J&K Govt to set up more degree colleges

Jammu, Nov 22 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said his government might establish 15 instead of 10 degree colleges in the state.

Addressing a gathering here at Jammu University campus after inaugurating a new building of law school, the Chief Minister said 22 degree colleges were also set up across the state while another 10 had been sanctioned by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

''Instead of 10, number of colleges might be increased to 15 to raise the number of colleges in the state,'' Mr Azad said.

However, he said B Ed Colleges in the state had done a good job and about 135 such colleges were functional in the state at present.

''These colleges have generated economic activity alongside imparting education to students of the state and the neighbouring states,'' Mr Azad said, adding that during the last five years, the coalition government had focused on development of infrastructure and the reach of higher education.

Mr Azad also called for compulsory training of teachers to upgrade their skills and knowledge and suggested winter and summer holidays to be utilised for such training programmes.

UNI