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The appeal emphasized the need to make 'work based education' as an integral part of the curriculum. Several meetings of teachers were held and many followup meeting with ministers took place. The State Minister of Education, Mr.Hassan Mushriff, appointed a committee to study the programme. Accordingly, committee of Director of School Education and Vocational Education and MPSP (Maharashtra Prathamik Shikshan Parishad) visited the VA. They expressed satisfaction over the programme. Since the Government wanted to concentrate only upto 8th grade under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Universalization of education program), they requested VA to design a work- education programme for 5th to 7th std. A proposal was submitted to Government. Accordingly MPSP sanctioned a pilot project for 20 schools in 4 districts (Pune, Amaravati, Sangli, Kohapur). VA published book 'Jeevanopayogi shikshan handbook (For life-skill based education)'. The program was implemented successfully in the year 2006-07. Evaluation done by MPSP expressed satisfaction over the programme. But due to lack of enthusiasm from MPSP and Zillha Parishad, funding was stopped after the first year. 3) A meeting was held in Mantralaya in presence of the Cabinet Minister for Technical Education Mr.Dilip Walse Patil and Education Minister Mr.Vasant Purke on 7th October 08. Another meeting was held on 27th Jan. 09 in the presence of Education Minister Dr.Patangrao Kadam and Technical Education Minister Mr. Rajesh Tope. In principle, they agreed the demand of making pre-vocational programme as part of core subject. They asked SSC board chairman to study syllabus of CBSE and international board and submit a proposal. 4) The VA also made a presentation before focus group on 'Work and Education' by NCERT for Developing 'National curriculum Rural Development Through Education System 274
