There are few opportunities at the university level for students who have opted for dance or purchasing and storekeeping in school. Delhi University has just the College of Vocational Studies (CVS) and two colleges offering home science and food technology. CVS has around 600 seats. Other colleges offer a sprinkling of courses like office management and secretarial practice, computer application, advertising and industrial relations.

Subjects like painting are not considered by the university when students go for admission at the undergraduate level. Professor N.C. Sengupta, principal of the College of Art says: ``It is really unfortunate. In fact, we have written to the university on the issue. They have not agreed. We are the only college which takes painting marks into consideration.''

But university officials still say that the existing courses are not being exploited enough. ``There are a number of openings in Delhi University for students who opted for a vocational courses,'' says Dr S.S. Rana, Dean of Colleges. ``Of course, there are certain courses that don't fit in the non-technical areas of the university. But there is a lot of scope for students who have a vocational grounding at the school level.''

CVS is the one college which actually gives a student with a background in a vocational subject special consideration. ``We add 1.25 per cent to the score of a student who has taken tourism in school and is applying for the same subject in our college. We provide training and placement to these students as well.''

Not everyone is convinced. R.C. Shekhar, principal of Gyan Bharati school says: ``Parents don't want their children to take up these courses. There is no coordination between the university and the Board.'' Admitting a lack of interaction, CBSE officials however claim that a majority of the schools in the city don't even know these options exist. Subsequently students are being given the same old choices.

There are simple rules for a school that wants to teach a subject like nursing. G. Balasubramanian, director (academic) at CBSE, says: ``There is an affiliation process schools have to go through. CBSE requirements are simple. In cases of subjects with professional linkages, schools need to have a tie-up with players in the field. If it is nursing they need to be linked with a hospital in the neighbourhood.''

``Economic viability is definitely a major consideration. A number of the subjects in the vocational stream need infrastructure and investment. With not too many students opting for these subjects, schools cannot just give them as an option,'' says Meenu Goswami, principal of Apeejay School, Sheikh Sarai.