New Delhi: President A P J Abdul Kalam on Friday mooted setting up of several new institutes of science, technology and IT in various parts of the country in order to revitalise the higher education system.
"The focus of our efforts in higher education is to revitalise the system, expand access and build new institutions of excellence," President A P J Abdul Kalam said in his address to the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session on Friday.
Several new Indian Institutes of Science (IISc), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT) are proposed to be set up, he said.
He said the government attached great importance to increasing access to education for SC, ST, OBCs and the socially and educationally-backward sections among minorities. Observing that the National Knowledge Commission in its first report laid emphasis on the need to invest in education at all levels of the knowledge pyramid, he said the government was committed to revitalising vocational and technical education.
New Central Universities were being set up in the North Eastern region, Kalam said.
Turning to the importance of education, the President said: "As a nation of young people, India will be able to gain from a demographic dividend only if we invest in the capabilities and the intellectual and emotional development of our children."
There has been a quantum leap in the funds allocation for primary and secondary education during the last three years, he said, citing the strengthened Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid-day Meal Programme.
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