ITANAGAR — Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said his government
would focus on youth empowerment and overhauling the education sector in 2025,
noting that these areas are crucial for the state's development and prosperity.
The state government has declared 2024-25 as the 'Year of
Youth' in its budget. This initiative highlights the administration's gratitude
and recognition of the critical role young people play in shaping both the
nation and the state, Khandu said.
"The 'Year of Youth' is our acknowledgment of the
immense responsibility our youth hold in building 'Viksit Bharat' (developed
India) and 'Viksit Arunachal' (prosperous Arunachal)," the chief minister
said told PTI in an interview.
He also noted that this initiative aligns with promises made
in the ruling party's election manifesto.
One of the primary objectives of the 'Year of Youth' is to
encourage entrepreneurship among the younger generation and not to depend
solely on government jobs.
The government aims to create a robust entrepreneurial
ecosystem through various schemes and policies.
"Our government will lay emphasis on skill development
programmes to equip the youth with the tools needed to embark on
entrepreneurial ventures," Khandu said.
The Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme
(APEDP) has already been launched to achieve this goal, he added.
The APEDP, spearheaded by the state's Finance, Investment
and Planning Department, aims to address local challenges by fostering
entrepreneurship. The programme provides aspiring entrepreneurs with necessary
support and mentorship to succeed.
"We envision a future where Arunachal Pradesh's youth
become job creators instead of job-seekers, generating livelihoods for
thousands in the process," Khandu said.
The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta Innovation Park
(IIMCIP) has been roped in as the knowledge partner to run the programme, he
said.
Additionally, the chief minister said that the state is
collaborating with renowned institutions such as IIMs and the Indian Institute
of Entrepreneurship (IIE) Guwahati, to offer advanced skill development
training.
Khandu also revealed that special grants are being provided
to support youth-led startups in the state.
The chief minister said that the education sector is another
key area of focus for the government.
Over the next three financial years, the state plans to
undertake transformative changes to ensure quality education, improved
infrastructure, and better opportunities for students.
"To address the existing challenges, brainstorming
sessions were conducted across the state, led by Education Minister P D Sona
and his advisor Mutchu Mithi," Khandu said.
These sessions aimed to identify core issues and propose
practical solutions for the education department, he said.
The outcomes of these sessions will be compiled into a
comprehensive report with recommendations for reform, which the state
government will fully implement.
"We are committed to cent per cent implementation of
the recommended changes on the ground," he assured.
Preferring quality over quantity, Khandu highlighted the
importance of improving the learning experience rather than merely increasing
the number of schools. The government plans to develop well-equipped
inter-village schools with facilities such as hostels, adequate teaching staff,
and modern teaching methods, he said.
"The government is focused on quality education instead
of just improving the state's literacy rate," the chief minister said.
To optimise resources, the government has already closed or
merged approximately 600 non-functional schools or those with low enrollment.
Schools with fewer than 50 students are also being considered for closure.
"This move will ensure better utilisation of resources,
including teachers, school infrastructure, and residential facilities,"
Khandu explained.
Arunachal Pradesh currently has over 2,800 government-run
schools, supported by more than 7,600 regular teachers and 5,900 SSA (Samagra
Shiksha Abhiyan) teachers.
However, challenges persist, particularly in filling teacher
shortages. The state faces a deficit of 414 trained graduate teachers (TGTs)
and 186 postgraduate teachers (PGTs), especially in critical subjects like
mathematics and science.
The chief minister called for public support and cooperation
to implement these reforms successfully, acknowledging that some changes might
be difficult but are necessary for long-term benefits.
"The state government aims to empower its youth and
provide them with the tools and opportunities needed to drive the state toward
self-reliance and progress," Khandu added.
