Mizoram
University Bill for select committee
The mizoram assembly has referred its Mahatma Gandhi University Bill introduced by the state higher and technical education minister C. Lalsawta to a select committee of the legislature. On April 4, Lalsawta withdrew the Bill and sought permission of the house to refer it to the select committee for review. The minister was forced to withdraw the Bill as it contained “too many mistakes”.
According to Lalsawta, the Bill paves the way for establishment of a self-financing private higher ed institution — Mahatma Gandhi University — to be sponsored by the Vivekananda Institute of Computer Education Society in the state. He assured the house that the proposed varsity would “safeguard the interests’’ of the local population.
Delhi
CBSE’s new students helpline
The delhi-based Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) — the largest pan-India exam board with 10,000-plus affiliated schools — has launched a helpline for class X and XII students to manage exam stress.
“CBSE has launched a helpline for class X and XII students during May-June, the time of declaration of board results. It will provide psychological counselling to students to deal with examination-related stress,” says a media release of the Union HRD ministry dated April 4. The counselling facility is offered through a toll free number (1800 118 004), accessible from any part of the country.
Moreover, CBSE will also offer legal studies as an elective in classes XI and XII from the academic year 2013-14. The board has written to affiliated schools to submit their expression of interest, a CBSE official said on April 9. The elective will be offered in class XI as a pilot course on first-come-first-serve basis to around 20 schools. “It can be offered as an elective subject with any combination of three other electives and a language,” says the board’s commun-ication.
According to the CBSE spokes-person, the objective of introducing legal studies is to provide exposure to several branches of law such as common, civil, Hindu and Islamic laws, among others, and help students understand rights, duties and various categories of liability principles.
Jammu & kashmir
New education policy imminent
The j&k government is set to introduce a new education policy for the state. “The government is contemplating a new education policy to improve the education scenario in the state on modern lines,” deputy chief minister and minister in-charge of school education Tara Chand, said in reply to a question in the legislative council on April 4. According to him, a committee comp-rising well-known academics of the state will be constituted for the purpose.
While addressing the council, Chand also expressed concern about poor learning outcomes in government sch-ools. “Despite the presence of highly qualified teachers in government schools, academic results are not as we would like them to be. Steps have already been initiated to fix accou-ntability for poor performance,” the minister said, adding that directions have been issued to the chief and zonal education officers to monitor and inspect schools on a regular basis, and convene monthly parent-teacher meetings.
Haryana
Higher education reform call
Addressing the 10th convocation ceremony of the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra, on April 9, President Pranab Mukherjee called for “drastic action” to reform India’s universities and institutions of higher learning. “Our institutes of higher education continue to be challenged by problems of quality. An international survey indicated that there isn’t a single Indian university ranked among the top 200 in the world. This calls for drastic action to reform the way education is imparted in our universities and academic institutes,” he said.
According to Mukherjee, quality, affordability and accessibility should become the prime objectives of the country’s higher education system. “We must take higher and technical education to the doorsteps of our people through innovations in the delivery system.”
Bihar
Education improvement drive
The state government is all set to launch a Rs.1,400-crore teacher training programme with aid from the World Bank. Addressing a public meeting at Samastipur on April 12, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said 70 percent of the cost will be borne by the bank.
Moreover, in a bid to improve the educational environment in the state, Kumar said the government has set a target of 100 percent child enrolment till class XII. Towards this end, 1,000 high school buildings will be constructed in the state’s panchayats during the year. “The bicycle plan for girls has revolutionised female literacy. In comparison with 2007, four times more girls are in school,” said Kumar.
Chhattisgarh
Science centres for tribal youth
The state government has decided to promote two science centres, in the state’s Bastar and Sarguja districts to facilitate access of tribal youth to science education and research. The centres will enable students to better understand science-based concepts through models and other exhibits.
“The Chhattisgarh Regional Science Centre Society in association with the science and technology department, has sent letters to collectors of both the districts, requesting allotment of land to establish science centres there,” said a government official on April 15.
Each centre will be constructed on five acres at an estimated project cost of Rs.4 crore per centre. Chief minister Raman Singh had also announced plans to establish science centres in Ambikapur (Sarguja) and Jagdalpur (Bastar), during the budget session of the legislative assembly.
Paromita Sengupta with bureau reports