Vijayawada: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday directed officials to overhaul the education system, aligning courses with future industry needs, strengthening research, and boosting youth employability. At a high-level review meeting on school, intermediate, higher education, and skill development held at the state secretariat in Amaravati, Naidu stated that universities must evolve into centers of research, innovation, and startups rather than remain limited to conventional teaching.
Focus on Future-Ready Courses
Naidu emphasized that courses should be designed based on future demand and global trends. "Universities must become hubs of research and innovation," he said, stressing the need to introduce programs in emerging sectors such as logistics, green energy, and quantum technology. The chief minister also called for stronger industry-academia linkages, suggesting that each university be connected with a corporate partner. He asked officials to facilitate collaborations with the top 200 global universities to improve standards and global competitiveness.
Skill Audit and Digital Portal
In a major push towards employability, Naidu proposed conducting a random skill audit to assess the capabilities of youth across the state and identify gaps. He also directed officials to prepare district-wise skill maps and develop an integrated digital portal to provide real-time information on job and employment opportunities across departments. Stressing the importance of holistic development, Naidu said curriculum reforms should focus not only on academic excellence but also on character building, health awareness, and adoption of best global practices.
Technology and Infrastructure
Naidu suggested leveraging institutions such as IIT Madras for inputs on curriculum design. He further emphasized the use of technology in education, recommending interactive digital panels for quality teaching and the LEAP app to enable parents to track student attendance and progress. He also called for improved infrastructure, including sanitation and nutrition, in schools and hostels, and suggested the development of kitchen gardens in residential institutions.
Innovation Conclave and Inclusivity
Naidu proposed organizing a "Students Innovation Conclave" focused on artificial intelligence to encourage creativity and problem-solving skills among students. He also stressed the need to ensure inclusive education for students with disabilities. Education Minister Nara Lokesh said the state has already initiated restructuring of courses to match industrial requirements and is implementing reforms across all levels of education. "We are aligning curriculum with present and future needs. From foundational literacy to higher education, reforms are being introduced to improve learning outcomes and employability," Lokesh said.
Ongoing Reforms
Lokesh added that curriculum changes are being carried out with support from national agencies, and efforts are underway to improve enrollment, upgrade teaching standards, and introduce skill-based training. Teachers are also being exposed to global best practices, including training programs in countries such as Finland. Lokesh said the government is focusing on a "teacher-student-outcome" model to bring measurable improvements in the education sector. He also highlighted steps to enhance coaching support for competitive examinations and provide flexibility in supplementary exams. Officials from school, intermediate, higher education, and skill development departments attended the meeting.
