Three skill-development colleges to open in Maharashtra’s Nanded, Wardha - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Three skill-development colleges to open in Maharashtra’s Nanded, Wardha

Hindustan Times, Mumbai | By, Mumbai
Feb 05, 2019 05:26 PM IST

NONE IN CITY: Lack of skilled teachers in the state hurdle in offering more job-oriented courses

In a first, the state government has approved three degree colleges, two in Nanded and one in Wardha, that will exclusively offer job-oriented courses.

Mumbai University(Hindustan Times)
Mumbai University(Hindustan Times)

Students can pursue a number of courses such as BSc (finance), BA (administrative services) and BCom (banking).

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The institutes, which are part of a newly created category of skill-development colleges, are among the 111 new colleges approved by the government to be set up from the academic year 2019-20.

However, the Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and Development (MAHED), a government body chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, had provided for 86 slots for skill-development colleges, including eight in the region under the purview of University of Mumbai (MU).

The government has been pushing the state universities to include in their offerings programmes and institutes which provide vocational education to students according to the local requirements and make them more employable.

Last year, as part of the drive, the universities conducted surveys among students, teachers, industries and other stakeholders to determine what type of courses and colleges are required in different parts of the state.

The results of the surveys were incorporated in the universities’ perspective plans, which propose new colleges and courses in the varsity’s respective geographical areas.

Lack of skilled teachers in the state is the primary reason for the limited colleges in the new category.

“While the government has good intentions and experts are providing inputs, teachers are not ready for this kind of programmes. The universities are required to undertake capacity- building exercise to train teachers, who often resist any change in their work. It’s a catch-22 situation,” said a member of the MU management council, who consulted the universities in drafting the plans.

HT had earlier reported that MU did not receive a single application for skill-development colleges for the current cycle of approvals although the university, in its perspective plan, had provided eights slots for such colleges.

Zaheer Kazi, president, Anjuman-i-Islam, an educational organisation which runs several colleges in the city, said the government needs to have a better plan in place for the new institutes.

“Ideally, skill-development courses should be introduced in professional colleges which have the expertise. The availability of skilled instructors for these programmes is an issue. The initiative will take a longer time to materialise,” Kazi said.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections.Watch now!

Get latest news on Education, Bihar Board 12th Result 2024 Live along with Board Exam, Competitive Exam and Exam Result at Hindustan Times. Also get latest Job updates on Employment News
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Musab Qazi is a Trainee Correspondent, covering education. He generally writes about higher education policies in Maharashtra and new trends in the education sector.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On