Govt to set up a technical institute for workers

University to bridge gap between demand and supply.

The government is considering setting up a workers' university to impart technical education.

In response to a question in the parliament, Minister of State in the HRD ministry, MAA Fatmi said a committee under the chairmanship of GS Reddy had been set up to study the prospects of establishing a workers' technical university.

"The government wants to address the gap between the demand and supply of technically qualified personnel," said Fatmi.

The budget allocated for education for the year 2005-06 has been increased to Rs 12,571 crore compared with Rs 8,225 crore allocated during the last year, 2004-05.

The budgetary allocation for education is for the department of elementary education and literacy and the department of secondary and higher education.

Fatmi also said that the government was implementing a program to upgrade the quality of technical education that is imparted.

He said the World Bank-assisted Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP) had a cost outlay of Rs 1,550 crore in the first phase of its implementation.

Under the project, the government had received proposals from 132 institutions in 13 states.

The government was also considering the introduction of distance education in B.Ed program to be offered by Open Universities, said Fatmi.