IGNOU 2011- Ignou's Nagpur centre develops vocational courses for prisoners
The world's largest open university, Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou), has started vocational courses for prisoners to give them employable skills upon their release. The four certificate courses have been developed and designed by Ignou's Nagpur regional centre.
Bipin Bihari, additional DIG (prisons), said, "There is a lot of manpower available in jails and they need something constructive. There are prisoners who are good at certain skill, but we wanted people to learn the entire trade. We then approached Ignou's Nagpur regional centre and asked if they can develop a course for prisoners. It had never been done, but the Ignou Nagpur centre managed to pull it off."
The course material was finally developed in collaboration with the Central Jail and two other Ignou community colleges. P Sivaswaroop, regional director, Ignou, said, "We visited the jail and tried to understand what their capabilities and needs are. After extensive research we came up with four vocational courses for which we will give them certificates."
IGNOU will offer certificate courses in carpentry, welding, bakery products and garment design. "The courses are designed and developed based on the infrastructure available within the jail premises. The course will give more importance to practical work than theory," said Sivaswaroop.
Ignou vice-chancellor VN Rajasekharan Pillai had come from Delhi specifically for the inauguration of the programme. Pillai said, "This is a step in the right direction and I hope Ignou can contribute to the betterment of society. We will continue our endeavour to add value to our courses so that more people derive benefit from them."
Another interesting thing about the course is that it can be taught inside the jail by prisoners themselves. These prisoners have been trained by Ignou and are now ready to teach their fellow inmates. Bihari said, "Ignou identified which of the people here had the necessary skill sets and trained them. It will also give a boost to the self confidence of these prisoners, and upon their release they will be able to utilize their skills for employment."
Sadashiv Rodke (name changed), a prisoner who enrolled for the course, said, "I used to work at a carpenter's shop a couple of years ago and hence I have enrolled in the same course here. I think getting the certificate will help me get a good job or maybe even start my own business once I am released."
Ignou has waived off all fees for prisoners who enrol in their courses, and so far 48 prisoners have registered for the six-month vocational courses. A total of 160 prisoners have enrolled from the Central Jail for various education courses being offered by Ignou.
The world's largest open university, Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou), has started vocational courses for prisoners to give them employable skills upon their release. The four certificate courses have been developed and designed by Ignou's Nagpur regional centre.
Bipin Bihari, additional DIG (prisons), said, "There is a lot of manpower available in jails and they need something constructive. There are prisoners who are good at certain skill, but we wanted people to learn the entire trade. We then approached Ignou's Nagpur regional centre and asked if they can develop a course for prisoners. It had never been done, but the Ignou Nagpur centre managed to pull it off."
The course material was finally developed in collaboration with the Central Jail and two other Ignou community colleges. P Sivaswaroop, regional director, Ignou, said, "We visited the jail and tried to understand what their capabilities and needs are. After extensive research we came up with four vocational courses for which we will give them certificates."
IGNOU will offer certificate courses in carpentry, welding, bakery products and garment design. "The courses are designed and developed based on the infrastructure available within the jail premises. The course will give more importance to practical work than theory," said Sivaswaroop.
Ignou vice-chancellor VN Rajasekharan Pillai had come from Delhi specifically for the inauguration of the programme. Pillai said, "This is a step in the right direction and I hope Ignou can contribute to the betterment of society. We will continue our endeavour to add value to our courses so that more people derive benefit from them."
Another interesting thing about the course is that it can be taught inside the jail by prisoners themselves. These prisoners have been trained by Ignou and are now ready to teach their fellow inmates. Bihari said, "Ignou identified which of the people here had the necessary skill sets and trained them. It will also give a boost to the self confidence of these prisoners, and upon their release they will be able to utilize their skills for employment."
Sadashiv Rodke (name changed), a prisoner who enrolled for the course, said, "I used to work at a carpenter's shop a couple of years ago and hence I have enrolled in the same course here. I think getting the certificate will help me get a good job or maybe even start my own business once I am released."
Ignou has waived off all fees for prisoners who enrol in their courses, and so far 48 prisoners have registered for the six-month vocational courses. A total of 160 prisoners have enrolled from the Central Jail for various education courses being offered by Ignou.
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