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There is a raging battle of sorts in the education fraternity. The two most reputed boards viz Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Council of Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) are at loggerheads regarding the grading system introduced by the Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal. The nine-point grading system has come under flak from the CISCE chairperson, Neil O’Brien who has openly condemned the new system saying that their board is in no mood to follow the directive and awarding grades instead of marks.

The basic logic put forth is the unacceptance of the colleges to give recognition to the grading system after Class XII. AS after Class X, the schools will again have to rivet back to the marks system due to the universities not giving grades any recognition, so there lies no point in adopting the grading system in Class X in the first place. The confusion over awarding grades instead of marks is also supported by the principals of ICSE schools in the NCR region.

The stress being laid by the CISCE Board is on the uniformity of pattern to be adopted by all schools, colleges and universities alike. Today, approximately 1,600 schools are affiliated with CISCE while the majority lies with the CBSE with more than 9,000 schools under its affiliation. And the CBSE has planned to go ahead with the HRD’s directive. In view of the prevalent scenario of chaos among the various boards itself on the directives issued, the students are in affix as of now and only the future holds the key to the way forward!!

All you need to know about the ‘Swine Flu’

Dear Parents,

It’s that time of the year when most of the children tend to catch common Flu. However, in the current scenario there may be slight chances that it may be the ‘Swine Flu’ that the child may be suffering from.  At SHEMFORD, we would like to answer some of the commonly asked questions, so that you are aware of the precautions and there is no unnecessary panic.

FAQs

How does it spread?

The new ‘Swine Flu’ virus is highly contagious i.e. it spreads from person to person. Children especially under the age of five are more likely to catch this flu (or any other infection) as their immune systems are still maturing. The virus is spread through the droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when someone coughs or sneezes and do not cover their face. If someone is very nearby he/she might breathe them in; or if someone coughs or sneezes into their hand, those droplets and the virus within them are easily transferred to surfaces that the person touches, such as door handles, hand rails, telephones and keyboards. If someone touches these surfaces and touches his/her face, the virus can enter his/her system and he/she can become infected.

What precautions should we take with children to avoid ‘Swine Flu’?

• Washing hands with soap and water can reduce the chance of infection by 30 per cent. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water are not available.
• Clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a normal cleaning product.
• Teach them not to touch their face and mouth, as germs on their hand may find their way into their body.
• If they have a cough or a cold, make sure they use a tissue when they cough or sneeze and then throw it away. Ensure they wash their hands after this also.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick, especially with flu-like symptoms.
• If one child has flu like symptoms, while another does not, try to keep them isolated from each other. Do this gently in a way that is fair to both children so that the one with the flu like symptoms does not feel that they are at fault.
• Try to avoid areas that are too crowded where people are breathing very close to your child for e.g. crowded markets, fares, packed temples etc.
• If someone has returned from abroad, go see them or have them visit you after they have spent a week or so in India. This will give time for them to manifest any flu symptoms.

What are the Common Symptoms to identify ‘Swine Flu’?

Symptoms of swine flu are like any other flu. Call your child’s paediatrician immediately if your child has any of the following symptoms and a temperature of 100° F or above or feels hot:

• Tiredness
• Headache
• Runny nose and sneezing
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Aching muscles, limb and joint pain.

Nearly everyone with swine flu has at least two of these symptoms.

What should I do if I see these symptoms in my child?

Don’t panic. You cannot confirm if your child has swine flu just based on these symptoms. As soon as you see the symptoms above, call your child’s paediatrician and inform them that your child’s flu like symptoms before you drop into their clinic. They may want to take precautions to ensure that you do not spread it to other people there. Doctors may offer a rapid flu test, but only Government lab tests can definitively show whether one has got ‘Swine Flu’ or not. While going in for tests in ‘Government Labs’, kindly make sure that yours as well as your child’s face is covered and that he/she does not touch any surfaces there. Thereafter, make sure to wash yours as well as your child’s hands after the visit.

