AICTE chief stresses on need to teach science subjects in mother tongue
AICTE
) chairman T G Sitharam while addressing the press on the sidelines of Njana Sabha organized by Shiksha Sanskriti Uttan Nyas.
Sitharam said that the successful rollout of engineering textbooks in regional languages is ongoing, including the release of Malayalam texts last year. He cited the example of Maharashtra, where a batch of engineering students graduated entirely in Marathi and secured 100% placement, proving that learning in regional languages ensures employability.
He urged stakeholders to embrace mother tongue instruction in fields like engineering and medicine to ensure inclusivity for those less proficient in English.
Sitharam also spoke on AICTE's efforts to enrich education with Indian ethos and ethics. He said universal Human Values (UHV), offered as a minor course with 12-18 credits, has gained widespread acceptance among students and faculty alike, with lakhs of teachers trained to conduct these courses.
While acknowledging the closure of some institutions, he clarified that this is due to the removal of intake caps, leading to increased capacity in quality institutions.
"Across India, including Kerala, engineering seats have gone up by 15% over the last two years," he said.
He also noted a significant development in international education, stating that 11 foreign universities are set to begin operations in India, with approvals already in place for campuses in Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat. He also said India's higher education enrolment is currently at 4.3 crore and is projected to touch 9 crore by 2035, he added.
Former Union minister of education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, who presided over the closing day of the ceremony, said that since ancient times India has been a destination for knowledge seekers and philosophical teachers from around the world. "Universities like Takshashila and Nalanda attracted numerous students to India. Indian education focuses on three main aspects - culture, language, and knowledge. The Indian tradition of knowledge is enriched by many scholars such as Patanjali, Sushruta, Bhaskaracharya, and Chanakya," he said.
He said the new National Education Policy (NEP) aims to realise dreams like Swachh Bharat, Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat, transforming India into a global leader.
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