Government Schools

Cabinet clears 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas, 86k students to benefit

The Union Cabinet has approved 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas with Balvatikas under NEP 2020, with Rs 5,862 crore funding over nine years and focus on underserved districts

Down the learning curve: Govt schools need greater accountability

But the steadily deteriorating standard of government schools has played a key role in providing the impetus for this preference

Akhilesh Yadav alleges conspiracy behind govt school mergers, targets BJP

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government, alleging a deep-rooted conspiracy behind the recent move to merge government schools in rural areas. In a post on X in Hindi, Yadav claimed that the BJP is systematically undermining the education system to deprive future generations of their fundamental right to education. "Education is the truest measure of development. The continued neglect of education and educators under the BJP government raises serious concerns that this is part of a larger conspiracy," he said. He alleged that the BJP wants to keep the coming generations uneducated because educated individuals are likely to be more positive, tolerant, and resistant to the kind of "negative politics" of the BJP. "Education brings awareness, and with it comes the courage to stand united against exploitation and oppression. The self-confidence gained through education poses a threat to authoritarian partie

Arunachal to close 386 govt schools with zero enrolment this year

The Arunachal Pradesh government has ordered the closure of 386 government schools across the state that have recorded zero student enrolment in the current academic year. The order, issued by the state's Education department on Monday, follows a detailed analysis of data from the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE), which identified a significant number of schools that have remained non-functional, in some cases for several years. The decision is aimed at rationalising educational infrastructure and making better use of teaching staff and facilities. The closure affect schools in almost every district, including remote and border regions such as Kurung Kumey, Tawang, Anjaw, Changlang, and Upper Subansiri. The list includes primary, upper primary, middle, and secondary government schools that have had no student enrolment this year and, in some instances, for multiple academic sessions. According to the official notification, West Kameng district reported the

Kerala govt plans to develop state-owned AI engine for schools this year

After imparting training to school teachers about the use and the inclusion of the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) textbooks, the Kerala government is now planning to develop a state-owned AI engine for schools. State General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday announced that an AI engine will be developed this year, under the leadership of Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), within the academic framework, an official statement said. The minister was speaking after inaugurating the State Camp of Little KITEs at the International Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS) campus here. The minister also announced the completion of the distribution of 29,000 Robotic Kits in schools, undertaken by KITE, the technology arm of the state General Education Department. The Open Hardware based Robotic Kits, which are deployed to schools by the KITE, comprises of Arduino Uno Rev3, LEDs, SG90

Aser 2024: Govt schools outpace private ones in learning recovery trends

Aser 2024 highlights a strong learning recovery, digital literacy gains, and shifting enrolment trends in rural India, with government schools seeing major improvements

Teachers' Day 2024: Check the list of top 50 teachers across the country

Every year, the government presents awards to the best teachers in India. Out of all the 50 winners, 34 are men, 16 are female, 2 are differently-abled and 1 works with children with special needs

WB school jobs row: SC gives last chance to file responses against HC order

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted a last opportunity to file responses to pleas challenging a Calcutta High Court order invalidating the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in government and aided schools in West Bengal. The pleas challenging the high court order also include the one filed by the West Bengal government. The top court, which has been hearing 33 petitions pertaining to the high court's April 22 judgment on the matter, has fixed them for a final hearing after three weeks. At the outset, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra were informed that the response affidavits have not been filed by many parties. The West Bengal government has also not filed its reply in cases where it is made a respondent. "Alright, we will give them one opportunity... no counter (affidavit) filed till date. In the event that any of the respondents seek to file they shall file on or before two weeks, if no .

Unwavering loyalty: 133 students in Telangana follow teacher to new school

As many as 133 of 250 students from Ponakal's primary school in Mancherial shifted to a new school after their teacher J Srinivas was transferred to a new government school in Akkapalligudem

Delhi Government School Admission 2024: Class 6-9 registration starts today

Delhi Government School Admissions 2024: Registration for classes 6-9 by the Directorate of Education (DoE) begins today. Here's all you need to know

Over 70 students fall ill after eating at Punjab school mess, two arrested

As many as 18 students of a government school in Punjab's Sangrur district were rushed to a hospital as they complained of stomach ache and vomiting after having a meal in the hostel mess, officials said on Saturday. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the food contractor has been arrested and an inquiry by the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) has been ordered in the matter. Eighteen school students of the government meritorious school at Ghabdan were rushed to the civil hospital on Friday evening after they complained of stomach ache and vomiting, an official said. Officials suspect it is a case of food poisoning. Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal on Saturday said 18 students were brought to the civil hospital, of which 14 have been discharged. Four still remain admitted, Jorwal said while speaking to reporters in Sangrur. He further said 36 more students were brought to the civil hospital on Saturday and all of them were stable. They did not report any loose mot

