VIJAYAWADA : The Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) is proposing to increase the number of teaching hours in all Government and aided junior colleges from next academic year to keep pace with corporate colleges in quality education and good results.

Studies conducted by BIE officials have revealed that the Government and aided colleges are giving 1,050 to 1,100 hours of teaching in the two-year intermediate course while corporate colleges engage students for 2,500 to 2,800 hours. The gap is to be filled by increasing the number of instruction hours, besides introducing study hours in each and every college.

A slew of measures

Underlining the need for imparting quality education to all students, Commissioner of Intermediate Education D. Chakrapani has said that there is also a proposal to minimise the number of holidays by making colleges to work on second Saturdays. Unless such measures are taken, it will not be possible to bridge the gap and help impart quality education to rural students.

Speaking at the annual day celebrations of Montessori Mahila Junior College on Friday, Mr. Chakrapani pointed out that in the past 10 to 15 years, education at Government and aided junior colleges lacked seriousness so much so that there was a demand for change from different quarters. Without going into reasons, steps were being taken for academic monitoring. Formation of academic guidance cells was also under consideration.

Focus on practice

Mr. Chakrapani said that introduction of reforms in Government and aided junior colleges should not be branded as bowing down to big institutions and their practices. "There is nothing like corporate culture. We have to agree that there is competition. Our students should be prepared to meet these challenges," Mr. Chakrapani said.

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