Berhampur: When the admission of girl students in male dominated ITIs at all India level is 15 per cent, the government run Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Odisha’s Berhampur has topped the list in the country with 37 per cent.
Out of the total seats of 2016 in 27 different trades, 745 girl students and 1271 boys took admission in ITI Berhampur during 2023-24 educational session. “We are happy that more girl students are interested now to join in ITI”, said Principal of the Institute, Dr Rajat Kumar Panigrahi.
The rush of girls for ITI courses started since 2016-17 and it has been increasing every year except in 2022-23. The number of girl students was 49 during 2012-13, 27 in 2013-14, 32 in 2014-15, 61 in 2015-16, 70 in 2016-17, 153 in 2017-18, 301 in 2018-19, 276 in 2019-20, 430 in 2020-21, 470 in 2021-22, 430 in 2022-23 and 745 in 2023-24, according to ITI sources.
Girls have outnumbered boys in various trades including computer operator and programming assistant with 106:14, Sewing Technology with 71:9 and Technician Mechatronics with 14:10. Not a single girl took admission in Foundryman trade and Marine Engine Fitter. But interestingly, 148 girls have been admitted in Electrician trade out of 360 seats, 26 girls in Electronics Mechanic trade out of 72 seats, 143 girls in Fitter trade out of 460 seats.
More girl students are coming for admission in ITI since the government has started a new scheme ‘Sudakhya’ which takes the responsibility of maintenance charges of girls up to 1500 per month, free uniform, admission and book. Well-furnished hostels are being provided to attract the girls from rural areas, said Rajat Kumar Panigrahi. The Govt is trying hard to increase the girl’s percentage in ITIs of the country. Several schemes benefitted to Girls have been implemented to attract the girls to vocational education.
“More girls are coming to ITI Berhampur as we have introduced qualitative training with an aim of cent percent placement in government and renowned companies,” said Dr Panigrah.
Girls have already got jobs in reputed companies both in public and private sectors, he said.
The girls are being trained in various sectors of waste-to-wealth and they are earning while learning, said the principal.
