KARUR:Former president of India A P J Abdul Kalam has demanded educational reform, incorporating skill development courses to constitute 25 per cent of the academic syllabus. This, he feels, would enhance students’ employability skills, when they graduate from school.
Speaking at the 21st inaugural function of the Arumugam Academy Matric Higher Secondary School at Aravakurichi on Saturday, he said that educational reform must take place in the near future to adequately equip students. “When students come out of colleges, they should possess two certificates — professional degree and a global standard skill certificate,” Kalam said.
Highlighting the necessity of managerial skills, the former president suggested 25 per cent reduction of academics to give way to skill development courses.
He wanted the higher secondary and college institutions to inculcate skills on communication, technical, cultural, industrial, health and cross cultural to adequately prepare the student community for employability.
Kalam also stated that every student is unique and should be confident in facing the challenges that come his or her way.
Highlighting achievements and struggle of the Nobel Laureates, he said, “To be remembered, you should be unique, and to be unique you should learn about unique events and read the memoirs of achievers.”
All the unique personalities exhibit four qualities — aim big in life, persistent efforts to acquire knowledge, hard work and perseverance, said the scientist.
Encouraging students to acquire knowledge, Kalam stated that knowledge defends us from destruction while powerful imagination, righteousness and courage chip in to acquire good knowledge.
Kalam also answered some questions raised by the students. Replying to a question on the prospects of a third world war owing to water resources, he said that inter-linking of rivers is assuming greater proportions today. He added that he had submitted a proposal on ‘Smart Waterway’ to the government recently.