Introduction
The development objective for Nai Manzil is education and skills training for Minorities Project for India is to improve completion of secondary education and market-driven skills training for targeted youth from minority communities.Nai Manzil aims to engage constructively with poor Minority youth and help them obtain sustainable and gainful employment opportunities that can facilitate them to be integrated with mainstream economic activities.The scheme offers non-residential integrated education and skill training for 9-12 months, of which 3 months are devoted to skill training. The Scheme also provides job placement and post placement support. This is the first World Bank supported programme for minority welfare in the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The Scheme is also significant as it combines education with skills for school drop outs with an aim to enhance their employability.
Nai Manzil scheme has 2 major components –
Education Component–The education component of the Nai Manzil scheme aims to integrate disadvantaged minority youth who were left out from formal schooling by helping them attain certification from National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or any State Open School. Under Nai Manzil, candidates are either offered OBE level ‘C’ (equivalent to Class VIII) course or the ‘Secondary Level Examination Programme, depending on the candidate’s eligibility.
Skill Training Component – Nai Manzil offers skill training compliant with National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). The skill training programme is of a minimum of 3 months duration and includes soft skills, basic IT and basic English training. The Scheme lays special focus on skill courses that are aligned at NSQF Level 3 or above, so that the students by the scheme have access to better jobs in the labour market. Training on Health and Life Skills is also imparted to the beneficiaries.
Specific objectives of the project for the next five yearsare as follows:
- Mobilise youth from minority communities who are school drop-outs and provide them with formal education and certification up to level 8th or 10th through National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or other State open schooling systems.
- As part of the programme, provide integrated Skill Training to the youth in market driven skills.
-Provide placements to at least 70% of the trained youth in jobs which would earn them basic minimum wages and provide them with other social protection entitlements like Provident Funds, Employee State Insurance (ESI) etc.
-Raise awareness and sensitization in health and life skills.