Dehradun / Kashipur (The Hawk): Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur, a leading B-school in India, is proud to announce its 11th annual convocation ceremony to be held on 27th April 2024 at the pristine Kashipur Campus. As many as 438 young and talented minds will receive their degree, and 30% of them are female. The jubilant event will confer degrees to tutees of MBA, MBA analytics, executive MBA, executive MBA analytics, and doctoral Programmes for batch 2022- 2024, showcasing the institute’s unwavering focus on nurturing academic diversity and excellence. Last year, IIM Kashipur awarded degrees to 353 students; of them, 98 were female. This year, the number of students who received degrees has gone up to 438, and the number of female students has surged to 140. The momentous occasion will be graced and addressed by the Chief Guest, Mr. Yezdi Nagporewalla, CEO of KPMG India. Also, the much-awaited afternoon would be presided over by Mr. Sandeep Singh, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIM Kashipur. Remarkably first-ever, the bittersweet event will award degrees to the first batch of students of Executive MBA Analytics, who have transformed into professionals harnessing the power of analytics, technology, and management through the program’s cross-functional academics and practical learning. Notably, IIM Kashipur was among the leading IIMs that launched this course in light of the New Education Policy. The landmark ceremony will proudly present the well-deserved degrees to 15 PhD Dept, 232 MBA, 87 MBA Analytics, 21 Executive MBA, and 83 Executive MBA Analytics students, respectively. Along with degrees, IIM Kashipur will award 27 highly skilled to-be graduates with gold, silver, and bronze medals. Apart from that, 17 students who made it to the "Director's Merit List" for their unfailing commitments to the course will also receive medals from the chief guest. Remarkably, IIM Kashipur has secured 19th rank among the top 50 Management Institutes/Colleges in India in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)-2023 ranking released by the Ministry of Education. IIM Kashipur has also become the only IIM to get into the Top 50 in the NIRF-ARIIA (Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements) quotient, leaving behind other IIMs.

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur, a leading B-school in India

IIM Kashipur To Felicitate 400+ Students At 11th Annual Convocation

New Delhi: Normalisation of scores for the Common University Entrance Test-UG and the National Eligibility Test is being done away with from this year, according to UGC Chief Jagadesh Kumar.
"No normalisation of scores will be required this year since both exams will be conducted in a single shift for a subject," Kumar told PTI.
Normalisation is a process for revising the score of a student in a way that it becomes comparable with the score of another. This becomes necessary when an examination in the same subject is held in multiple sessions, each with a different paper.  Students have been raising concerns about the normalisation of scores 'unfairly' impacting their performance in the exam.  "Earlier, we had to conduct the test for the same paper for two or three days in our endeavour to provide the first-choice centre to the students as much as possible. But this year, by adopting the OMR mode, a large number of centres will be available at schools and colleges, enabling us to conduct the test across the country on the same day.  "If the test is conducted on multiple days for the same paper, normalisation is required and it is a scientific method," the UGC chairman said.
The CUET-UG will be conducted from May 15 to 24 this time. In a shift from the earlier pattern of conducting the crucial exam for admission to undergraduate courses in a Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, CUET-UG for 15 subjects will be conducted in pen and paper mode while for 48 subjects it will be conducted in online mode.  Similarly, the UGC-NET, which was earlier conducted in CBT mode, will be held in pen and paper mode on June 16.  UGC-NET is an exam to determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for the 'award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as assistant professor', 'appointment as assistant professor and admission to PhD' and 'admission to PhD only' in Indian universities and colleges.
—PTI

UGC chief announces removal of score normalization for CUET-UG and UGC-NET 2024; exams now in single shift and OMR mode to ensure fairness.

'Normalisation of scores for CUET-UG, NET will be done away with from this year': UGC chief

New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has a problem of "freeloaders" -- both overstaying students and illegal guests -- and the administration is now tightening the noose on them, according to its Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit.
In an interaction with PTI editors at the agency's headquarters, Pandit said she has issued strict instructions to the hostel administration not to allow any student to stay in hostels beyond five years.  In response to a question on allegations of JNU having seen freeloaders stay on campus at the cost of taxpayer money, Pandit said, "You are absolutely right, we have a problem of freeloaders."  Herself an alumna of the university, the 61-year-old said the issue was there even when she was a student but it has increased now.  "When I was there, we had many students who stayed over but the number of such students was very low... JNU creates certain illusions too... certain students... want everything free and subsidised... even the Lok Sabha canteen is costlier than the JNU canteen but in our times, teachers were very strict," she said.  "The professor supervising my research told me if you don't complete it in four-and-a-half years, you are out. I knew he wouldn't sign my fellowship extension... I think this has changed over the years. Certain professors permitted such extensions and that's how the number has gone up today," Pandit said.  Pandit pursued her MPhil and PhD from JNU from 1985-1990 after finishing her master's degree from Presidency College in Chennai.  "There are also people on campus who are illegal guests, who are not even students of JNU but come here and stay. They are either preparing for UPSC or other exams... for them, JNU is the cheapest place to stay... in southwest Delhi, where can you get such an accommodation with greenery, spread over 2,000 acres and with such dhabas and cheap food," she asked.
On the steps being taken by her administration to address the issue, Pandit said, "Now we are trying to bring this down to a large extent... it is very difficult for us to get into the rooms... we still do it while sticking to the norms. We also appeal to the good sense of the students and ask them to at least inform if they are bringing a guest."  "We have also tightened the hostel administration to not allow any student to stay beyond five years. We are now making ID cards compulsory... we tell students to carry ID cards at all times and produce them when asked for. We are asking students to report as well since there are students who don't like these outsiders," she added.  JNU had in 2019 issued a list of pending mess dues from hostel residents amounting to over Rs 2.79 crore, creating an uproar from various quarters. The students' union had then termed the move as an attempt to threaten students.  The university also saw massive protests in 2019 when it introduced a fee hike.  The allegations of 'freeloaders' on the campus were also raised after the 2016 sedition controversy over 'anti-national' slogans raised at the university that led to the arrest of the then-students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar, along with others.  Several online petitions were then started to stop funding JNU with taxpayers' money.  The administration's attempts to push for CCTVs on campus and make carrying IDs compulsory have been met with resistance from the students' union, which has been accusing the university brass of converting the campus into a 'jail'.
—PTI

JNU Vice Chancellor addresses the issue of freeloaders on campus, tightening regulations amidst controversies and student resistance.

