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Bid to boost education in J&K in a big way

Centre to set up 14 degree colleges in the State

New Delhi: Using education as a tool, the Union Government has charted out a plan to set up 14 degree colleges and two polytechnics in Jammu and Kashmir to help youth get employment in the militancy-hit State.

According to a blue print prepared by the HRD Ministry, eight new degree colleges including a women's college in Jammu region and six new degree colleges, including one for women, in Srinagar region would be started from the next academic session.

In the Srinagar region, the colleges would be set-up in Baramulla, two in Badgam and one in Anantnag, while in Jammu region, there would be three colleges each in Jammu and Kathua and one each in Poonch and Rajouri. The new colleges were being accommodated in the existing government buildings and regular lecturers and non-teaching staff have also been posted in all the new colleges, the document said.

To promote vocational training among youth, two polytechnics have been sanctioned at Leh and Kargil. Seats in BE courses for students of J&K outside the State would be enhanced from 14 to 20 and for polytechnics from five to 50 from 2005/06 onward, the document said.

The polytechnic in Leh would give diplomas in Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering and Travel, Tourism and Hotel Management each for a duration of three years.

The polytechnic at Kargil would have three-year diploma course in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. The Board of Technical Education has granted affiliation to both the Polytechnics. The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has been approached for recognition to the courses. A letter of intent has since been issued by the AICTE, it said. Keeping in view the hardships faced by Kashmiri migrants, the Ministry has asked Vice-Chancellors of all Universities to ensure certain concessions to them during the 2005/06 academic session.

The Chairman of AICTE has also been requested for issuing similar instructions in respect of technical institutions under its purview.

To promote education at the grassroot levels, ten Kendriya Vidyalayas were set up during 2003/04 while the Navodayala Vidyala Samiti established 14 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, one each in Jammu, Budgaum, Baramula, Kupwara, Srinagar, Anantnag, Kargil, Leh, Poonch, Pulwama, Doda, Udahmpur, Kathua and Rajauri districts.

-- PTI

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Bid to boost education in J&K in a big way

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