Page 199 - Education

Godrej, Ashok Chavan, Deepak Parekh receive Xavier Ratna award

Chairman of Godrej Group Adi Godrej and non-executive chairman of HDFC Deepak Parekh were honoured with 'Xavier Ratna' awards on 150th anniversary celebration of St Xavier's School here Saturday. MaharashtraGovernor Ch Vidyasagar Rao presented the awards, given to illustrious alumni of the school. Former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, renowned cardiologist Dr Eric Borjes and legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar were also conferred with Xavier Ratna awards. Gavaskar was not present for the award ceremony. The school was founded in 1869. The felicitation function had been organised jointly by the school and the St Xavier's Alumni Association. President of the Alumni Association Shabbir Beguwala, Manager of St Xavier's School Dr Francis Swamy and Principal Sharmila Sunny were present on the occasion. Governor Rao noted in his speech that dramatic changes are taking place in the field of school education. The schools failing to understand emerging trends and aspirations

Respond in 8 weeks to PIL to introduce spoken English in govt

: The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to respond within eight weeks to a PIL by a former DMK MLA, seeking a direction to introduce spoken English as a compulsory subject in government schools. A division bench, comprising Justices Vineet Kothari and Anita Sumanth, before which the petition filed by the former MLA Appavu came up, said it is a matter of the state education policy and the court cannot exercise its power under Article 226 of the Constitution. "So we are of the opinion that the Secretary of the School Education Department decide on the representation given by the petitioner after giving due opportunity of hearing to the petitioner within a period of eight weeks,"the bench said. Appavu submitted that there are about 37,211 government schools, 8,403 government aided schools and 12,419 private self-financing schools such as matriculation and CBSE schools in Tamil Nadu, imparting education to about 1.25 crore students. In these 12,419 ...

Substantial future for science in India possible, if there is gender parity: Irani

If India is looking for a substantial future in science and technology, then it has to ensure a just and vibrant future for women in this field, Union Minister Smriti Irani said Saturday. She asserted gender parity is not the responsibility of women alone and that men should play an active role. Speaking at the inaugural session of Indian Women Science Congress here, the minister said English remains 'lingua franca' of the scientific community in India and the world. She exhorted the Indian Science Congress to translate best scientific works so that students can access them in local languages. "Can we, through your (Indian Science Congress) platform propagate, amongst universities across our country, translations of some of the best science journals, new scientific studies and give it to children (not only) in the higher education institutions, but (also) in high schools, so that their love for science, boy or girl can be embedded and embedded at a very early stage." "If you are ...

JNUSU claims varsity spent Rs 13 lakh to host spiritual gurus, announces two-day strike

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) has called for a two-day strike to protest against the varsity for allegedly spending nearly Rs 13 lakh to host spiritual gurus Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Sadhguru. The students' body claimed that JNU's vice-chancellor had denied registration to a visually challenged student of the Centre for Japanese Studies, Munesh, who was failed due to lack of facilities as the varsity faced a paucity of funds. However, the VC has spent nearly Rs 13 lakh to host babas like Sadhguru and Sri Sri, the JNUSU alleged in a statement. It has called for a two-day strike on January 8 and 9 against "financial corruption" by the VC and his cronies. "JNU VC spent nearly Rs 87,000 alone on flight tickets for Sri Sri for a programme hosted by the varsity administration. The administration spent Rs 2.3 lakh on Sri Sri's programme and Rs 1.19 lakh for hosting Sadhguru in JNU under the budget head "Annual Day Celebration"," the JNUSU claimed. It added that JNU .

R'than school lecturers' recruitment examination postponed

The Rajasthan government on Saturday recommended postponement of the school lecturers' recruitment examination, which was scheduled to be held this month. The decision was taken following the demands of the candidates, Education Minister Govind Singh Dotasara said. "We have written to the Rajasthan Public Service Commission to extend the date of the school lecturer examination in view of the demand of the candidates." The candidates had been holding dharna and demonstration at the Rajasthan University in Jaipur and had raised their demands after meeting Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot recently. The exam was scheduled to be held from January 15-23. The demand was raised by candidates, who said the time given for preparation was not sufficient.

Women in science largest minority: Smriti Irani

Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday said women in science are the "largest minority" in the country, with only 14 per cent of them contributing to the profession.