'JNU has problem of freeloaders', says V-C Santishree Pandit; cites overstaying students, illegal guests

Prayagraj: The Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Council declared the class 10 and 12 results on Saturday. The results revealed 89.55 pass percentage for high school and 82.60 pass percentage for intermediate candidates. Sitapur candidates dominated the state rankings this year in both high school and intermediate exams. Prachi Nigam from Sitapur secured the first position in high school with 98.50%, followed by Deepika Sonkar from Fatehpur with 98.33%, and Navya Singh from Sitapur with 98% marks. In the intermediate exams, Shubham Verma from Sitapur topped with 97.80%, followed by Vishu Chaudhary from Baghpat and Kajal Singh from Amroha, both scoring 97.60%. In the high school results, out of the total passed candidates, 12,38,422 are boys and 12,23,604 are girls. The passing percentage of boys and girls is 86.05% and 93.40, respectively. The passing rate of girls is 7.35% higher than that of boys. In Intermediate, the passed out candidates comprise 10,43,289 boys and 9,82,778 girls. Girls have recorded a 10.64% higher passing percentage than boys, with 88.42% compared to boys' 77.78%. Director of Education (Secondary) Dr. Mahendra Dev and Secretary of Secondary Education Council Dibyakant Shukla, while declaring the results, said that with the board examination of the year 2024, the Secondary Education Council has also set new records. "This year, the UP Board achieved a significant milestone by completing the examinations within a record 12 working days. Simultaneously, the evaluation of answer sheets was also efficiently conducted within the same timeframe. This marks the second consecutive year, following 2023, where the board has released results in record time, a first in its 100-year history."* He further detailed that the high school and intermediate exams were held from February 22 to March 09, 2024, across 8,265 examination centres. The evaluation of answer sheets for both levels was accomplished between March 16 and March 30, 2024, at 259 evaluation centres scattered across various districts of Madhya Pradesh. A total of 29,47,335 candidates registered for the high school examination, comprising 29,36,353 institutional candidates and 11,982 individual candidates. Of these, 27,38,999 institutional and 10,365 individual candidates, totaling 27,49,384 candidates, appeared for the exam. The gender distribution among the candidates was 14,39,243 boys and 13,10,121 girls. Out of these, 24,62,026 candidates, including 24,55,041 institutional and 6,985 individual candidates, passed the exam. Institutional candidates achieved a passing percentage of 89.63%, while individual candidates had a passing percentage of 67.39%. The passing percentage for institutional candidates was 22.24% higher than that of individual candidates. The evaluation was conducted by 94,802 examiners. Compared to 2023, there was a slight decrease of 0.59% in the passing percentage for boys, while the passing percentage for girls increased by 0.06%. Overall, there was a marginal decrease of 0.23% in the overall passing rate. A total of 25,78,007 candidates registered for the intermediate examination, consisting of 24,25,426 institutional and 1,52,581 individual candidates. Of these, 24,52,830 candidates, including 23,16,910 institutional and 1,35,920 individual candidates, took the exam. Among these candidates, 13,41,356 were boys and 11,11,474 were girls. A total of 20,26,067 candidates passed the exam, with 19,08,647 being institutional and 1,17,420 being individual candidates. The passing percentage was 82.38% for institutional candidates and 86.39% for individual candidates. The passing percentage for institutional candidates was 4.01% lower than that of individual candidates. The evaluation involved 52,295 examiners. Compared to 2023, there was a decrease of 1,90,173 candidates appearing for the intermediate exams. There was a notable increase of 2.54% in the number of candidates achieving honours in the first division, along with a rise of 2.83% in candidates passing in the first division. Boys' passing rate increased by 8.44%, and girls' passing rate saw a rise of 5.42%. Overall, there was an impressive increase of 7.08% in the overall passing percentage. —ANI

The Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Council declared the class 10 and 12 results on Saturday

UP Board Announces High School And Intermediate Exam Results

Bulandshahr: It has been an extraordinary journey for Pawan Kumar, the son of a labourer who has grown up in a mud house in extreme poverty with an asbestos roof above his head but is now set to become an officer after clearing Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams. Kumar, who hails from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, had all the reasons to compromise with his dreams but decided to fight with his destiny and achieve it and finally cracked the civil services exams, securing AIR 239. The Civil Services Examination conducted by the UPSC is one of the most challenging competitive examinations in India, with a rigorous process spanning around one year and requiring extensive preparation. The exam recruits candidates for higher Civil Services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Foreign Service, and Indian Police Service. Pawan said that he mostly did self-study as the condition of his family was such that he could not afford expensive coaching classes. "This was my third attempt. My family had a very big role to play in my journey, especially my parents and my sisters. The exam is tough, and the syllabus is very vast, but it is not impossible to crack it. Taking coaching is not necessary. The condition of my family was such that I could not afford such expensive coaching classes. I mostly did self-study. You can make use of the internet for help, and carry on with honesty in your attempts. Perseverance is very important," Kumar said. Pawan Kumar's small mud house, where half a dozen cattle are tied under the thatched cowshed, is now buzzing with his well-wishers. Pawan Kumar's elated mother, Suman Devi, who was waiting to witness the day of his son's success, was carrying pride in her heart and voice. "I feel good that we got to see this day. We have a thatch roof that leaked when it rained. It caused us a lot of trouble. We don't have money to be able to afford a gas cylinder, that's why we still use a stove. I worked hard as a labourer. He would study at home in silence, using his mobile phone," Suman Devi said. Mukesh Kumar, Pawan's father, who spent several nights awaken worrying about the foods and daily needs, got overwhelmed over his son's performance and his journey, irrespective of their circumstances. "His hard work and our support for him, irrespective of our circumstances, have brought him to this stage. We did all sorts of odd jobs to be able to afford his and our daughters' education. We saved money with a lot of difficulty so he could prepare well. We couldn't renovate our house because we educated our children. Our roof leaked during rain, and we would all spend the night sitting in one place, but he was adamant about studying. We often went to bed hungry. God has now blessed us," Mukesh Kumar said. Pawan Kumar's sister Goldie remembered the hard work her family did just to afford a mobile phone to Pawan. "We lived in a peaceful environment, and he liked silence. He lived and studied under this roof, and when there was no electricity, he would study in the light of the kerosene lamp. We did all sorts of odd jobs for money. He needed a mobile phone, so we all worked hard to afford a phone for him so he could study," she said. Meanwhile, Aditya Srivastava, an alumnus of IIT Kanpur, topped the UPSC Civil Services 2023 exam. Srivastava and Animesh Pradhan scored AIR 1 and 2, respectively, followed by Donuru Ananya Reddy in the third spot. —ANI

It has been an extraordinary journey for Pawan Kumar, the son of a labourer who has grown up in a mud house in extreme poverty

