Leh, Mar 10: The District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Leh on Sunday began a three-day training programme aimed at strengthening skill education and vocational learning in schools in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The capacity building programme is being attended by masters and teachers from PM SHRI Schools and the recently dedicated UT Model Schools across Leh district. The initiative seeks to equip educators with practical approaches to integrate vocational learning and skill-based education into regular classroom teaching.
As part of the workshop, a special online session on the “10 Bagless Days” initiative under NEP 2020 was conducted by Prof. Pankaj Mehta, State/UT Coordinator for the Union Territory of Ladakh. The session focused on orienting teachers on the concept and practical implementation of the programme, which is designed to provide students with hands-on exposure to vocational skills, local crafts and experiential learning.
Prof. Mehta emphasised the need to link classroom knowledge with real-life applications through practical activities and community-based learning experiences. He encouraged teachers to develop engaging learning modules that allow students to explore vocational skills while continuing their academic curriculum.
Around 60 teachers participating in the ongoing workshop joined the interactive session and exchanged ideas on how the Bagless Days initiative can be implemented effectively in schools across Ladakh. Participants appreciated the insights shared during the interaction and discussed strategies to incorporate practical skill exposure into school schedules.
The training programme is being coordinated by Ms. Tsering Yangdol, Head of Department at DIET Leh, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the implementation of vocational education in the school system.
A panel of resource persons drawn from education, handicrafts and design sectors is leading various sessions during the workshop. These include Sonam Dolkar, Principal of HSS Saspol and an innovator and artist; Tsetan Angchuk, a retired senior teacher and art expert; Urgain Yontan, a Thangka painting expert from the Handicrafts Department Leh; Rigzin Dorje from the Rural Building Centre of the Ladakh Ecological Development Group; designer Tashi Dorje; and pottery expert Skalzang Dorje from Likir.
During the inaugural session, the Principal of DIET Leh welcomed the resource persons by presenting khataks, a traditional gesture symbolising goodwill in Ladakhi culture. In his address, he underlined the role of skill development in education and urged teachers to actively engage in learning various art forms and vocational practices.
He observed that teachers have a central role in passing on traditional craft knowledge as well as modern creative practices to students, thereby encouraging creativity, self-reliance and respect for local cultural heritage.
The workshop will feature interactive discussions, demonstrations and practical sessions on traditional crafts, design and vocational skills. The programme has been designed to promote experiential learning in schools, in line with the broader educational framework envisioned under NEP 2020.