Please do not send your child to SHEMFORD, for at-least 7 to 10 days, if he/she has flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, running nose or difficulty in breathing. It may be the common Flu but it is not worth taking chances as even that is highly contagious. In case it is a Swine Flu, it can be treated with antiviral medications if given in time; so getting your child treated immediately can save your child’s life.

Finally, remember there is no need to panic; we at SHEMFORD are being extra cautious in taking the necessary actions required to stop this flu from spreading further.

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The Educational Research & Training Centre of Shemford Schools

RBI proposes for a new subject on financial management in schools.

Financial management will soon be taught in schools. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recommended the HRD ministry to ask the school boards to commence a subject on financial management in the school curriculum which will further increase students’ understanding about the field. But the final decision is yet to be taken by the HRD ministry.

The financial management subject will cover all the aspects of finance/money as well as provide fundamental ideas on the same so that students can develop interest in the subject and pursue higher studies in future. RBI had sent the proposal to MHRD through Finance Ministry.

The HRD Ministry has also discussed about the proposal with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) that publishes textbooks and prepares broad curriculum for school students. But NCERT did not like the idea. It said that schools already have subjects like commerce and economics that covers various aspects of financial management. There is no special need to start a new and separate subject for the students.

So let’s wait and watch for the final decision…..

For better management of the widely spread and vast academic coverage of these educational bodies, it is not being considered by the Maharashtra government to split the Pune and Mumbai universities. This is being undertaken in wake of the suggestions given by the National Knowledge Commission or the NKC.

This is a big step which is being thought of in order to improve the levels of teaching and research in the universities and to facilitate better management. Bifurcation or even trifurcation of these universities may take place since the decision has not been taken yet. Only in five districts, the Mumbai University has hundreds of colleges which make it very difficult to administer and control. Similar is the case with the Pune University which has under it three districts and numerous colleges. These proposals however are yet to be approved by the central government. Such decisions could really work to improve the standards of universities and therefore are being considered.

The NKC or the National Knowledge Commission was formed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The main purpose of formation of the NKC was de-linking the undergraduate colleges and establishing their own administrations rather than their being dependent on the universities. This was done to make it possible for universities to focus on researching and also on teaching in a better way.

The Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University (MPBOU), Bhopal was established in the year 1991. It was registered under the Act of State Assembly and works on the mission of dissemination of knowledge through distance learning channels. Various age groups and interests are targeted to provide quality education to the masses. MPBOU, as it is commonly called, is the second largest university for open learning in India since it has an enrolment of over 1.5lac students. Branches for better interaction with students have been established all over the country. The contact details are as follows:

MPBOU Headquarters

Kolar Rroad (Raja Bhoj Marg),

Damkheda, Chunabhatti,

Bhopal-462016

Ph. No. 0755-2492090/91

Fax: 0755-2424640

MPBOU Bhopal Branch Office:

Devi Ahilya University Campus,

Khandwa Road.

Indore-452001

Ph. 0731-2465689

Fax: 731-2465689

MPBOU Jabalpur Branch office

Old B.T.I. Bulding,

P.S.M. Campus,

Jabalpur-482011

Ph. No. 0761-2628113

Fax: 0761-2628330

MPBOU Gwalior Branch Office

Jiwaji University Campus

Gwalior-474011

Ph. No.: 0751-2345559, 0751-2442844

Fax: 0751-2345559

MPBOU Rewa Branch Office

Old TRS College Campus,

Civil Lines,

Rewa-486001

Ph. No. 07662-250410

Fax: 07662-250410

MPBOU Satna Branch Office

Old Collectrate Campus

Civil Lines

Satna-485001

Ph. No: 07672-400541

Fax: 07672-400640

MPBOU Sagar Branch Office

Dr. H.S. Gour University Campus

Sagar (M.P.)