Labourer's Son Pawan Kumar Clears UPSC; Ranks 239

Tel Aviv [Israel]: Haifa University appointed Professor Mona Maron as rector on Thursday, making her the first Israeli Arab to be appointed to the position in an Israeli university. A world-renowned researcher in the field of neuroscience and post-trauma, Maron will replace Prof. Gur Alroey, who in October will become the university president.
"I am grateful for the trust I received from the members of the university senate and look forward to taking up the position. First and foremost, the University of Haifa is a home for me. A home that welcomed me into its ranks more than 30 years ago, as an undergraduate student, then as a faculty member in the neurobiology department and now with the rector's role," Maron said. "I pledge to continue to invest my all in my academic home, to continue to promote first and foremost outstanding research and to continue to be a beacon of science and excellence in the heart of the north, promoting a common, genuine and daily existence between members of all religions and denominations in Israel."
A Maronite Christian from the village of Isfiya, near Haifa, Maron has been a trailblazer for the integration and advancement of women in the sciences, particularly within the Arab community. She was the first Arab woman from her village to earn a doctoral degree and Israel's first Arab professor of neuroscience. She researches the neural and molecular basis of anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, and is examining, among other things, the possibility of "erasing" memories of fear, through the silencing of the neural mechanisms responsible for forming fear memories in the brain. Maron completed her three degrees at the University of Haifa and did her post-doctorate in France at the University of Paris.  Maron has been currently serving as the university's Vice President for Research. "Mona was chosen because she is an outstanding researcher, because she is an excellent vice president for research who promoted academic excellence and that the members of the faculty believed that she was the right person to continue advancing the university towards our goals and objectives," said Alroey. "And at our university, the right person can be a man or a woman, a Jew or an Arab -- it really does not matter and is not important. This is the meaning of our shared existence." Around 18,000 students are enrolled in the public research institution.
—ANI

Haifa University appoints Professor Mona Maron as its first Israeli Arab rector, marking a significant step in promoting diversity and excellence in academia.

Prof Mona Maron appointed first Arab rector of an Israeli university

Bageshwar (Uttarakhand): Books are invaluable heritage of our life. Without knowledge we experience difficulty at every step. In today's competitive time, books not only introduce us to the outside world but also prepare us for future .In view of these things, the book "Dard" written by poet, writer and teacher Prem Prakash Upadhyay "Natural" has also been described as an excellent book by former Chairman CBSE Mr. Dr. Rajeev Joshi. He has described the chapters written in this book as readable and inspirational. Today, in a simple ceremony, Shri Upadhyay has presented this book to the district library for the benefit of children. Library in-charge Mr. Bhuvan Chandra Joshi expressed happiness over this and congratulated Prem for gifting the book. Real life experiences have been woven into this book. He has requested all the readers to read it so that they can get maximum benefit. In the book, along with Hindi, English, poetry collection is also written in Kumaoni language. Professor Saheb, treatment, hai gyo, date, falling pearls, research, beginning, one day like this, humor, love of this world and that world, nurturer, strong mountain, eloquence of time etc. Prem included these topics in his creation. Commendble work have done by mr Prem, many readers of the library said. For book lovers, reading this book will be an experience as well as interesting.

Explore "Dard," an inspiring book by Prem Prakash, blending Hindi, English, and Kumaoni poetry. Endorsed by ex-CBSE Chairman, it's a must-read for literary aficionados.

Prem presented his self-written book 'Dard' to the district library

New Delhi: The application deadline for Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG has been further extended till April 5, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Sunday.
The first deadline was March 26, which was initially extended to March 31.  "The deadline for online submission of the application form for the CUET-UG – 2024 has been extended up to 9:50 PM on April 5, 2024 based on the request received from candidates and other stakeholders," said Sadhana Parashar, Senior Director (Exams), NTA.
"Candidates can also use school ID or any government ID with photograph to facilitate identification," she added.  The exam is scheduled to be conducted from May 15 to 31.  The standardised test was introduced in 2022 to streamline admission processes across central, state, deemed and private universities nationwide.  A notable departure from tradition, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has outlined a hybrid examination format for CUET-UG 2024, including both computer-based testing and pen-and-paper modes for different subjects.  Officials have indicated that subjects witnessing high registration volumes will adopt a pen-and-paper format using optical mark recognition (OMR), while others will remain computer-based.  In the previous cycle, approximately 14.9 lakh registrations were recorded for CUET-UG, highlighting its significance in the higher education landscape.
—PTI

NTA extends CUET-UG 2024 application deadline to April 5. New hybrid exam format announced, blending computer-based tests with pen-and-paper modes for comprehensive assessment.

CUET-UG deadline extended again, now till April 5

A young girl named Priya lives in the busy streets of a charming Indian village, where the scent of freshly brewed chai dances in the air and the morning sun greets the soil softly. Priya is the embodiment of the hopes and dreams of innumerable young girls in rural India, with her bright eyes full of inquiry and her dreams as big as the open sky. But beneath her contagious smile is a story of tenacity and will in the face of overwhelming adversity—a story representative of the problems facing girls' education in the nation. Priya takes the burden of social expectations and constraints with her when she travels to the nearby school every day, traversing uneven trails and brilliant wheat fields.Priya has a desire to learn to build a better future for herself, but she keeps running against obstacles that could ruin her plans to go to school. The 2023 report on the status of primary education in the hinterlands of India was recently released by Dharmendra Pradhan, India's Minister of Education. The data laid out in the paper makes it abundantly evident that there is growing support in Indian communities for girls' education. The survey indicates that 82% of rural parents today hope their sons will follow in their sons' footsteps and 78% of parents in rural areas hope their girls would pursue higher education or a degree.  The survey's statistics provide insight into how attitudes about girls' education are evolving in India.But even with this change, there are still a lot of obstacles in the way of educating half of the country's people and achieving economic independence. Even in this day and age, educating girls is not an easy task. The same survey also found that girls are more likely than boys to drop out of primary school, with 75% of these youngsters being girls.  In India, just 11% of villages have high schools that offer instruction up to the 10th grade, and only 6.57% of villages have senior secondary schools (grades 11 and 12). This information comes from a report released by the Ministry of Rural Development. An examination of states shows that over 15% of villages in almost ten states still lack access to education.In rural areas, parents do not send their daughters to school for a basic education because there are no further education facilities. Due to the lack of surrounding schools, even if they are admitted, they frequently stop their education after primary school.  A Development Intelligence Unit poll indicates that about 37% of village parents admit that shifting household chores forces them to stop their daughters' schooling in the middle of the term. Furthermore, according to 21.1% of parents, girls' assistance with home duties, attention for younger siblings, and support for their mothers ultimately results in their dropping out of school.  Girls are further isolated from employment prospects by the low enrollment of females in higher education.According to numerous research, young women in India around the ages of 15 and 25 have an unemployment rate of 11.5%, while young men in the same age range have an unemployment rate of 9.8%.  According to all of these data, there roughly 145 million illiterate women in India; the problem is worse in rural than in urban regions. The depressing situation of girls' education is caused by a number of causes, including patriarchy, social biases, gender inequity, and women's safety. A recent Ministry of Health survey also found a direct link between mothers' educational attainment and the nutritional health of their children.  Girls' education needs to be prioritized if India is to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024. Building a healthy human capital in the nation requires both community involvement and government efforts, of which girls' education is a critical component.