MP partners with Magic Bus to bring life skills programme to govt schools

Magic Bus India Foundation, a non-profit organisation that provides education and skilling, on Monday said it has partnered with Madhya Pradesh government to introduce project 'Saksham' -- a life skills education programme -- in government schools. The Department of Tribal Affairs of Madhya Pradesh has partnered with Magic Bus India Foundation to empower master trainers and government school teachers, equipping them to deliver life skills education while nurturing the well-rounded development of adolescents across 20 districts and 89 blocks in the state, the non-profit organisation said in a statement. Magic Bus will provide training to master trainers, who will then train 18,000 government teachers, to impart life skills to around one million adolescents across 9,000 government schools that include CM Rise Schools, Middle Schools, Special Residential Schools including Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Kanya Shiksha Parisar (KSP), Model Residential Schools (MRS) Hostels and .

Congress hits back at Kejriwal after he criticises its govt in Chhattisgarh

The Congress on Saturday hit back at Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal for his criticism of its government in Chhattisgarh and challenged him to compare the performance of the previous Sheila Dikshit government with his current dispensation in the national capital. The Congress' sharp reaction came after Kejriwal, campaigning in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, slammed the "terrible condition" of Chhattisgarh government schools. Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann addressed an AAP workers' convention in Raipur earlier in the day. Responding to Kejriwal's attack, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said, "Why go to Raipur? Performance of our Chhattisgarh govt will be compared with the previous Raman Singh govt." "Let us choose a sector of your choice and compare the performance of Congress government in Delhi vs your govt here. Ready for a debate?" Khera said. "Before flying to Raipur, talk about the ground situation of Delhi

Centre launches ULLAS mobile application to promote basic literacy

Addressing the citizens, Union Minister Pradhan emphasised the importance of the ULLAS mobile application in utilising technology to promote universal access to basic literacy

Over Rs 27 cr released for repair of flood-affected govt schools in Punjab

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains Monday released a grant of Rs 27.77 crore to repair the flood-hit government schools in the state. Each school will receive an amount ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 30,000, said an official release. Mann said Rs 20 crore has been allocated for primary schools and Rs 7.77 crore for secondary schools. With this amount, school heads and management committees will undertake maintenance, cleanliness, painting and other necessary repairs in the schools. A special survey is being conducted regarding damages caused by floods in government schools of the state, which will help in allocating funds according to the needs of the affected schools for their renovation and maintenance, he said. Several districts of Punjab and Haryana were battered by heavy downpour last week that has left normal life paralysed and flooded vast tracts of residential and agricultural land. Though the floodwaters have receded in many areas of Punjab and Haryana, authoritie

All MCD run schools to be closed on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall

All schools run, aided or recognised by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will be closed on July 11 in view of heavy rainfall in the city and adverse weather conditions forecast, according to an official order issued on Monday. The order issued by the education department of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), however, mentioned that these schools shall be closed only for students. Department heads and teachers shall come to schools, and all offices will also be functional, it said. "In view of the heavy rainfall in Delhi and alert issued by the India Meteorological Department on adverse weather conditions, it has been decided that all MCD schools, MCD-aided and recognised schools will be closed on July 11," the order stated.

World Bank approves $255.5 mn loan for better education in govt institution

The World Bank has approved a USD 255.5 million loan for improving the quality of technical education in government-run institutions in India. Over the next five years, the project will support around 275 government-run technical institutions in selected states across the country, benefitting more than 350,000 students each year. The Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education Project will support improving student skills and employability by focusing on better research, entrepreneurship, and innovation; and improve governance in technical institutions. As part of the project, students will get access to upgraded curricula including emerging technologies in communication and climate resilience. They will also benefit from better internship and placement services, including opportunities to network with professional associations, World Bank said. "World Bank's Board of Executive Directors have approved a USD 255.5 million loan to help India improve th

Andhra Pradesh CM constitutes working group to transform school curriculum

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has constituted a high-level working group involving executives from top tech companies and senior officials to transform government school students into worldclass products equipped with modern technology. The working group consisting of executives from Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Intel, Google, NASSCOM and Niti Aayog has been tasked to finalise the curriculum, infrastructure, resource deployment, content and labs needed at schools. "The working group was asked to submit its report by July 15...to be headed by school education principal secretary," said a press note shared by the state government on Sunday. School Infrastructure Commissioner has been appointed as the convenor of this group. Empowered by high-end technologies, the southern state wants public school students to acquire modern knowledge to bag best jobs at the international level. The working group is expected to recommend the steps needed to train students in

Best of BS Opinion: Learning curves, Internet blues for media, and more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Learning curves

ASER reflects challenges for govt's education programme