Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department has advised engineering colleges to place greater emphasis on skill-based learning rather than focusing only on a few academic subjects.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has consistently stressed that engineering education should move away from rote learning and adopt a competency-based approach. It has also issued guidelines to help institutions implement skill-oriented teaching practices.

However, complaints have emerged that some engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu are not giving adequate importance to skill development programmes.

In a circular issued to the principals of all engineering colleges, the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) said that some institutions were concentrating only on select disciplines, which could hinder the overall academic and professional development of students. Such practices, it noted, are contrary to AICTE guidelines.

The department has directed all engineering college principals to ensure that, alongside classroom instruction, equal importance is given to skill-based activities. Colleges have also been asked to encourage interactive classroom discussions and move away from rote learning methods, in line with AICTE's competency-based education framework.