Explore the challenges of girls' education in rural India, insights from Dharmendra Pradhan's report, and the path to economic empowerment.

Unveiling the Challenges: Girls' Education in Rural India

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has disaffiliated 20 schools, including five in Delhi, for enrolling dummy students and ineligible candidates, its secretary Himanshu Gupta said on Friday.
The board has also downgraded the affiliation of three schools.  "Pursuant to a surprise inspection conducted in CBSE schools across the country to check whether the schools are running according to the provisions and norms contained in the affiliation and examination bye-laws, it was found that some schools were committing various malpractices of presenting dummy students, ineligible candidates and not maintaining records properly," Gupta said.
"After a thorough inquiry, it has been decided to disaffiliate 20 schools and downgrade three schools," he added.  Five of the disaffiliated schools are in Delhi, three in Uttar Pradesh, two each in Kerala, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, and one each is in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.  The schools with downgraded affiliation are in Delhi, Punjab and Assam.
 Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/up-madarsa-education-act-2004-unconstitutional-violative-of-principle-of-secularism:-allahabad-hc" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/up-madarsa-education-act-2004-unconstitutional-violative-of-principle-of-secularism:-allahabad-hc</a>&nbsp;
 The disaffiliated schools include Sidhhartha Public School, Bharat Mata Saraswati Bal Mandir, National Public School, Chand Ram Public Senior Secondary School and Marigold Public School in Delhi, Loyal Public School (Bulandshahr), Trinity World School (Gautam Buddh Nagar), Crescent Convent School (Ghazipur) in Uttar Pradesh, Prince UCH Madhyamik Vidyalaya (Sikar) and Global Indian International School, (Jodhpur) in Rajasthan.  Dronacharya Public School and Vicon School in Chhattisgarh's Raipur, Rahul International School (Thane) and Pioneer Public School (Pune) in Maharashtra, Peevees Public School (Malappuram) and Mother Theresa Memorial Central School (Thiruvananthapuram) in Kerala, Sai RNS Academy in Assam's Guwahati, Sardar Patel Public School (Bhopal) in Madhya Pradesh, Kartar Public School (Kathua) in Jammu and Kashmir and Gyan Einstein International School (Dehradun) in Uttarakhand are also on the list.  The schools with downgraded affiliation are -- The Vivekanand School in Delhi, Sri Dasmesh Senior Secondary Public School in Punjab's Bhatinda and Sreeram Academy in Assam's Barpeta.  Scores of students preparing for engineering and medical entrance exams prefer to take admission in dummy schools so that they can focus solely on their preparations for the competitive exams. They do not attend classes and straightaway appear in the board exams.  Aspirants also choose dummy schools keeping in mind the quota in medical and engineering institutes available for the students from certain states. For example, the candidates who have completed Classes 11 and 12 in Delhi are considered for admission in the medical colleges of the national capital under the Delhi State Quota.  With the number of suicides among competitive exam aspirants in Rajasthan's Kota touching a record high last year, experts have been warning against the concept of "dummy schools", saying students staying away from regular schools early often struggle with restricted personality development and growth.  The issue was also flagged by former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot last year in the wake of a rising number of student suicides. Gehlot had referred to dummy schools as "fake schools".  "Students of classes 9 and 10 are enrolled in coaching institutes. You are committing a crime in a way. As if the IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) is the god. As soon as students come to these coaching institutes, they are enrolled in fake schools," the veteran Congress leader had said.  In a recent interview with PTI, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also said the issue of dummy schools cannot be ignored anymore.  "Although the number of such students is not very high compared to the total number of students ... but the time has come to have serious discussions and deliberations on the subject," Pradhan had said.
—PTI

CBSE takes strict action by disaffiliating 20 schools, including notable ones in Delhi, for enrolling dummy students, signaling a crackdown on malpractices in education.

CBSE disaffiliates 20 schools for enrolling dummy students; 5 of them in Delhi, 3 in UP

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh): The Allahabad High Court on Friday declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, "unconstitutional" and violative of the principle of secularism. The Lucknow bench of Allahabad, while declaring the law as ultra vires, asked the state government to accommodate current students in the formal schooling system.
A division comprising Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi passed the verdict on a writ petition filed by a person named Anshuman Singh Rathore. "Since there are large numbers of Madarsas and Madarsa students in the State of U.P., the State Government is directed to take steps forthwith for accommodating these Madarsa students in regular schools recognized under the Primary Education Board and schools recognized under the High School and Intermediate Education Board of State of UP. The State Government for the said purpose shall ensure that as per requirement sufficient number of additional seats are created and further if required, sufficient number of new schools are established," the bench said.  The State Government shall also ensure that children between the ages of 6 to 14 years are not left without admission in duly recognized institutions, the bench added. Anshuman Singh Rathore had challenged the constitutionality of the UP Madarsa Board as well as objected to the management of madarsa by the Minority Welfare Department, both by the Union of India and the state government. "In view of the foregoing discussion, we hold that the Madarsa Act, 2004, is violative of the principle of Secularism, which is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution of India, violative of Articles 14, 21 and 21-A of the Constitution of India and violative of Section 22 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. Accordingly, the Madarsa Act,2004 is declared unconstitutional," the bench observed. "Further, we are not deciding the validity of Section 1(5) of the R.T.E. Act as we have already held the Madarsa Act to be ultra vires and we are also informed by learned counsel for both the parties that in State of UP Vadik Pathshalas do not exist," it added.
—ANI

Allahabad High Court rules UP Madarsa Education Act, 2004 unconstitutional, mandates integration of students into formal schooling, upholding secularism.

UP Madarsa Education Act, 2004, unconstitutional, violative of principle of secularism: Allahabad HC

New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Tuesday postponed the civil services preliminary examination to June 16 from May 26 due to the Lok Sabha elections.
The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and the Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.
'Due to the schedule of the impending general election, the commission has decided to postpone the civil services (preliminary) examination-2024 which also serves as screening test for Indian Forest Service examination, 2024, from 26-05-2024 to 16-06-2024,' it said.  The Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Counting of votes will be on June 4.
—PTI

UPSC postpones civil services exam to June 16 due to Lok Sabha elections. Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) affected.

UPSC Civil Services Prelims postponed to June 16 due to Lok Sabha polls

Pune: The Maharashtra government has introduced a dress code for school teachers in the state, disallowing them to wear t-shirts, jeans or any other shirt having designs and pictures.
The teachers can now use the prefix 'Tr' before their names. According to a government resolution (GR) issued by the School Education Department on Friday, the state has asked schools to decide the dress code for their respective male and female teachers.  The move will be applicable to all the schools, including private, aided and non-aided, in the state, the GR said.
“The dress worn by teachers should be neat. The female teachers should wear saree or dress (salwar, chudidar, kurta and dupatta) and male teachers can wear trousers and shirts (tucked in),” said the resolution.  The government has allowed the schools to choose the colour of the dress code and advised that the shirt of the male teacher should be light whereas the trousers should be dark.  “Teachers are not allowed to wear t-shirts, jeans or any other shirt having designs, pictures,” the GR said.  The resolution has permitted the teachers to use the prefix 'Tr' in front of their names on the lines of doctors and advocates.
—PTI

Maharashtra mandates dress code for teachers, disallowing t-shirts, jeans, introduces 'Tr' prefix. Guidelines set for male and female attire.

