Impart market-driven skills to students to enhance their employability: Chief Secy

Srinagar, Sep 11: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today took a detailed review of the working of the Board of Technical Education (JKBOTE) here during which he emphasised on imparting hands-on training and quality teaching to the students in the technical institutions of the UT.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, School Education Department; Secretary, Skill Development Department; Director SDD; Secretary BOTE; Registrar BOTE, besides other concerned officers.

The Chief Secretary took this occasion to impress upon the board to make the polytechnic colleges and Industrial Training Institutions (ITIs) the hub of training wherefrom quality manpower is produced for industrial and technical nature of the jobs available in the market.

He maintained that such institutions are least meant for providing theory lessons but chiselling the talent of-the candidates to turn them into astute professionals well-versed in their respective trades.

Dulloo further maintained that in order to enhance the employability of these pass-outs and to increase the traction of these technical courses among the students, the board should make the examination process strict with focus on imparting market-driven skills to them.

He also advised for taking necessary measures to determine the equivalence of these diplomas given by polytechnic colleges with respect to the mainstream courses offered by the School Education Department. He also asked for making the lateral entry into these courses smooth and hassle-free for the interesting candidates.

The Secretary, BOTE, Shaista Shamim presented the detailed picture of the mandate, working and achievements of the Board. She revealed that the nose dive in seeking of admissions in technical education institutions during past few years had been tackled well by creating awareness in schools here.

She also apprised the meeting about the current trend in seeking of admissions along with that of the courses and colleges in demand. She gave out that the board offers admissions and conduct examinations for nearly 3500 candidates in 26 polytechnic colleges and 84 ITIs of J&K.

It was further disclosed that during the ensuing and previous academic sessions the admissions reached to about 95% with pass percentage of around 70%.

Regarding the implementation of NEP-2020, it was added that the same was successfully adopted in JKBOTE for all Polytechnics of J&K. It was said that the registration of JKBOTE with National Academic Depository (NAD), DigiLocker and Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) Portal has also been done for the overall benefit of the students.

Regarding the conduct of examinations it was informed that these are held timely with declaration of results as per the examination/academic calendar issued on the commencement of the session.

It was further given out that all the services of JKBOTE are offered in online mode which has substantially minimized the footfall of students visit to JKBOTE for the redressal of their grievances.