Himachal Pradesh: 7 killed, 11 injured in bus mishap

At least seven people including six children were killed and 11 others injured after a school bus fell into a deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district on Saturday.The injured students have been shifted to a nearby hospital.The police is investigating the matter to ascertain the cause of the accident.Taking note of the mishap, senior officials have reached the hospital.Further details are awaited.

Probe ordered into dance programme held in primary school

The Ballia district administration has ordered a probe into a blanket distribution programme held in a school, where classes were halted and a dance programme was held. The Basic Education Officer of the district, Santosh Rai, Saturday said, "On Friday, a blanket distribution programme was held at a primary school in Aasmaan Thothaa village under the Sahatwar police station area. According to a complaint received, a dance programme was also held at the venue with dancers dancing to the tunes of film songs." He added that the dance programme created disturbance among the students and the classes were also hampered. "Orders have been issued to probe the incident. The block education officer will submit his report and accordingly, action will be initiated," Rai said.

Only teachers can change India's education scenario: Javadekar

Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar asserted that innovation in teaching is very important, adding that only teachers of this country have the capability to change India's education scenario.Addressing a gathering at the National Awards for Innovation in Educational Administration (NIEPA) on Friday, he said, "Only teachers can make education more relevant by their innovative teaching methods."Furthermore, Javadekar congratulated all the awardees and emphasised that a country grows with innovation and sustainable growth, which, he said, can be achieved only through innovation. "This is the time for the new slogan 'Jai Anusandhan' for the country which was given by the Prime Minister recently and we have to work upon it seriously," he added.The scheme of National Awards for Innovation in Educational Administration is one of the important initiatives of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration. It aims to reach out the grassroots ...

CTET result announced in record time

Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) examination results were declared on Friday in record time and with a record number of qualifiers.Anurag Tripathi, Director CTET said, "It is for the first time where more than 3 lakh candidates have qualified for Primary School and Middle School in CTET examination this."The 11th edition of CTET was held at 2100 centres. 1,78,273 candidates qualified for Primary school teaching while 1,26,968 people qualified for middle school teaching. Along with record number of qualifiers, CTET has also seen a rise in pass percentage.CTET examination, which was held on December 9, was conducted after a gap of two years.

DU ad hoc teachers begin hunger strike

A group of 20 ad hoc teachers of the Delhi University began a hunger strike Friday demanding same benefits as given to permanent teachers and the former's immediate absorption. The teachers began their strike outside the Faculty of Arts. Aditya Narayan Misra, president, Academics for Action and Development (AAD), said, "We are siting outside the Faculty of Arts gate and it is very cold. It is very difficult, but we are supporting each other. "We demand the absorption of ad hoc and temporary teachers in Delhi University (DU). These teachers have been working for years without any leave, maternity leave and increment," he said. There are 4,600 ad hoc teachers working in the Delhi University. They have all the required qualifications prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), he said. Congress national president Rahul Gandhi has also raised this issue. In Rajasthan, they have appointed a committee. In Madhya Pradesh, they are in the process. We are demanding that DU also do ...

RTE bogus scheme, private institutions minting money through it: Kumaraswamy

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said that Centre's Right to Education (RTE) programme is a bogus scheme, adding that private institutions are minting money in big scale through it.Addressing 84th Kannada Sahitya Sammelan in Dharwad, Kumaraswamy asserted: "RTE is a bogus scheme and private institutions are minting money in a big scale in the name of RTE."Kumaraswamy further highlighted that the Kannada language has been vanishing due to English. "After the Supreme Court's verdict Kannada medium schools have been converted into English medium schools. Due to English, Rajbhasha Kannada is vanishing. Let's do a resolution that private convents and English medium schools in the state should be privatised. If this was not taken seriously then there is no future of regional languages," he said."More than 1.5 lakh students fees were paid by the government and they are studying in private English medium schools under RTE," he added.Taking his tirade against a rising number of

CTET results announced

The Central Board of Secondary Education declared CTET results Friday within 25 days of holding the exam, the board said. The Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) exam was held on December 9, 2018, at more than 2,100 centres across the country, it added. It is also for the first time that more than three lakh candidates qualified for primary schools and middle schools in 2018 CTET exam, the board said. Result has been declared within 25 days after the exam, which is a record in the history of the CTET, the board said. Out of10,73,545 candidates, 1,78,273 qualified for primary school teachers (class 1 to 5), while out of 8,78,425 candidates,1,26,968 qualified for middle school teachers (class 6 to 8). The pass percentage for primary school was 17 per cent and middle school was 15 per cent. The exam was conducted after two years, the board said.

