'Make substantive changes in curriculum from school level'

Bemoaning the trend of fewer candidates from Tamil Nadu getting into civil services and premier institutes like IITs and IIMs,defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman today urged the state to make substantive changes in the curriculum from school level to revive the numbers.

Sitharaman, who was taking part in the 150th anniversary celebrations of Lady Sivaswami Girls Higher Secondary School here, also urged the girls to get into the armed forces.

"There used to be at least three out of 10 candidates in IAS and foreign services from Tamil Nadu... Today all those numbers have reduced. I still don't understand why...

Our presence in governance, research and development and in institutions like IITs, IIMs and IISs has seen a reduction," she added.

She suggested to education minister K A Sengottaiyan,who was also present, that the curriculum be made more dynamic and challeinging.

"If substantive changes are brought into the curriculum, we will be able to revive the numbers and make our presence felt in every institution," she said.

Urging girls students to get into the armed forces, she said it was missing in every school, though it was not a shortcoming of any school.

"I want more girls in the armed forces," she said.

Industries minister M C Sampath along with eminent almuni were also present on the occasion.