From our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Sep 2: The last date for admissions for first-semester polytechnic diploma courses in the State has been extended till September 20.

Admissions for regular diploma courses were earlier scheduled to be closed by August 31.

The extended date will be applicable to 62 government polytechnic colleges and 34 aided institutions for engineering and non-engineering diploma courses, Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, Higher Education Minister, announced on Thursday.

The decision to extend the last date has been taken considering the request of the parents of the students and principals of the colleges, the minister said.

The Minister held separate discussions with State Legislative Council members representing the graduates and teachers constituencies on the National Education Policy (NEP) and cleared their doubts.

Dr Narayan said bringing comprehensive changes in the educational system and also provide freedom to choose multi-disciplinary courses and learning were the main objectives of the NEP and pointed out introducing knowledge and skill-based learning was also equally important.

On the question of recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff and provide them with training, the minister said the State Government would be going ahead to tackle the problems in a phased manner after discussing with the Chief Minister.

MLCs K T Srikantegowda, Sushil Namosi, Arun Shahapur, Chidananda and Narayanaswamy raised some issues. Collegiate and Technical Education Department Commissioner P Pradeep gave a power-point presentation on the salient features of NEP. Higher Education Council Vice President Prof Thimmegowda, Executive Director Gopal Joshi gave answers to the queries raised by the MLCs.