Brochure of Vocational Training for Mentally Handicapped : Chapter III

Brochure of Vocational Training for Mentally Handicapped : Chapter III

The stages of VOCATIONAL TRAINING are
A) Preparation for vocational training
B) Trial vocational period
C) Apprentice period

A. PREPARATION FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING (Chronological age 14 to 17 years)
This training starts when the child is in school, full day under school curriculum. The main object is to make the student ready for any work situation. The components are :

i) A balanced physical curriculum :- It includes,

a) activities like free . play, walking, running, hopping, jumping, breathing exercises etc.
b) ball games like, throwing and catching, bouncing a ball, kicking & running with the ball
c) observation by the teacher that the student is maintaining good health, good sight, good hearing etc. This will help improve motor ability, co-ordination of eye-hand-object, ability to pick up a match stick with the help of first finger and thumb etc.

ii) Exploration of his ability :

a) to recognise colours
b) to understand instructions, ‘come here’, ‘go there’, ‘please hand over this book to Mr. X’ etc.
c) to distinguish shapes like, round, square, triangle, etc., to distinguish between high & low, heavy and light, thick and thin, hot and cold etc.
“Universal love and toleration is the goals of human progress.”
Jain Religious teacher – Mahabir

B. THE TRIAL VOCATIONAL PERIOD : (Chronological age 17 to 19 years)
During this period the student attends the school for the first half of the day and attends the Vocational Training Centre for the other half, for determining each student’s vocational aptitude, liking, ability, skills etc., He is allowed to see all the departments, the main aim is to ascertain what work he likes most and where he fits in to work.
i) The degree of handicap of the person/student is examined thoroughly. The students medical history sheet is also studied carefully.
ii) Constant watch is kept on the student’s moods, temperaments, and his emotional part. An assessment of his inclination to work is done. Now an atmosphere of his being `wanted’ is created.
(The assessment of the students’ emotional development is to be considered with reference to the work or vocation that he would be expected to take up).
iii) Student’s interest in his work is watched very carefully. In case he likes to work, efforts should be made to establish his endurance. This will give enough evidence of student’s aptitude and suitability.

C. THE APPRENTICE PERIOD :
(Chronological age 19 to 22 years) – depending upon how soon he learns)
This is a full day programme under actual working conditions providing every opportunity to develop his work skills. Emphasis is laid on the following instructions :
(i) The importance of being punctual and regular every morning and every day.
(ii} The need that the student should care for the material and equipment he works with.

(iii) The training that he receives, should enable him to perform his work well.
(iv) The development of self confidence, honesty, courtesy and a sense of duty.

Only thereafter, the rehabilitation or employment or placement programme should be considered.

“The most important outcome of education is to help students become independent of formal education.”

Paul Gray – in Technology Review

“Education is a sensitive plant grown in the free atmosphere of mutual confidence.”

Indian Scientist – Sir F’ C. Ray

“When a nation gives birth to a great man, who is able to produce a great thought, another is born who is able to understand and admire it.”

French Moralist – Joubert