Business bodies call for education revamp

COIMBATORE: Reiterating concerns over educational institutions churning out unemployable persons, trade bodies in western and southern Tamil Nadu have called for a massive re-design of the system.Making clear the disconnect between general perception about higher standards of education and the grass root reality, the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI Coimbatore), which organised the meet on Saturday, said the fall in standards was pervasive, including in vocational training institutions and schools.“Nominally the State is considered to be well advanced in the field of education. But those who are employing those coming of the educational institutions are well aware of the fall in qualify,” the ICCI said in a memorandum sent to CM J Jayalalithaa.“Tamil Nadu is ranked among the lowest in terms of educational attainments even at the elementary school level. The vocational training institutes are no better. While there is an explosion of higher educational institutions, the quality of graduates is poor. A massive re-design of the education system is called for if the economic activities are to be taken to a higher level. Special efforts for training school dropouts are needed,” the memorandum added.The meeting was attended by office-bearers of trade and industrial associations from Coimbatore, Tirupur, Pollachi, Udumalpet, Kangayam, Karaikudi, Virudhachalam and Madurai.Addressing the need for uninterrupted power supply, the memorandum said, “The electricity needs of Tamil Na-du in the long term can be met by atomic power. So, all the apprehensions regarding Koodankulam Atomic Power Project must be removed and the project must be commissioned early. Installation of energy conservation equipment should be encouraged by lowering state VAT.”The trade bodies also recommended water conservation measures on the lines of the model in Israel. “The existing water sources should be strengthened. Protection of existing water bodies, full storage of the rainfall and ground water replenishment are needed. Inter connection of States’ rivers should be taken up,” it said.Besides, since TN was among the most urbanised States, a massive programme should be launched to develop the amenities in the existing urban area and also create new urban agglomerations where further settlements can take place. On the manufacturing front, the memorandum pointed out that land re-classification was responsible for causing delays in establishing new industries.