NEW DELHI: The Centre is considering engaging eligible senior citizens as mentors at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) on an honorarium basis, along the lines of the Professor of Practice approach under the National Education Policy. It is also exploring whether final-year engineering students can volunteer at ITIs for two to three months to share advanced technical knowledge.
The proposals emerged during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with secretaries of concerned departments on July 26. The government is also examining a review of ITI syllabi to align them with changing industry requirements, emerging technologies and future employment opportunities. It may also explore degree opportunities for ITI diploma holders to improve employability and upskilling.
Another proposal is to engage agricultural university students in relevant government schemes nationwide. One possible initiative is installing solar panels along agricultural field boundaries.
The meeting also discussed making Viksit Bharat@2047 a people’s movement through wider public participation and youth programmes in universities and colleges. The government is considering skill development at school level by integrating skilling courses into the curriculum.
The prime minister also stressed a broader role for government secretaries, asking them to act in public interest and work collectively across departmental boundaries. They were urged to take initiative on issues including Swachhata, Swadeshi, deregulation and decriminalisation.
Public interest
The prime minister also emphasised a broader role for government secretaries, asking them to act in the interest of the public and work collectively across departmental boundaries. They were urged to take initiative on cross-cutting issues including Swachhata, Swadeshi, deregulation, criminalisation, rather than defend narrow departmental interests.