Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar said that Technical Education will be upgraded as per Skill gap analysis of each sector in all the districts so that skill upgradation of youth can be done keeping in view the recent trends and modern technologies to increase the employment avenues across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.The Advisor made these comments while chairing the 19th Board meeting of Board of Technical Education (BOTE) at Civil Secretariat here.The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary SDD, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon; Director SDD, Sudershan Kumar; Director Industries and Commerce, Kashmir, Tazayun Mukhtar; Director General Budget, M.Y Itoo; Chief Engineer, R&B, Kashmir, Showkat Jeelani; Secretary, BOTE, representatives of IUST, NIT, PEAKS Auto and other institutes.Addressing the meeting, Advisor Bhatnagar said that Technical education and skill development are vital for the development of society as technology and technological requirements are need of hour to keep pace with the modern world.“There are concerted efforts to improve the infrastructure, install modern machinery and improve the faculty in Technical institutions” Advisor Bhatnagar said.He added that the SDD has a pivotal role for enhancing the Skills of youth and emphasis should be given to impart requisite proficiencies to them so that they can get gainful employment or create employability avenues for themselves.
While highlighting the need for introducing the new courses and trades in ITIs and Polytechnics, Advisor Bhatnagar asked the officers to study the feasibility and relevance of ongoing trades in all ITIs and Polytechnic Colleges. The course structure of all the Skill institutes should be revamped as per the needs of today’s industrial establishments.The Advisor directed the officers that while starting any new trade or course in Skill institutes, the factor of employability should be taken into consideration.Underlining the importance for bringing reforms in conduct of examination and evaluation practices of the BOTE, the Advisor directed the officers for installation of CCTV cameras in examination and evaluation halls with single control room for constant monitoring.Advisor Bhatnagar also asked the officers to use the capacity of existing Polytechnics and ITIs effectively and emphasis should be given to fill all the seats in these institutions.The Advisor further stressed on the officers to give wide publicity to Pragati scheme also through the School Education Department so that maximum students will take benefits of this scheme.The Advisor also emphasised that the income and expenditure statements as well as assets and liabilities should be consolidated on yearly basis besides Auditors' report should also be prepared on yearly basis.During the meeting the Board took some significant decisions for the smooth functioning of BOTE.The Board decided to appoint a committee with members from SDD, R&B Jammu/Kashmir and estates department to look into the issue of requirements of office spaces of BOTE and renovation works at existing offices.The Board also decided that as per the AICTE guidelines and instructions of J&K administration, the physical classes and practical work should be started under proper norms of Covid Appropriate Behaviour.