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Advocacy 1) Government recognition Government has granted recognition to following three prevocational programs. V1 – Introduction to basic technology V2 - Elements of mechanical engineering V3 - Elements of electrical engineering However, the number of schools offering the pre-vocational courses has remained the same since 1999. Government did not grant fresh permission for opening pre-vocational schools since 1999. When it was decided to launch project PLAN 100, first hurdle was to get permission to run IBT program in new schools. A proposal was submitted to the Technical Education Ministry and Director of Vocational Education. After much follow-up, the government gave permission to start V1 i.e. IBT program in 100 schools. While doing this, we could persuade the Government to introduce a system of inviting applications from schools for starting the IBT program. From 2007, Directorate of Vocational Education started publishing advertisement in newspapers inviting applications from the interested school for opening of 'pre-vocational programme. This was first such advertisement after a gap of nearly 8 years. In response to the advertisement, 239 schools got permission to start pre-vocational programme. Out of which 126 schools got permission to start IBT (V1) course. This was an important breakthrough with the government and the bureaucracy. 2) Pre-vocational as a core subject With the support of ‘Purskarit Shikshak Sangathana' (association of teachers who have received special acknowledgement for their work as teachers from the government) led by Mr.Anandrao Patil, an appeal was made to the Government of Maharashtra to make 'prevocational programme a core subject at the secondary school level. Rural Development Through Education System ► 273
