New Delhi, July 25 -- From learning basic carpentry skills, building hydroponics, designing home automation circuits to caring for animals and creating ethical advertisements for local businesses, the new National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) Class 8 vocational education activity book introduces students to six hands-on projects aimed at blending practical skills with cultural and environmental awareness among them. The book roots vocational education in India's traditional knowledge - from Atharva Veda's ecological ethics in woodworking to indigenous veterinary remedies and historical floating farms of Dal Lake and Loktak Lake. Developed in alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023 provisions, the 202-page book titled 'Kaushal Bodh,' asks schools to organise 'Kaushal Mela,' an end-of-year exhibition where students would display self-made products and services, share their learning experiences, and engage with peers, teachers, and community members to celebrate skills and creativity. In NCF-SE 2023, work has been categorised under three broad forms: work with life forms (plants, animals, farming); work with machines and materials (carpentry, electronics, automation); and work in human services (advertising, entrepreneurship, community engagement). Under NCF-SE, students are expected to take up nine projects across Class 6 to 8 with three projects in each class and one from each form of work. Project 1 on hydroponics teaches students about soil-less farming. Project 2 covers animal care which blends science and indigenous wisdom. Project 3 on wood and bamboo work builds basic carpentry skills using eco-friendly materials. Project 4 on home automation introduces beginner electronics and Internet of Things (IoT), while Project 5 on water audit focuses on water conservation Project 6 on creating advertisements develops creativity and media literacy among students by encouraging them to design posters, jingles, and reels for local businesses. "The choice of projects is left entirely to schools. One project may be taken up by students or preferably, the school can design other projects based on local considerations," reads the about the book section Jyoti Arora, principal of Mount Abu Public School in Rohini in Delhi, said that the vocational education books provide hands-on learning experiences to students. "...Vocational education books raise awareness among students about the environment at a young age which is important for sustainable development.." she said....