Centre to allocate more for education in 11th plan: Minister

Hyderabad, Oct 27 (UNI) Union Minister of state for Human Resource Development (HRD) D Purandeswari today said the Centre had proposed to allocate Rs 2.5 lakh crore for education, including 84,743 crore for higher education, in the 11th plan.

Speaking at the valedictory function of a conclave ''Building skills for new econommy'', organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here, Ms Purandeswari said the total outlay for education would be increased fourfold in the 11th plan.

''We are looking to achieve 15 per cent access to higher education as against ten per cent recorded so far in the country,'' she said.

Stating that the access to higher education would be increased by addressing the regional and inter-college disparities, the Minister said the other major challenge was the increasing gap between the universities and market requirements.

''This problem need to be addressed on fast track. We look forward to cooperation from the industry to prepare a new curriculum to bridge the gap,'' Ms Purandeswari added.

CII Director General Lt General S S Mehta urged the Minister to set up a National Skill Development Authority on the lines of Telecom Regulatory Authority.

UNI