Every eligible student in every village should be able to pursue higher education, that is our government’s goal: T.N. Higher Education Minister

The primary objective of the TVK-led coalition government is to ensure that every eligible student in every village in Tamil Nadu can pursue university education, Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan said in Chennai on Monday.

“Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, soon after taking over, had said that no eligible student in any village of the state should face the situation of not being able to get a seat in a higher education institution. Therefore, our government’s priority will be to ensure admission of willing students in engineering and polytechnic colleges,” he told reporters after reviewing the preparation for ongoing admissions in Engineering, Polytechnic and Arts and Science courses.

Highlighting the role of facilitation centers set up across the state to provide assistance to students in the admission process, he said the centers are run by experienced teachers who will answer most of the questions students may have, including which courses will lead to employment opportunities. “Education, employment and empowerment are the focus of this government. We have vacancies. I urge students to take advantage of this opportunity,” Mr. Viswanathan said.

Education alone will not be enough for an entire generation of students because, given their disadvantaged backgrounds, it must lead to some form of livelihood opportunity. He claimed that this government would train its weapons and implement its own plans to achieve this.

Asked about allegations of extension of membership of unsuitable institutions by public universities, he said pre-membership review is ongoing and the department will monitor the process to ensure that institutions with quality faculty, laboratories and facilities are made available to students.

Responding to a harsh question on the capitation fee charged by institutions for admitting students, the minister said it was clear that the government would not allow any donations or financial irregularities to be made under its supervision. “I assure you that this government will not lose the autonomy, sovereignty and independence of the State. This department will be managed in a transparent and corruption-free manner,” he said.

Higher Education Secretary V. Arun Roy, University Education Commissioner E. Sundaravalli and Technical Education Director S. Visakan were present at the review meeting.