Amaravati, Nov 3 (IANS): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy instructed officials to opt for stress-free education, following a five-month long disruption caused by Coronavirus pandemic.

He said students should not be forced to complete the syllabus in a rush because of the delay caused by the pandemic.

Reddy held a review meeting with higher education officials and told them that education should be pleasant without pressure.

He directed officials to follow the Central government instructions to take appropriate decisions.

The chief minister also told the officials to plan for implementing Vasati Deevena and Vidya Deevena for the current academic year.

On a discussion about licensing and regulating private universities, it was decided that 50 per cent seats should be filled under the convenor quota and the balance 50 per cent under the college quota.

 The fee structure under the convenor quota will be fixed by the government and will be footed on behalf of poor students as fee reimbursement.

Reddy also reviewed the progress being made by central institutions in the state such as IIT-Tirupati, IISER-Tirupati, IIM-Visakhapatnam and NIT-Tadepalligudem, Central University in Anantapur and Tribal University in Paderu.

He directed officials to maintain proper roads, drainage, sanitation and electricity connections.

With respect to curriculum, the CM told officials to focus on integrated courses according to industry requirement and asked for newer courses in polytechnic and engineering streams.

"The government is setting up a skill development centre in each parliamentary constituency to improve the skill set of youngsters, who have already completed courses like polytechnic and engineering," he said.

Meanwhile, officials informed the CM that five lakh online classes were conducted for students during the pandemic.