Ph. No: 07582-265572, 264130

Fax: 07582-264130

MPBOU Chindwara Branch Office

Govt PG College,

Chindwara-480001

Ph. No.: 07162-243257

Fax: 07162-238715

MPBOU Ujjain Branch Office

School of studies in Continuing Education,
Old Administrative Building,

Vikram University Campus,

Ujjain-456010
Ph. No.0734-2514273 0734-2556968

Fax: 0734-2514276

MPBOU Bilaspur Branch Office

Pt. Motilal Nehru Hostel Campus,

Jerabhatta,

Bilaspur-495001

Ph. No.07752-231056, 07752-271135

Fax: 07752-231056

MPBOU Raipur Branch Office

Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University Campus

Raipur-492010

Ph. No.0771-2262695

Fax: 0771-2262695

MPBOU Durg Branch Office

Govt. Arts and Science College Campus,

Durg-491001

Ph. No. 0788-2334705

Fax: 0788-2334705

MPBOU Jagadalpur Branch Office

Govt. PG College

Jagadalpur

Ph: 07782-229155

Fax: 07782-229046

For further reference, log on to www.bhojvirtualuniversity.com

The National Institute of Open Schooling or NIOS was originally called as the National Open School. It was established in the year November1989 and the main aim of establishment was the pursuance of the National Policy of Education of 1986. The main headquarters of the NIOS are located in Noida in Uttar Pradesh. The complete address of the headquarters and also the branch addresses are given below:

NIOS Headquarters:

National Institute of Open Schooling

A-24/25, Institutional Area,

Sector – 62, NOIDA

Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh – 201 309

Telephone No. 95120 – 2402890, 18001809393

NIOS Regional Offices:

• NIOS Delhi office

A 31, Institutional Area, Sector – 62, NOIDA Distt – Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
Ph (O): 0120-2404914/2404915 Fax: 0120-2404916
E-mail: rcdelhi@nos.org

( for areas in East Delhi, North Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, Jhajjar, Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad)

• NIOS Delhi Office-II

A 31, Institutional Area, Sector – 62, NOIDA Distt – Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
Ph (O): 0120-2404914/2404915 Fax: 0120-2404916
E-mail: rcdelhi@nos.org

( for South Delhi, West Delhi, South West Delhi, Central Delhi, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad)

· NIOS Hyderabad office
House No. 17-26, Sree Nagar Colony, Road No. 5, Dilsukh Nagar, Hyderabad (AP)
Ph.: (O) 040-24162859, Fax : 091-040-24060712
E-mail : rchyderabad@nos.org

(for areas Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka)

· NIOS Guwahati Office
15 Nilomoni Bhawan, 1st Floor, Nilomani Pukhan Road, Christian Basti, Guwahati-781008 (Assam)
Ph.: (O) 0361-2340497, 2343964, 2343588 Fax : 0361-2343585
E-mail: rcguwahati@nos.org

(for areas Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura)

· NIOS Pune Office

C/o. Indian Institute of Education, 128/2, J.P. Naik Road, Kothrud, Pune-411029 (Maharashtra)
Ph.: (O) 020-25444667, 25439763
E-mail:rcpune@nos.org

(for areas Maharashtra, Goa Daman & Diu)

· NIOS Chandigarh Office
YMCA Complex,Sector-11C, Chandigarh – 160011,
Ph.: (O) 0172-2744915, 3950979, Fax : 0172-2744952
E-mail:rcchandigarh@nos.org

{For areas Haryana (excluding Faridabad, Gurgaon & Jhajjar), Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh}

· NIOS Kolkata Office
10/1/H, Diamond Harbour Road, Kolkata -700027 (WB)
Ph.: (O) 033-24797714, Fax.: 033-24797707
E-mail:rckolkata@nos.org

(For areas Sikkim, West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Subcentre Bhubaneswar)

Bhubaneswar – Sub Centre,
Part of Kolkata Region for Financial and other related matters 360/10 Shishu Vihar, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Orissa

Ph: 0674-2740208

(For Orissa)

· NIOS Patna Office
Lalit Bhawan, Ground Floor, Patna -800001 (Bihar)
Ph.: (O) 0612-2545051, Fax: 0612-2545470
E-mail:rcpatna@nos.org

