Vijayawada: Education Minister Botsa Satyanarayana has said the state government aims to upgrade the skills of students to make them globally competitive. This would be done by introducing a series of reforms like the introduction of English as a medium of instruction and CBSE syllabus in government schools.
Talking on the new education policy at an event held under the aegis of the collegiate and higher education department here on Thursday, the minister said the state was according top priority to skill development.
“Once the students pass out from the colleges, they could go and acquire skills required for the industries. To promote this concept, we have set up a special portfolio for skill development in the state cabinet,” the minister said.
The minister appreciated the role of officials in developing a new curriculum linking higher education with skill development. “This was not being practised anywhere in the country. Some 1.40 lakh students are undergoing training with Microsoft.”
He said the state entered into an agreement with the National Stock Exchange to train students in this field.
Maintaining that every paisa being spent on the students was not only for their welfare but also to ensure their bright future, the minister said that under Nadu-Nedu programme, “we are developing government schools, introducing new courses and making efforts to set up two junior colleges in each mandal and one degree colleges in each assembly segment.”
Higher education principal secretary Syamala Rao said no state in the country was spending such a huge amount on education as AP is doing now.
State council of higher education chairman Hemachandra Reddy lauded the education system being followed in the state, saying this would help the students get employment soon after they complete their education. “The government is making changes in the curriculum and providing skill development to them.”
Collegiate education commissioner Pola Bhaskar said, “We are promoting skill development and life skill courses in such a way that the students, soon after completing their studies, would get employment and sources of earning.”
Minister Botsa released text books of 17 courses for students and unveiled a logo developed with the theme of ‘Student, family and community.’