Maharashtra introduces dress code for school teachers; T-shirts, jeans not allowed

Gandhinagar: Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IIT-GN) is organizing a Virtual Open House on 17th March 2024 to create awareness among students and working professionals about its e-Masters degree programme in Data Science for Decision Making.  A unique aspect of this programme is its flexibility for students to complete it both earlier or later than the scheduled two-year course period. This way, they can attend the course and design it as per whichever timeline suits their requirements.  Those interested in learning about this programme can join the Virtual Open House, scheduled for 11 am, 17th March 2024, through the following link - https://iitgn-ac-in.zoom.us/j/94978849109  Data Science is known for being a powerful tool for influencing personal and professional decisions in the increasingly digital world. Thus globally, there is a demand for skilled professionals who can turn raw data into meaningful insights and utilize that for greater benefits. IIT Gandhinagar is offering this e-Masters degree Programme to meet this growing need, and nurture skilled professionals who can take their interests to new heights.  Admissions are currently open for the inaugural batch of this programme, which will commence in May 2024. The last date to apply for the course is 5th April 2024. Interested candidates can register on the IIT-GN Postgraduate Admission Portal - https://admissions.iitgn.ac.in/pgadmission/login   Even while the course will be taught online, the class size has been restricted to 40 to ensure the faculty can pay attention to every single one of the students.  Highlighting the programme’s flexibility, Prof Amit Prashant, Dean (Research and Development), IIT Gandhinagar, said, “While this Degree programme is designed to be completed in two years, candidates can customise their timeline. Working professionals or full-time students can pace themselves by setting their schedules with the possibility of completing it in 1.5 years or extending it to around 2.5 years. Tailoring the timeline to individual needs will enable students to cope with the rigorous course structure that involves intensive assignments, practicals, and industry projects, all subject to regular evaluation.”  One of the programme's primary goals is to equip students with the core competencies needed to enter the workforce immediately upon completing the course. To provide students with the requisite industry-relevant experiences, the programme includes a mandatory yearly 2-week residency. During these residencies, students will participate in intensive workshops and seminars, immersing themselves in an active learning environment.  Speaking about the other e-Masters programme’s of IIT Gandhinagar, Ms. Girija Dave, an Industry Professional who is currently enrolled in the Institutes’ e-Masters Programme in Energy Policy and Regulation, said, “The IIT-GN e-Masters programme offers the opportunity to continuously learn, grow and reap benefits from the professionally designed curriculum and engage with Industry experts and peers / other personnel across the industry. The curriculum is curated using interdisciplinary approaches and designed to provide an in-person classroom experience virtually. The rigour necessitated to complete the assignments, and case studies and fulfill the industry-project requirements provided me with real-world experiences, enhancing my understanding and preparing me for the industry challenges ahead.”  The course blends theoretical knowledge with practical applications, catering to students from diverse academic and industry backgrounds. It offers 100 per cent synchronous learning, enabling direct real-time engagement with instructors and classmates. These aspects, combined with small instructional batches and continuous evaluation, ensure individual guidance, enhancing the overall learning experience.  Outlining the vision behind this programme, Prof Pratyush Dayal, Faculty in-charge, IITGN-X, the education outreach programme of IIT Gandhinagar, said, “The e-Masters degree programme is IITGN’s attempt to educate and equip individuals with the necessary skill set to navigate the increasingly complex digital world. One can push the boundaries of innovation and technology by leveraging data to augment business decisions and research methodologies. The programme envisions producing industry-competent graduates who can harness the power of data for decision-making to empower a new generation of leaders who drive positive change.”  Recognising the importance of connecting education with professional success, the programme emphasises the creation of placement opportunities for the enrolled students. IIT-GN’s Career Development Services (CDS) office will facilitate placements with varied industries. Students will benefit from CDS resources tailored to help them explore and strategise their career paths effectively. Moreover, CDS will ensure that candidates have access to the same recruitment opportunities as those in the regular IITGN MTech program.

Join IIT-GN's Virtual Open House on 17th March 2024 to learn about the new e-Masters in Data Science for Decision Making.

IIT Gandhinagar to conduct Virtual Open House on 17th March 2024 for its Data Science e-Masters Degree Programme

Imphal: The Manipur government will introduce grading system for the class 10 board examination from this year, an official statement said.
No division or rank will be awarded in the grading system for the high school leaving certificate examination (class 10), said the statement issued by Joint Secretary, Education Department, Elangbam Sonia on Thursday.  "In the grading system being introduced, no total marks/aggregate will be displayed in the document, no division/rank will be awarded and only pass/fail will be printed", the statement said.  Students will be graded with A1 for those getting 91 to 100 and A2 for those getting from 81 to 90. E1 would be awarded for those with 21 to 30 marks and would be termed as fail along with E2.
"The government felt that though competition amongst the students is good to improve one's performance, there is a need to see that it does not lead to stress or completely dishearten a minor", it said, adding that "grading system reduces stress and burden on the students helping them to learn with less stress without being over competitive at their age".  At least 37,715 students including 18,628 female students are appearing for the matriculation examination which is being held from March 15 to April 8 in 154 examination centres, an official said.
—PTI

Manipur introduces a grading system for Class 10 exams to reduce student stress, with no ranks or divisions. Over 37,000 students to participate.

