 The department advises the government on matters dealing with higher education.It manages the working and activities 9 government engineering colleges, 3 aided engineering colleges, 49 polytechnic colleges, three colleges of fine arts, 39 technical high schools, 17 government commercial institutes, 42 tailoring and garment making training centres and four vocational training centers.The department plans, implements and monitors activities in the field of technical education consistent with state and national policies.