The State Government is actively examining proposals for introducing foundation courses in degree colleges to train students in taking competitive examinations like the civil services and Group I, II examinations conducted for recruitment to State government posts.
Senior officials of the Higher Education Department are working on the modalities to introduce foundation courses along with the regular syllabus so that students completing their graduation courses are prepared to attempt their examinations with fair measure of success. The initiative follows the setting up of study centres in different districts catering to the needs of students who aspire to take the examinations for admission into colleges offering professional courses like engineering and medicine.
The proposal, a brainchild of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, is aimed at putting in place the necessary infrastructure for training students from rural areas to attempt these examinations. This would avoid the huge expenditure being incurred by parents on account of payment of tuition fee as well as arranging lodging and boarding facilities for their children who are joining the coaching academies in the State capital in large numbers every year.
The recent success of Anudeep Durishetty, who topped the civil services examinations, has further bolstered the government’s resolve to put in place necessary infrastructure at the mandal and district-levels to ensure that talent from the rural areas is effectively harnessed. Senior officials said options are being explored to rope in services of coaching institutions of repute to provide the necessary training for students along with the regular subjects.
Though it was proposed to commence the coaching classes from this academic year itself, the proposal was deferred due to logistical issues. “Efforts will be intensified to ensure that necessary training infrastructure is put in place in the degree colleges at the earliest so that foundation courses can be launched from the next academic year,” a senior official said.
