Vocational education first: state of the education report for India 2020; Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET)

During the past decade, India has taken giant steps in the provision of TVET. This report describes the extensive infrastructure that has been set up since 2008, and the broad-based capacity for the provision of quality TVET created within the country during this period. It focuses on highlighting progress and achievements, describing the intense on-going activity around TVET provision, and outlining the directions for future growth through the implementation of the new NEP 2020. Prepared by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and commissioned by UNESCO New Delhi, the report identifies the key lessons learned from the efforts at TVET provision so far, and makes several recommendations for the way forward. Prepared during the pandemic, the report is based on material provided by – and gathered from interviews with – government and private sector functionaries, and specialists in the field. These were backed up with extensive desk research of national and international literature and the websites of key institutions. Given the very large scope of TVET provision across all age groups and various providers, the document focuses mainly on the role of state actors and providers, and to a lesser extent on non-state actors such as private-sector industry and businesses, and non-government organizations (NGOs). Regular interaction with editorial board members and their feedback and suggestions have helped strengthen the report and sharpen the recommendations.