The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Polytechnics in for major reforms

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 24, 2006

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Polytechnics in for major reforms

Special Correspondent

Package aims at providing institution-industry linkage

Thiruvananthapuram: Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer on Wednesday announced a reforms programme for 52 polytechnics in the State covering syllabus, examination system and modernisation of infrastructure.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Basheer said the semester examination system would replace the existing annual examinations from the 2006-07 academic year. This would arrest the academic slowdown, besides making the syllabus student-centric, livelier and inculcate commitment in students and teachers. With the introduction of semester system, polytechnic education would acquire uniformity in the southern States.

The first year's syllabus has been revised, while the second phase would cover the rest of the semesters. Noted educationists, teachers, both serving and retired, are participating in the workshops being held. Experts from various research establishments and industrial units such as Cochin University of Science and Technology, Vikram Sarabai Space Centre and Hindustan Latex are attending the workshop with a view to providing the institution-industry linkage.

The revised syllabus aims at equipping students with the skills suiting the respective industrial trades. The content would also be updated to suit modern needs. Mr. Basheer said that three hours a week would be set apart for developing soft skills mandatory for the diploma course. This process would ensure peer review and help in developing communication and English language skills of students.

Mr. Basheer said the Government had established a planning committee to examine whether polytechnic examinations could be computerised. With regard to the modernisation of infrastructure facilities, the Government proposed to pay attention to libraries and laboratories. The Government has given administrative sanction for these, besides earmarking Rs.2 crores for this project.

The Government was also seeking assistance from the Union Ministry for Human Resources Development. Under this scheme, 11 polytechnics would be given a financial assistance of Rs.25 lakhs each. Campus networking would be established in all government polytechnics. All departments would be linked through broadband Internet.

The Government would also introduce the Staff Development Programme to improve the quality of teaching in these technical institutions.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail