HP plans apprentice-embedded degree programmes, new vocational courses

shimla: himachal pradesh education minister rohit thakur on wednesday said the state government is planning to introduce apprentice-embedded degree programmes and expand vocational education initiatives to enhance students' employability and industry exposure.chairing a review meeting of the education department, thakur said the proposed apprentice-embedded degree programmes would provide opportunities for graduates to work with industries while receiving stipends, helping them develop practical skills and improve job prospects.the minister also said the government is considering the introduction of foreign language courses at the college level to equip students with global language skills and open up employment opportunities in international markets.highlighting the response to existing bachelor of vocational (b.voc.) programmes, he said four additional courses are proposed to be introduced under the vocational education framework.reviewing school education outcomes, thakur directed officials to conduct a detailed analysis of class x and class xii examination results and stressed the need for greater accountability among teachers. he said annual increments of consistently poor-performing teachers could be withheld, while salary deductions may be considered in cases of repeated non-compliance with biometric attendance requirements.the minister said horticulture has been introduced as a vocational subject in schools and instructed officials to expand the programme, particularly in horticulture-intensive regions of the state.he also directed the department to expedite the distribution of tablets to students through the direct benefit transfer (dbt) mode, enabling beneficiaries to purchase devices of their choice.officials informed the meeting that 148 government schools had obtained affiliation from the central board of secondary education during the current academic session. the minister said more schools would be brought under the cbse curriculum in the future.the government has allocated rs 19 crore for the repair and reconstruction of schools damaged in natural disasters during 2023 and 2025, officials said.