Yes, the biggest game changer in this budget is the announcement that Rs. 1000 crore would be provided to the NSDC for giving an award of Rs.10,000 to any student who passes a national skill evaluation examination that NSDC would put into place.
This single move will immediately transform the present structure or shape of the Vocational Education across India. Here is how an spokesperson explains about the impact of budget on Vocation Education.
It creates a national standard for skills. Currently several standards of skills exists, many promoted by state bodies, ITI's, Khasi and Village Industries Commission and a variety of other certification bodies. NSDC becomes a national certification body, much like the Central Body of Secondary Education, which will soon complete for respectability and credibility in the face of corroding standards of state level examinations.
Moreover, the award becomes a clever way of reimbursing the fees to students who pass the qualifying standards. It provides a scholarship only after passing the test, not before. Also, it allows for private training institutes, for instance, Nokia and samsung could train people on how to repair mobile phones. What matters is that the student passes the certifying examination. It does not have to be a recognized or state approved educational institute. Expect more private play of quality training by private players.
However, it is a wait and watch moment to know how quickly and effectively NSDC can create the template for outcome based national certification examinations for each skill and how to avoid duplication of prize money to a person who is already a superbly skilled person and who opts to appear for and pass a basic examination for say an electrician and then as advanced examination, and further collects three times the prize money.
On the whole point of view about this scheme, it seems quite brilliant in order to promote skills and private initiative.