Bhubaneswar, May 17: The state government, to build personality and confidence among job aspirants, has initiated soft skills trainings.

In a recent directive to all government ITIs and polytechnics, the technical education department has made it mandatory for students to read aloud a portion of an English newspaper or magazine to the class every day. This exercise is intended to help the students overcome their fear of speaking English.

The portion to be read aloud will be selected by the principal of the institutions.

After reading out the portion, the students will be encouraged to discuss the subject in English, thus helping them overcome the fear of making conversations while building their confidence and self-esteem.

It has been decided that each institution will have a "Hall of Fame" displaying the photographs of 10 of their successful students. The list should include the students who have gone outside the state or their district and made a name for themselves and also those who have become entrepreneurs. The list will also include successful girl students and once a month, a role model should be invited for an open house interaction with the students, the directive reads.

"The department will identify, screen and select at least 100 role models and stories that can be emulated by other students," said L.N. Gupta, secretary, technical education department. The authorities in these institutions have also been directed to choose high quality video content on YouTube related to the courses and show it to students to help them augment their subject of study.

In order to encourage girl students to join polytechnics, the institutions have been asked to organise "girl child skill day" on July 15 every year. "The girl students of nearby educational institutions must be invited for a study tour of the ITI and polytechnics. This should be extended to include children with physical disabilities so that they join the institutions," said Gupta.

The institutions have also been asked to keep the campus neat by clearing all junk and unused machinery and involve both students and teachers for the upkeep of gardens in order to maintain a positive energy. The hostels, kitchen and toilets must be maintained properly, said the directive.