The one-year course is meant for students who have appeared for the class X examinations. “The syllabus covers details about animal husbandry, agriculture and poultry and includes material, energy and environment with a rural perspective. Health and home management is also a part of this course,” said Geetanjali Degaonkar, president of Astitva Pratishthan.

The course will train a batch of 40 students. It is specially designed for marathi-speaking students and has marathi as a medium of instruction. The course is affiliated to the National Institute of Open Schooling, Delhi. Being a residential course, the fees is Rs 12,000, including lodging.

Astitva Pratishthan also runs Sakhar Shala (bridge schools) meant for children of sugarcane harvesting labourers, who are dropouts because they migrate from Marathwada region during the annual harvest season. “We also hope to help these students through this one-year diploma course,” Degaonkar said.