Delhi government welcomes amendment in RTE Bill

Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday welcomed the passage of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

Parliament approves Bill to abolish 'no fail policy till Class 8'

Javadekar assured the House that the passage of this Bill will not lead to increase in dropout rates in schools

15-year-old girl sexually assaulted by classmate

A 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by her classmate, who also got two of his friends to record the alleged act, police said Thursday. The incident took place inside the washroom of a government school in Chanakyapuri in the last week of December, they said. The victim's classmate allegedly kissed her inside the washroom of the school and asked two of his friends to record the act, a senior police officer said. After the photos and video of the alleged incident went viral, the victim narrated the ordeal to her parents who then approached the police, he said. A case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and investigation was underway, he added. The three minor accused, all in the age group of 15 years, were apprehend in connection with the incident, he said.

UGC directs state governments to take appropriate action against fake universities

Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has directed state governments to take appropriate action against fake universities informed Minister of State (HRD), Dr Satya Pal Singh on Thursday in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question.The house was informed that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has already released a list of 24 fake Universities and has also issued public notice against the unrecognized status of several institutes.UGC has issued public notice against the unrecognized status of Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM), New Delhi and illegal status of Bio-Chemic Education Grant Commission, Nadia, West Bengal.Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad, Lucknow, UP is also not recognized by the UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956.Apart from identifying Raja Arabic University, Nagpur as a fake university in the state of Maharashtra, it has also issued warning notices to three institutes in the state during the current year.The three institutes which have been .

Withdrawal of suspension of 3 Presidency students sought

The Presidency University students union Thursday demanded withdrawal of the suspension on three students and warned of agitation if steps were not taken in this regard at the earliest. A resolution, passed after a general body meeting of SFI and Independent Consolidation at the university campus in College Street Thursday, the union further demanded the letter of warning, issued against 18 other students, be withdrawn forthwith and "all kinds of punitive measures by the varsity" be stopped. On December 19, the university had suspended the three students for six months and issued letters of warning against 18 others after an inquiry committee found them guilty of locking the gate of the varsity and preventing the Vice Chancellor, Registrar and other professors from entering the premises on September 10, when agitation over the handover of Hindu Hostel was going on. "VC Anuradha Lohia had used her discretionary power to reduce the suspension period of the three students .

Job aspirants gherao OPSC over clash of exam dates

Hundreds of job aspirants Thursday gheraoed the office of the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) here demanding change of date of the scheduled ASO examination on January 20. The enraged job aspirants claimed that the scheduled ASO (assistant section officer) examination date is clashing with Railway recruitment examination and a bank clerical examination. I have cleared the preliminary examination of RRB and my main examination is scheduled on January 20. How can I appear the RRB (Railway Recruitment Board) exams and ASO exams on the same date, rued an aspirant. Many other students, who have also cleared the IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) preliminary examination and have their main examination on January 20, are in a fix whether to skip the OPSC exam or IBPS exam. The ASO examination conducted by the OPSC was earlier scheduled on December 23 but was postponed and the new date clashed with other recruitment tests. On the other hand, the job ...

Student gets locked in classroom, stays there all night

A Class 6 student of a Government-run primary school in Arvalli district of Gujarat had to spend an entire night in the classroom after he was locked inside accidentally. The incident took place at Chhikari village in Meghraj tehsil, around 150 km from here. District primary education officer A K Patel said he has ordered an inquiry. "The class teacher had left the school at 4.30 pm yesterday for some official work. He had asked the class monitor to lock the classroom after the school hours. The monitor locked the room unaware that this boy was still inside," the official said. His parents searched for him everywhere in the village. "Finally they took the school teacher along and came to the school around 4.30 am....The teacher opened the lock and found him inside," Patel said. The taluka (tehsil) primary education officer has been asked to conduct an inquiry and submit a report by Friday, he added.