Can engineering graduates even write a job application, asks Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy questioned the employability of engineering graduates, calling for reforms in engineering education. Addressing teachers, he outlined plans to strengthen basic education, expand skill training and improve employment opportunities while defending the government's education initiatives.

Hyderabad: Amid protests by unemployed youth demanding job notifications, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy questioned whether engineering graduates could even write a job application and stressed the need for reforms in engineering education.

“Every year, 1.10 lakh engineering students graduate from different colleges. Give them a blank sheet of paper and ask them to write a job application. This is a criminal waste,” Revanth Reddy said while addressing teachers at MCRHRD on Thursday.

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He said most engineering graduates neither acquired employable skills nor were willing to take up smaller jobs. Recalling interactions with people from his constituency, the Chief Minister said many parents approached him seeking jobs for their children after they had completed engineering and higher education. However, many graduates did not even know where jobs were available.

“They do not even check who is offering jobs. They expect me to find everything and provide them with employment. Is that possible? I am not finding fault with them,” he said.

Revanth Reddy said there were 22 government engineering colleges with an enrolment of 24,000 students. The government plans to focus on strengthening basic education during the first two years of engineering and imparting skill training, including exposure abroad, during the next two years. He also said German and other foreign languages were being taught at Ambedkar Open University to improve students’ employment prospects.

Claiming that he would continue as Chief Minister till 2034, Revanth Reddy urged teachers and their unions to focus on empowering students. He assured them that the government would resolve teachers’ issues but asked the unions to dedicate the next five years to addressing students’ concerns. He said enrolment in government schools had increased over the past three years, with one lakh students shifting from private schools this year. He attributed the increase to the government’s focus on public education.

Recalling that he had studied in a government school, Revanth Reddy said the education he received had enabled him to effectively run the administration over the past two-and-a-half years. “The Prime Minister invited me to work with him, assuring me of a better future. That was because of the education I received in a government school,” he said.

Responding to the Opposition’s demand that he relinquish the Education portfolio, the Chief Minister asked why he should step down. “Is it because breakfast is being provided from Nursery to Class 12, teacher recruitment and promotions are being managed, and ITIs are being transformed into ATCs?” he asked.

“I face criticism every day, and it is your responsibility to ensure I do not face such criticism. I am prepared to relinquish the Education portfolio if the teachers want me to,” Revanth Reddy said.