Tata ClassEdge, a division of Tata Industries Ltd which provides technology-enabled instructional solutions for schools countrywide, was conferred the Best Interactive Solution Provider Award at the 8th Assocham Education Summit & National Excellence Awards 2015 staged in New Delhi recently. The short-listed finalists were judged on the parameters of innovation, scalability, ability to overcome challenges and overall impact.
According to Tata ClassEdge spokespersons, its proprietary Multiple Learning Experiences (MLE) model offers distinctive activities which promote students’ creativity, teamwork, research-orientation, and social, communication and critical thinking skills. “This is a proud moment for us, as this award is acknowledgment of our endeavours to introduce the best interactive pedagogies in Indian schools. The award reinforces our belief in encouraging learning through tools which promote genuine interactivity — discussions, projects, hands-on activities and technology solutions,” says Nirav Khambhati, CEO of Tata ClassEdge.
BC skills development report
In partnership with Manipal City & Guilds, Trinity College London and the National Skills Development Agency (NSDA), the British Council has published English Skills for Employability — Setting Common Standards, a report which highlights the role of English in the National Skills Quality Framework (NSQF) of NSDA. The report explores the role of English language learning for entry level employability in the healthcare, hospitality and construction industries. The report also examines the facilitating role of the Common European Reference Framework (CEFR) for developing all languages in India, in the context of the NSQF, to improve the quality of language training and facilitate better progression in learning.
The report is authored by Emma-Sue Prince, director of Unimenta and S. Manish Singh, managing director of Progilence Capability Development Pvt. Ltd. It was released at the British Council, New Delhi on June 11.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarah Deverall, director of examinations services for India, British Council said: “The proposed creation of a Common Indian Framework of Reference for languages could enable standards to be set for proficiency in English and Indian languages, which could be used by employers to benchmark language and communication skills and by training providers to design and deliver curricula, as also assessment bodies to develop assessment tools and approaches.”
Cargill supports Agrasar Bachpan
Cargill India Pvt. Ltd — a wholly owned subsidiary of Cargill Inc USA, the world’s largest closely-held corporation (annual revenue: $135 billion or Rs.878,000 crore) — has partnered with Agrasar, a non-profit working in the field of human capital development and social security, to provide structured learning programmes to underprivileged children in the 4-14 age group in Sikandapur Ghosi village, near Gurgaon. Sixty children have been enrolled in the first month (June) at the AgrasarBachpan Learning Centre.
“Offering non-school-going children the opportunity to participate in structured learning programmes will build their confidence and enable their social development,” says Ayan Dutta, managing director, Cargill India.
According to Prerit Rana, co-founder and CEO of Agrasar, teachers will be trained in facilitation skills, group-learning theory, use of innovative teaching-learning materials, and other principles/pedagogies for effective learning.
MBRS’ green school award
The Miles Bronson Residential School (MBRS, estb.1987) ranked Guwahati’s #1 co-ed boarding school by EducationWorld, is the first residential school in eastern India to be awarded the Silver rating certificate of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The environment protection council was promoted by the Delhi-based Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 2001.
“IGBC’s Silver rating reflects the school’s commitment towards building a healthy campus for children and offering them an environment-friendly living experience,” says a council spokesperson.
“We are proud that our efforts to provide a green and safe campus for students have been acknowledged by IGBC. In MBRS, it is the responsibility of every educator to teach students environment-friendly practices, because we believe what students are taught now will determine the future of our planet,” says Dr. N.K. Dutta, founder-principal of the school.
TSS’ triumphant tour
The cricket team of The Scindia School (TSS, estb. 1897), Gwalior, returned on June 9 after completion of a ten-day tour of the UK where it won all its matches against British schools. The 14-member squad was scheduled to play six matches, of which two were called off because of rain.
“Sports education is given as much importance as academics in TSS. The purpose of the England tour was to give our team exposure to playing in radically different conditions. The school team’s 4-0 record of the tour has given a tremendous boost to the confidence of our students while enriching camaraderie and team spirit,” says Dr. Madhav Deo Saraswat, principal of TSS.