Manipur to introduce grading system in Class 10 board examination

Bharuch: The parents of some girl students appearing for Class X examination in a Gujarat school have alleged that the administrator of the exam centre forced their wards to remove hijab before a paper, prompting the education department to take action against the school official.
According to the parents, the incident occurred at Lions School, a private school in Ankleshwar town in Bharuch district, on Wednesday before the mathematics paper.  Following the allegation, the state education department on Thursday ordered the removal of the exam centre administrator, Ilaben Suratiya, who is also the principal of that school.
The action against her was taken by District Education Officer Swati Raol, after she met the parents of these girl students, officials said. The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB), which conducts the Class X exams, made it clear that there are no specific rules about the clothes worn by the examinees, and they can appear for the exam in any "decent" attire.  Talking to reporters, a parent said, "The school principal and other staff harassed the girl students, including my own daughter, by asking them to remove their hijab ahead of the exam. My daughter cried for three hours after returning home. It happened with nearly a dozen girls yesterday. We want the authorities to take action against those involved in this act."  Lions School has been selected as one of the exam centres by the GSHSEB. As per the rules, it is compulsory to have CCTV recording of each and every classroom, where students write their exam papers. According to the parents, one such CCTV footage accessed by them showed that some women supervisors asked two Muslim girl students to remove their hijabs.  The women can be seen collecting the hijab from the two students. When confronted by the parents, Suratiya told them that she asked the girls to remove the hijabs because their faces were not clearly visible in the video recording.  "As per the rules, the faces of all the students must be clear in the video recording. That's why we had asked the girls to remove their scarves before the exam so that we don't have to disturb them during the exam and others also don't get disturbed," Suratiya said.  After meeting the parents, Raol ordered the removal of Suratiya as the exam centre administrator and ordered a probe into the incident. "I have seen the CCTV footage and the parents also gave their application to me in this regard. I have ordered an inquiry into the incident and also started the process to change the exam centre administrator because I found merit in the complaint. There are no specific instructions or guidelines from the board about the attire to be worn during exams," said Raol.  Exam Director of the GSHSEB, M K Raval, said students can appear for the exam wearing any decent attire. "There are no specific rules about clothes to be worn during exams. Students can wear any decent attire. Any woman supervisor can check the identity of a female student ahead of the exam by matching her face with the photo on the receipt. After that, we have no issues," Raval said.
—PTI

Gujarat school's hijab removal incident before Class X exams leads to swift action against principal, highlighting the importance of attire freedom in educational institutions.

Girl students of Class X exam asked to remove hijab in Gujarat school

Gone are the days when healthcare referred to simply doctors and nurses. With the booming medical tourism in India, this sector is also showing growth in all terms. Be it the size of the hospitals or the expertise required for their operation, specialized courses have developed. If you failed to qualify for the MBBS entrance exam or wish to be in the medical field but don’t find yourself efficient to handle patients, then also the healthcare sector has a lot of opportunities for you. There is an ever growing demand for super-specialists. Even the engineers are needed. You must have noticed that hospitals have personalized apps. They need skilled engineers to design and maintain them. Here, we will be telling you about the numerous career opportunities in the healthcare sector.  Job Prospects and Career Opportunities in Healthcare Sector Physician: When we talk about the healthcare sector, a Doctor is the first image that appears. Undoubtedly, doctors are the pillars of healthcare. You can be a doctor by clearing the national level test NEET. Also, you need to have studied physics, chemistry, and biology in your intermediate. There are also many private medical colleges that conduct their separate tests. After completing the four and a half year long MBBS, you can get yourself registered as a practitioner. Nowadays, there is a demand for super specialists. So, it will be better for you to do MD as well. Higher degrees will be better. A doctor’s job is one of the highest paying ones. The government hospitals and private hospitals all pay them handsomely. Dentist: Tooth problems are always there. And to deal with them, we need skilled Dentists. There is an upsurge in dental issues with polluted water, unhealthy eating habits and obviously lifestyle stress. Apart from the traditional dental extractions and implants, we also have now cosmetic dentistry. People opt to undergo knife to fix the misalignment of their teeth, to improve their facial appearance and all such purposes. For being a dentist, you first need to do BDS. Its selection is done through the nationwide medical test NEET. After your BDS, you should go for higher studies for higher prospects. Nurse: A Nurse is the one who is in charge of doing all the tests and taking care of the patient until he/she is discharged. They can be seen drawing out blood, collecting a urine sample, administering medicines, training patients for some techniques like taking insulin shots etc. if you are passionate towards the ill and ailing, you can get into this career. You first need to have physics, chemistry, and biology in your intermediate. After that, complete a nursing course. In our country, we have a B.Sc.(Nursing), ANM and GNM courses. On successful completion of the course, you need to get yourself registered with the state nursing registration council. After being a registered nurse, you can work in public as well as private clinics. Dietician: Most hospitals have a group of Dieticians who prepare the diet chart for patients while their stay in the hospital and also afterwards. They take into account the medical history, current complications and also daily requirements. You must have noticed that patients suffering from kidney dysfunction get a diet chart upon their release from the hospitals. It is the dieticians who prepare that. There are a number of colleges that offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in food Nutrition and Dietetics. After completing masters, you need to clear the registered dietician exams to get a practising license. After that only you can work as a dietician. This is a very attractive field. A number of people are suffering from lifestyle disorders and need a properly planned diet. With advancement in clinical science, doctors recommend their patients to have a balanced diet throughout their life. As a dietician, you can work with health clinics or even practice independently. Counsellors: Hospitals don’t always get the patients with physical trauma only. They also get the ones who have deep psychological trauma. A Counselor role comes into the picture in these cases. There are cases when a person is so much tortured that they fail to open up to register a police complaint. A couple becomes rigid on conceiving a child even though this may lead to the death of the mother. A counsellor counsels them, works for the betterment of their mental state and also towards a permanent recovery. Their primary role is to ensure a healthy mental state of the patients. To be a counsellor in the healthcare industry, you need to have at least an M.Phil (Psychology). After that, you should get yourself registered with the rehabilitation council of India. Many universities are registered with RCI. So, the students get their license soon after completing their M.Phil. in case your university isn’t registered, you can appear for the independent exam conducted by RCI. Physiotherapist: There are always patients who need physical therapies for getting better. Went here is an accident victim with a damaged spinal cord, their recovery needs a regular physiotherapy. Even the sportspersons need this from time to time. Most hospitals especially the orthopaedic ones have their own team of Physiotherapists. You too can be a physiotherapist if you have studied physics, chemistry, and biology in your intermediate. After that, you can go for a diploma as well as degree courses in physiotherapy. Like all the other streams, it is better to go for the masters and specialization. There is always a demand for physiotherapists who specialize in paediatrics, gerontology, and trauma. The salary starts at 30k per month. Of course, much of it depends on the hospital. And, if you succeed in establishing your own clinic, it can be even better. However, you must ensure that the college in which you are studying is recognized by the Indian Association of physiotherapists. Medical Lab Technician: All the hospitals have their own pathology lab. Apart from the Pathologists, Lab Technicians are also needed. As a Lab Technician, you will be required to study and detect diseases in the patient’s body samples. If your hospital has an oncology department, you will be also required to detect malignancy of the tumours. This is a highly technical and specialized job. Not only that, this one will always remain in demand. Even with all the automation, it will be the human intellect and expertise required in creating slides and studying them. If you find this career thrilling, you can get yourself enrolled either in the Diploma in MLT or related Degree course in medical laboratory technologies. You can start your work with any diagnostic centre or hospital. Pharmacist: A Pharmacist is a person behind the drug prescriptions to the patients. You can get into this field by completing B.Pharma first. There are government as well as private colleges offering this course. After that, it depends completely on you to choose either in an MNC associated with drug manufacture or some hospital. You can also get into the research field. Hospital Management: This is a budding career with lots of potentials. The big hospital chains need more than just doctors and ancillary services to function properly. They need to have a proper management. Managing a hospital is completely different from managing a business firm. There are cases of emergency, medical epidemic and constant renewal of technical equipment. The role of a candidate with hospital management comes in the picture here. There are some institutes that specialize in offering MBA (Hospital Management). After doing your MBA (Hospital Management), you can join in the leading private hospitals as their manager.  Veterinarian: When we talk about health care, we can’t exclude our pets. If you find yourself more inclined to tend to the medical needs of these speechless creatures, you can become a Veterinarian. You have to clear the AIPVT Entrance Exam, which is the national level test for getting admission in the BVSc. States also conduct their own entrance tests which are subject to the domicile of the candidate. Genetic Counselor: With the advancement in technology and growing awareness, people now know that many of their health issues are due to their genetic makeup. in the old days, people used to regard every mentally challenged child as the same. But now we know that they can suffer from Down's syndrome or Klinefelter's syndrome and so on. So, usually, doctors advise the expecting parents to get themselves tested genetically to rule out any such condition. As a genetic counsellor, you will be required to educate them about the pros and cons of getting this test done. You will be counselling them if any genetic anomaly is detected. You will be doing the same with the cancer patients too. To get into this field, you need to have a certification from the board of genetic counsellors in India. Unfortunately, there are very few institutes that currently offer a course in the genetic counselling. VIT offers a full-time M.Sc (Biomedical Genetics) with genetic counselling, Manipal hospitals Bangalore offer a certificate course in genetic counselling, and Kamineni Hospital, Hyderabad offers a post-graduate certificate course in medical and genetic counselling. So the competition to get there is really tough. But the scope is unlimited. If you wish to go abroad, the career prospect is much brighter. They are in high demand there. Biomedical Engineer: With the growing demand for non-invasive surgeries, robotic surgeries, and accurate surgical devices, the Biomedical Engineers are going to be in high demand. The role of a biomedical engineer is to act as the intermediary between the hospital needs and industrial manufacture. It is more of an R&amp;D job. We have IITs, NITs and some good private colleges offering diploma, certificate, undergraduate courses like B.Tech.(Biomedical Engineering)as well as postgraduate courses. But unfortunately, in our country, it has got a limited scope. But, if you choose to go abroad, it will give you tremendous returns.  Radiation Therapist: With a swift rise in the number of cancer patients, the need for radiation therapists has also risen. You can do a diploma or a full-time graduation in Radiation Technology. Currently, there isn’t any national entrance test. Colleges take the candidate based on their intermediate marks or their own entrance test. After completing the graduation, you need to get yourself a post-graduate specialization in medical oncology or radiology or oncology. After that, you will be eligible to work as a radiation therapist. You will get numerous opportunities in cancer-specialist hospitals.  The medical field is a vast arena. There are many untapped professions which are very good paying and have bright prospects. It is always better to look beyond the traditional career choices. You will get to explore a new field and carve a niche for yourself. We hope you have decided what you wish to be.  —Vijay GarG Retired Principal Educational columnist malout&nbsp;

