Some Institutes To Have Engineering Courses In Regional Languages From Next Year, Says Pokhariyal

New Delhi: The government on Thursday decided to offer technical courses in regional languages in certain IITs and NITs in a high-level meeting chaired by Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal, reported Times of India.

The meeting also decided that after assessment of the current scenario at school education boards, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the syllabus for various competitive exams.

An MoE official said that NTA will consult school boards on what has to be done, and that “it is unlikely to impact JEE main syllabus.”

Pokhariyal later tweeted about the meeting, calling it a “seminal decision” and saying that a “few IITs and NITs are being shortlisted” for offering engineering courses in regional languages from next academic year.

A seminal decision was also made during the meeting that Engineering courses imparting #education in mother tongue will be opened from next academic year. A few IITs & NITs are being shortlisted for the same.

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) November 26, 2020

Earlier, the NTA had conducted JEE Main in nine regional languages, except Hindi and English, and according to a senior official, the Ministry of Education will consult IITs to offer JEE Advanced in regional languages as well.

Many heads of institutions expressed concern at the decision, with the director of an IIT questioning the availability of “faculties to teach such a wide range of subjects”, adding that it will be impossible to implement in such a short time.

Another director of an old IIT highlighted logistical issues, stating that classes will have to be divided language wise, and the “availability of books in these languages will be another issue.”

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also been directed by Pokhariyal for disbursal of scholarships and fellowships, and to start a helpline to address student grievances.