Thiruvananthapuram: The Vocational Higher Secondary Schools (VHSS) in Kerala will soon cease to exist as the state government has decided to merge vocational studies with formal education. The new curriculum incorporates vocational studies starting from class 5. This will help in making the students job-ready by the time they finish class 12.

A draft recommendation has been made in this regard. As part of the reforms, an expert committee has suggested opening up skill development centres across the state.  

VHSE has been functioning in lines with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). The course content has always been updated in tandem with the changing trends.  

With the reforms, the posts of vocational teachers will now be put under the bracket of vanishing category. However the changes by no means will affect the permanently appointed teachers who are currently in service.

NCERT will introduce a new curriculum at the higher secondary level starting from 2026. As part of the changes, VHSEs shall be merged with the current higher secondary. Vocation teachers will be transferred to skill development centres and other schools respectively.