VIJAYAWADA: For the first time, polytechnic students in Andhra Pradesh have started getting textbooks as approved by the State Board of Technical Education and Training (SBTET).
As per directives of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, these textbooks will enable polytechnic students to prepare for national and international-level competitions, SBTET chairperson Chadalavada Nagarani explained.
Nagarani, who is also the commissioner of technical education, disclosed that a total of 46 authors and 20 editors have contributed their expertise in preparing the custom-made textbooks for polytechnic students. The content of these books has been designed as per guidelines of the National Board of Accreditation to improve the learning outcomes among students.
The technical education commissioner explained that many textbooks had been available in various subjects for polytechnic students to pursue their subjects. But they came at a high price and lacked validity in terms of subject knowledge. Polytechnic students, particularly those coming from rural backgrounds, faced considerable difficulties.
Board of Technical Education and Training thus decided to prepare good quality textbooks and laboratory manuals at low cost.
Nagarani said the exercise of preparing textbooks and manuals started in May. In coordination with public and private polytechnic colleges, editorial committees of senior faculty members had been constituted in each subject. These committees finalised the textbooks and manuals based on learning outcomes of the emerging times. These will prepare students to participate in national and international-level competitions.
The technical education commissioner said in the past, buying a textbook cost at least ₹200 to ₹300. But now, the same textbooks with better content are available at a price of less than ₹100. She announced that further, State Board of Technical Education and Training is offering a special discount of another 20 per cent on the printed price.
Nagarani said for the current academic year (2023-2024), 17 theory textbooks and 10 lab manuals have been published in six fields, involving automobile, civil, mechanical, electronics and communication, electrical and electronics, and computer engineering departments.
