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4.27 The pass percentage of students in higher secondary courses has decreased to 69.66% in
2013-14 from 70.78 % in 2012-13. During 2014, 6980 students secured A+ for all subjects and
277041 students were eligible for higher studies. The details are given in Appendices 4.19 & 4.20.
The pass percentage of SC and ST students in Higher Secondary schools also decreased in 2013-
14 compared to 2012-13. The pass percentage of SC students decreased from 57.28% to 53.78%
and ST students from 51.83 % to 49.14% during 2013-14. Details are given in Appendices 4.21 and
4.22.

Vocational Higher Secondary Education

4.28 Vocational Higher Secondary Education was introduced in the state in 1983-84. Vocational
Higher Secondary Education in the state impart education at plus two level with the objective to
achieve self/direct employment as well as vertical mobility. 389 Vocational Higher Secondary Schools
are there in the state with a total of 1100 batches. Out of this, 261 schools are in the Government
sector and 128 in the Aided sector. Kollam District (52 nos) has the largest number of Vocational
Higher Secondary Schools in the state. District wise details of Vocational Higher Secondary Schools
and courses during 2014-15 are given in Appendix. 4.23.

4.29 The percentage of students eligible for higher education in Vocational Higher Secondary
examination in 2014 March is 89.16%, while the pass percentage in 2013 March was 85.35%.
The number of students who appeared and those who have passed Vocational Higher Secondary
examination from the year 2009 to 2014 and the results of school going students are given in
Appendices 4.24 & 4.25.

University and Higher Education

4.30 Higher education is essential to build a workforce capable of underpinning a modern, competitive
economy. The XIIth Plan Document states that higher education needs to be viewed as a long-term
social investment for the promotion of economic growth, cultural development, social cohesion, equity
and justice. It is viewed that there must be a strategic shift from mere expansion to improvement
in quality higher education. As a consequence, enrolment in higher education would have to be
significantly increased in a demand driven manner.

4.31 Government of India is proposing a new scheme named Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan
for funding the State Universities and Colleges. The scheme is envisaged as a prime vehicle for
strategic funding of state institutions so as to ensure that the issues of access, equity and quality are
addressed in an equitable manner with the state as a composite unit of planning. More details on the
subject is available at www.mhrd.gov.in

4.32 There are a total of 14 universities functioning in the state. Out of these, four universities
viz. Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi, Calicut and Kannur are general in nature and are offering various
courses. Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Cochin University of Science and Technology,
Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University,
Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala University of Health Sciences, Kerala University of Fisheries
and Ocean Studies and Kerala Technological University offer specialized courses in specified subject
areas. Besides these, the National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) established in
2005 and the Central University established in Kasargod district are also functioning.

Kerala State Planning Board