Tue Nov 12 15:57:14 UTC 2024: ## New Coaching Centers for Competitive Exams Announced in Tamil Nadu

**Salem, November 12, 2024:** Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister, Govi. Chezhiaan, announced the establishment of new coaching centers across the state to prepare students for competitive exams. This initiative follows the success of a similar center recently opened in Madurai. The Minister urged students to make full use of these resources.

Chezhiaan highlighted various schemes implemented by the government to enhance student skills, including the ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ upskilling program, which has reached 27 lakh students. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between government agencies, college administrations, and teachers to ensure these programs benefit all intended recipients.

The Minister addressed the inaugural session of the first regional consultative meeting for the state’s higher education sector. This meeting, aimed at bridging the gap between government and stakeholders, will be followed by similar gatherings in Madurai, Coimbatore, and Chennai.

Discussions at the meeting focused on streamlining government schemes to promote higher education. Representatives from teacher associations expressed concerns about the workload associated with the ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ scheme, advocating for dedicated coordinators or teams to handle administrative tasks.

The need for a revision of the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges (Regulation) Act, 1976, to align with evolving educational landscapes was also highlighted. The Association of University Teachers (AUT) proposed the establishment of a committee to standardize course fees across arts and science colleges, citing the current imbalance caused by profiteering.

The consultative meeting included discussions with industry associations, student representatives, parents, and engineering students benefiting from the 7.5% preferential allocation scheme. Officials also visited higher education institutions in the city.

The Tamil Nadu government’s commitment to enhancing education opportunities through these coaching centers and the ongoing consultative process signifies a proactive approach to strengthening the state’s higher education sector.

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