Kalam favours skill training for all students

Bhubaneswar, Nov 29 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today said the syllabus for secondary school must be changed to introduce skill training compulsory for all students for better employment.

Interacting with the tribal students of the Kaling Institute of School Sciences of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Dr Kalam advised the student to opt for skill training after coming out of the ten plus two course.

" When you carry with you the certificate of ten plus two you also carry with you another certificate of skill training which would help you to build future of your choice, " the President said to 3000 odd tribal students at the KIIT campus.

'' Fix an aim, acquire knowledge continuously, work hard.

Whenever problem arises, do not allow problem to become your master.

You become the master of the problem and succeed, '' the President said to a question of plus 2 Science (1st year) Purna Chandra Tudu, who introduced him as a Santal tribe and wanted to know the secret of the President becoming so popular.

To another question of a santhal student Kusal Majhi of plus +2 Science(1st year) on providing quality education to the tribal students, Mr Kalam said Tribal PURA with tele-medicine, mobile clinic, tele-education and mobile schools would be the answer for providing quality education and health care to all the people in the country.

He said recently he visited BR Hills found substantial new developments had taken place in this area where he could see a new tribal hospital, roads and education environment and above all the earning capacity of the tribal citizens had been increased with the technology resource centre as a base.

Previously, they were selling honey at Rs 6 kg whereas now they were selling at Rs 60 per kg. There are solar lamps, health insurance, quality schools available in the rural complex, Dr Kalam remarked.

When Kamalini Karuwa, a munda tribe of plus 2 Science(1st year) asked the President which is more important, Prithvi missile or education to the children, Dr Kalam replied certainly the education.

'' Education is the highest priority for the nation for making India into a knowledge society which in turn would lead to our economic growth, '' the President said adding he had given assent to the Right to Education Act which provides free and compulsory education to all the children between the age group 5 to 14.

The state governments, Dr Kalam said, are in the process of implementing the Act in course of time.

He, However, said Prithvi missile is also equally an important area for the country as all of you can understand for pursuing economic development without hindrance we have to protect our borders.

The President greeted all the members who had contributed in establishing and growing this tribal school for providing quality education to the children of twenty eight different tribes of Orissa.

Orissa Governor Rameswar Thakur, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, State industry Minister B.B.Harichandan, Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha member Dr Prasanna Patsani were among others present during the interaction KIIT deemed University Vice-Chancellor Dr Achyut Samant presided over the function.

UNI DP SJC AB 1757