Guwahati, June 1: Those who did not do well or have under-performed in the matric exams, the results of which were declared yesterday, need not worry.

Dispur will collaborate with leading technical institutions like city-based Don Bosco Technical School to offer these students vocational courses to eke out suitable careers.

Sources in Dispur told The Telegraph that education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will soon sit with top officials of the department, academicians, entrepreneurs and technocrats to chalk out a comprehensive plan to create employment opportunities for those who do not clear matric and higher secondary examinations.

"The government in recent years was giving more importance to students who had come out with flying colours in matric and higher secondary examinations by announcing various schemes and opportunities for their careers. The government has been ignoring a huge chunk of youths who could not clear and do well in such exams. This has given rise to frustration among students who are not academically brilliant," a source said.

For example, 1,47,317 students yesterday could not clear the matric exams. Sources said if the government does not take a special scheme for these students, their future would be bleak.

Chairman of the Board of Secondary Education, Assam, Dhandev Mahanta, said the board is also worried about the future of its failed students and under-performers and there is an urgent need to launch a scheme or policy by the government to create suitable career opportunities for them. He said effective vocational training is one of the best solutions for such unsuccessful students.

According to the education minister, vocational education will allow young people to have rewarding careers in multiple fields in our expanding economy, helping themselves as well as Assam.

Sources said the government is exploring possibilities of a tie-up with old and renowned vocational institutes like Don Bosco Technical School at Maligaon. The institute, which was set up 48 years ago to impart technical education to the poor youth of the state, has so far produced several thousands technically equipped youths who have found gainful employment.

Fr Benny, the director of the technical school, told The Telegraph that his institute is ready to accommodate students who are not academically brilliant. "We admit students who have studied till Class VIII. Those who have failed matric or higher secondary exams must not waste time and should join our short and long-term courses so that they can find jobs," he said.

Don Bosco Maligaon has produced more than 3,000 skilled youths with 80 per cent placement in the last three years.