The primary goal of the TVK-led coalition government is to ensure that every eligible student in every village in Tamil Nadu is able to pursue collegiate education, Higher Education Minister, P. Viswanathan, said in Chennai on Monday.
“Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had said soon after assuming charge that no eligible student in no village in the State should ever face a situation that they don’t get a seat in a higher education institution. The priority of our government, hence, would be to provide admission to aspiring students in engineering and polytechnic colleges,” he told journalists after reviewing the preparedness for ongoing admissions to Engineering, Polytechnic, and Arts and Science courses.
Highlighting the role of facilitation centres set up across the State to provide assistance to students during the admission process, he said the centres are manned by experienced teachers who would provide answers to most of the queries the students may have, including which courses would lead to employment opportunities. “Education, employment, and empowerment are the focus of this government. We have vacancies. I urge students to make use of this opportunity,” Mr. Viswanathan said.
For a whole generation of learners, education alone would not be enough because, given their disadvantaged background, it should lead to some sort of livelihood opportunity. This government, he averred, would train its guns to achieve this and would implement its own schemes.
Asked about allegations that ineligible institutions were being extended affiliation by State-run universities, he said the pre-affiliation inspection was going on and that the department would monitor the process to ensure institutions with quality faculty members, laboratories, and facilities were available to students.
Answering a pointed question on capitation fee taken by institutions for admitting students, the minister said the government was clear that it would not allow any kind of donations or financial irregularities to take place under its watch. “I would like to assure you that this government will not forfeit the State’s autonomy, sovereignty, and independence. This department will be run in a transparent and non-corrupt manner,” he observed.
Present at the review meeting were V. Arun Roy, Higher Education Secretary, E. Sundaravalli, Commissioner of Collegiate Education, and S. Visakan, Director of Technical Education.
Published – June 02, 2026 05:30 am IST