Discover the vast career opportunities in India's healthcare sector, from medical tourism to specialized roles.

Scope and opportunities in Career options in the Healthcare Industry

New Delhi (The Hawk): Union Minister of Education and Skill Development &amp; Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, launched various initiatives in School and Teacher Education, developed by the Department of School Education &amp; Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, today, at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi. Also present at the event were the Secretary, DoSEL, Shri Sanjay Kumar; Additional Secretary, DoSEL, Shri Anandrao Patil; Joint Secretary, Institutions &amp; Training, DoSEL, Ms. Prachi Pandey; Member Secretary, NCTE, Ms. Kesang Yangzom Sherpa; Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum NBA NAAC, Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe; Chairperson, NETF, Prof. Chamu Krishna Shastry; Director, NCERT, Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani; Director, CIIL, Mysore, Dr. Shailendra Mohan; senior officials of the Ministry of Education, NCTE, NCERT and other dignitaries. Shri Pradhan also launched the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) and National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST), 52 Primers in Indian languages, printed books on NMM and NPST, various schemes/guidelines with Video of SCERTs/DIETs; Video of Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) and 200 TV Channels. Shri Pradhan, while speaking at the event, declared the day to be a landmark day in taking a step ahead towards becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047. He said that the launch of DIETS of Excellence, National Professional Standard for Teachers, National Mission for Mentoring, 52 Primers of NCERT, National Vidya Samiksha Kendra and 200 TV Channels will lead to the effective implementation of NEP 2020 at the grassroots, empower teachers and learners and will make quality education more inclusive, innovative and equitable. Reiterating the message that language is power and learning in mother tongue is transformational, Shri Pradhan said that the 52 Primers in Indian languages have paved the way for the beginning of a new civilizational renaissance. These initiatives will create a seamless and futuristic learning landscape, promote learning in Indian languages, realise the vision of NEP 2020 and holistically transform school education, he said. Shri Sanjay Kumar, in his address, highlighted the recommendation of NEP2020 to take GER in the secondary level to 100% by 2030 and how the Department is committed to fulfilling that. He also informed about the new textbooks for Classes 3-12, some of which have already been developed and the remaining ones will also be brought out soon. Shri Sanjay Kumar also emphasized the importance of the 52 Primers that were developed following the suggestions of Shri Pradhan. NMM The NEP 2020 has laid the framework for transforming the education system and the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) aims to provide valuable support and guidance to our dedicated teachers, ensuring their professional growth and empowering them to create a strong educational foundation for our students. The mission will run through a dedicated digital platform. Teachers will have access to quality mentoring sessions from experienced professionals as Mentors, catering to the diverse needs of learners with varying abilities. The Bluebook on NMM was finalized after incorporating the feedback/suggestions received as a result of in-house consultations, 15 Open House Discussions, inputs received from the pilot, other stakeholders’ discussions and outreach programmes. The Bluebook on NMM will be translated into the 22 scheduled languages, Braille and Audiobooks for wider circulation across the country. NPST The National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST), as envisioned in NEP 2020, focuses on improving the teachers’ personal and professional development by providing them with an understanding of what is expected in terms of their performance and what needs to be done to enhance the same. NPST Guiding Document ensures that all students at different levels/stages of school education are taught by passionate, motivated, highly qualified, professionally trained, and well-equipped teachers. It is a statement of quality and defines the competencies of teachers at different stages/levels. Its implementation needs collective efforts of the Centre, States, UTs, HEIs, Regulating Agencies / Regulatory Bodies and all other relevant stakeholders.The NPST Guiding Document will be translated into the 22 scheduled languages, Braille and Audiobooks for wider circulation across the country. 52 Primers in Indian languages The 52 Primers in Indian languages is going to be a transformational step for young learners, especially for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), providing them access to education in their mother tongue/local language. It will initiate an inspirational journey for young minds, paving the way for deeper understanding, lifelong learning, more familiarity and rootedness in indigenous culture and greater success in academics and beyond. PMeVidya: Launch of 200 DTH TV Channels under PMeVidya DTH TV Channels for School Education is an integral component of the PMeVidya Initiative which is aimed at unifying all efforts related to digital/online/on-air education to enable multi-mode access to education. To enable multi-mode resilient as well as coherent access to education, the PMeVidya DTH TV Channels are also made available on various platforms in addition to TV and radio facilitating design, development and dissemination of quality eContents for free. National Vidya Samiksha Kendra NCERT has made National Vidya Samiksha Kendra functional for facilitating research and development and capacity building program. Now, the National Vidya Samiksha Kendra has been integrated with their state counterparts. It has currently enabled visibility, insights, and actionability across 11 programs. National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA), DIKSHA, Energized Textbooks (ETBs), NIPUN Bharat initiative for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, NCERT Quiz, National Achievement Survey, Performance Grading Index (PGI), Unified District Information System for Education Plus, PM Poshan, National Curriculum Framework (NCF), Micro-Improvements program (recognition of best pedagogy practices) &amp; PRASHAST (A Disability Screening Checklist for Schools) and PM SHRI. DIETs of Excellence Financial assistance, totalling to Rs 9000 crores, will be provided to States/UTs for the physical upgradation of all 613 District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) to develop them as DIET of Excellence in the country in a phased manner in the next five years. Upto Rs. 15 Crore per DIET will be provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha for improving various infrastructural facilities. Hon'ble Minister made an announcement that, in future, all SCERTs would also be upgraded in a similar manner.

Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, launched various initiatives in School and Teacher

Dharmendra Pradhan Launches Various Initiatives In School And Teacher Education

Thiruvananthapuram: "What is the most expensive thing in the world," was a question asked by a student from the KTCT Higher Secondary School in Kallambalam here loudly, even as a humanoid draped in a saree listened attentively.
A necklace on the humanoid changed colour from green to orange, and it shook its head before giving out the answer with informative details as other children curiously listened.  This silk saree-draped humanoid is 'Iris', the first AI teacher unveiled in Kerala.  A disturbed network connection and the chatter from the children often slowed down Iris as it tried to catch the noises, presuming them to be questions asked to 'her'. And when there were too many noises, Iris took time to process the question.  But when the hall was silent and a student asked a question, either from their syllabus or anything under the sun, Iris gave out the answer in no time, with examples and references.
"Our next step is to give her 'eyes' so that she will identify each student and answer their questions. She would be becoming more interactive and completely automated," said Abhijith, an 8th standard student and one of the students who closely worked with Makerlabs Edutech Private Limited in the development of this AI-based teacher as part of an initiative of the Atal Tinkering Lab at the school.  He said that the AI teacher will not be able to answer the questions of the children if the classroom is noisy, so this teacher will make children more disciplined.  "The children are very excited, especially the lower KG students. They like this 'teacher' because she never gets angry or irritated and always has an answer to their questions. She also does not ask questions and never gives homework," Meera Suresh, the principal of the KTCT Higher Secondary School, told PTI.  Iris works on the generative AI principle with a capacity to convert voice into texts and also texts into voice. It can handle three languages and even shake hands with the students on request. It can also tell stories to the children.  "We have teachers who are experts in their subject. But the AI teacher is an expert in all subjects and never gets tired of answering the questions. Though it can answer all the questions, it is never going to be a replacement for teachers as it does not understand emotions and cannot care. This is just a support system for the teaching staff," Meera Suresh said.  The Iris humanoid moves on four wheels, turns its head both ways, and can also move its hands. The microphones are kept as a necklace on Iris, and it uses a speaker to talk back.  "The humanoid is developed by the Makerslab, whose faculty come to our Atal Tinkering Lab to train the students. The students have been learning all about AI and its process for the last four months at the lab," Akhila M, student coordinator and teacher at the school, said.  The Central Government gave a grant of Rs 20 lakh to this private, unaided school for establishing the Atal Tinkering Lab.  This school regularly takes part in the state youth festival and the state school science festival, and that helped them bag this project, which otherwise is given only to government-aided schools.  "The management also contributed another Rs 20 lakh and set up the lab. We selected the students based on their interest and capabilities in technology-based learning. Next year onwards, we are going to include one period during regular class hours for the Atal Tinkering Lab," Meera Suresh said.
—PTI

Iris, the AI teacher, is revolutionizing education at KTCT Higher Secondary School. With the ability to interact in three languages and respond to students' queries.

Kerala unveils first AI teacher 'Iris' in school

Pantnagar (The Hawk): Twenty students of Pantnagar University will be leaving for France for an unique opportunity to undergo internship training in modern agricultural techniques. The initiative is part of a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty of France and Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), Pantnagar.  Under a recently signed agreement, twenty students from Pantnagar University will embark on a month-long internship training program during March 8, 2024, to April 5, 2024, at various institutions of France within the DEFIAA Consortium. The focus of this training center is to provide students with hands-on experience and professional training in the field of food science and technology, including advances in agriculture.  Dr H J Shiva Prasad, the Director of International Affairs at Pantnagar University, highlighted the significance of the program, emphasizing its emphasis on practical skills in the domain of food technology, food science etc.  The selected students represent diverse disciplines, including Agriculture, Technology, Agribusiness, Community Science and BioTechnology. Notable students include Ms Seema Singh and Ms Srishti Vats pursuing Ph.D. in Food Technology, Mr Abhishek Nanda and Ms Kanika Bhakuni in Agronomy, and Ms Ishita Mishra in Agricultural Extension and Communication. From the College of Technology, students such as Mr Hemant Kumar Sharma (Ph.D. in Farm Machinery and Power Engineering) and Mr Akash Sundriyal (B.Tech in Agricultural Engineering) are part of the delegation. Additionally, Ms Roopal Gangwar PhD student from the College of Agribusiness Management will be undertaking an internship in Agricultural Business and Management. Undergraduate Students from the College of Community Science, including Ms Nisha Dani, Mr Shashank Gangwar, and Ms Abha Rawat, along with participants from the College of Basic Sciences Humanities, namely Ms Namrata and Mr Jayant Rai, studying B Tech(BioTech and MSc (Bio Tech) are also part of this delegation. The College of Fisheries is represented by Mr Kishan Singh, pursuing a B.Sc. in Fisheries, and Mr Saurabh Singh from the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. The Vice-Chancellor of Pantnagar University, Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan, extended his congratulations to the selected students, highlighting the importance of such international collaborations in enhancing the academic and practical skills of the students. The program is expected to contribute significantly to the students' knowledge base and promote cultural exchange between the two countries.

20 students from Pantnagar University seize an unprecedented opportunity in France, mastering advanced agricultural practices through a month-long internship.

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