Engg : First generation students rule the roost

CHENNAI: Empowerment of the weaker sections of society through education may not remain a mere slogan for long, at least in Tamil Nadu. Students from weaker sections, including first generation learners, from rural areas and those from Tamil medium schools are dominating admissions to engineering courses via Anna University counseling. They have so far bagged the maximum number of seats this academic season. The figures, as per university authorities, are a healthy sign of the socio-economic development that the State is poised to achieve.According to the data accessed by Express, more than 55 per cent of students admitted to engineering colleges this year are first generation learners. Not just that; close to 63 per cent of these students are from rural areas and 42 per cent have studied in Tamil medium schools. Counseling authorities acknowledge that this is a significant representation compared to previous years. Considering the large turnout from weaker sections of society, the university authorities are mulling over introduction of special communication skill training programmes targeting their overall development.“Out of the 75,867 students admitted till Monday evening, more than 41,000 are first generation learners, more than 47,000 are rural students and more than 31,000 are from Tamil medium schools,” V Rhymend Uthariaraj, secretary of Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions, told Express. “Considering the special case this year, colleges will have to focus on imparting better English communication skills to prepare them for the market.Their educational backgrounds may not support quick grasping of engineering courses unless they are trained well.”Meanwhile, education expert and former Vice Chancellor of Anna University, E.Balagurusamy, says that the present trend may not be a good sign for educational scenario in the State. “With many seats even going vacant in engineering colleges, there are enough seats to accommodate students from all sections of society. But what is forgotten is the question of quality of education provided by these institutions and availability of jobs,” he said.  “Over the past 10 years, there has been no analysis of job availability for engineers in the state. I have seen many engineering graduates apply for jobs meant for 10th or 12th pass students. So, the students instead must be sensitised on options available for other subjects.”