(for Bihar & Jharkhand)

· NIOS Kochi Office
34/2470 C, 2nd floor, Mamangalam, Palarivattom PO, Kochi- 682025, Kerala
Ph.: (O) 0484-2335714, Fax: 0484-2335533
E-mail:rckochi@nos.org

(for Tamilnadu, Kerala and Pondicherry)

• NIOS Jaipur Office
  D-11,12, Roop Vihar colony, Mohan Marg, Opp. Karali Garden, New Sangner Road, Sodala, Jaipur, Rajasthan – 302006
  Ph.: (O) 0141 – 2723029, 2720601
  E-mail:rcjaipur@nos.org

(for Rajasthan and Gujarat)

• NIOS Bhopal Office
  Manas Bhavan, Shymla Hills, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
  Ph : 2660331,2661842
  E-mail:rcbhopal@nos.org

(for Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh)

· NIOS Allahabad Office
19/17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg,Allahabad – 211002
Ph : (O) 0532-2548149, Fax : 0532-2548154
E-mail:rcallahabad@nos.org

(for UttarPradesh & sub Centre Dehradun)

· NIOS Dehradun Office

69/106, Niranjanpur, Opp. I.T.I, Dehradun – 248001
Ph: 0135-2629166, 2623929

E-mail:rcdehradun@nos.org

(for Uttrakhand, Meerut, Bagpat, Saharanpur, Muzzafarnagar, Moradabad & JP Nagar (Amroha), distt. of UP)

Reference: www.nos.org

In a very major event of carelessness by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), thousands of students of Delhi were not able to appear for their class 12^th exam on April 6^th. The reason for this is that the students did not receive their IDs for the exam and therefore this day saw thousands of students queuing outside the office of NIOS to collect their duplicate ID cards.

As a last resort for the situation, students queued up in last few days before the exam and even had to shell out Rs.50 for the duplicate IDs. It seems that the IDs were dispatched but were somehow lost or misplaced. Many students even resigned in the situation since even if they received their duplicate on the day of the exam, reaching the exam centre before 2:30 PM seemed impossible.

Officials of the NIOS however say that the IDs were dispatched but might not have reached due to wrong addresses being provided. Around 3500-4000 students faced this problem and lined outside the office. Officials claim to have contacted the students personally to inform them that the requirement of IDs had been removed from this exam and they could appear for it. Students however have another story to tell.

Along with this event, there also has been cancellation of numerous admissions this year due to non-payment of fees. According to officials of the NIOS, it might be due to the partial computerisation of the records and functioning of the NIOS. Data might have been lost during this process which involves around 1.30 lakh students from Delhi. Admissions however will be restored when the students bring proof of payment of fees which was done through drafts. Also, officials assure that necessary steps will be taken about the Monday confusion after all the details are received.

Mess outside NIOS office with students waiting to collect duplicate IDs

Startling information has been collected by the National University for Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. This information shows that around 84% primary schools do not have a headmaster or head teachers. This makes about 949 schools out of the 1121 primary schools present in the state which are government schools or aided institutions.

Varying opinions are coming in from different administrational levels in the education department of Goa. The importance of a headmaster or head teacher is being stressed upon to maintain discipline by the former block resource person at SSA Bardez, Narendra Kamat. This however is being refuted by the project director of SSA, P R Nadkarni who says that a headmaster is not necessary for proper functioning of the school. Further, Mr. Nadkarni threw light on the fact that around 70% of primary schools never had a headmaster. The management of these schools is undertaken by higher schools which thereby cut down the need of a head teacher for management.

On this, Mr. Kamat asserted that it is the government schools which are suffering since the government does not provide any head teachers if the student enrolment is below 24 students. This causes multi-tasking in teachers and they have to take up administrative tasks in addition to their teaching. The work of a peon, administrator, teacher, manager and every other function required to be performed has to be done by the teacher itself which causes major disruption in the teaching at school.