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Central Government Launches ‘Incentives To Girls For Secondary Education’ Scheme

A new scheme to promote girl education of weaker section of society has been launched by the Central Government. The scheme namely ‘Incentives To Girls For Secondary Education’ has been introduced for girls belonging to the Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes.

Under this scheme, a sum of Rs. 3,000 will be deposited in the name of every SC/ST girl taking admission in class IX. The girl will be able to withdraw the same amount, provided she has attained 18 years of age and passed 10th grade as a regular student. The main objective of this scheme is to reduce the drop out rate of girls belonging to SC/ST category. To avail the benefit of this scheme, the maximum age while enrolling in class IX should be 16 years on 31st March of the admission year.

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Admissions and Child Distress

The race to colleges and universities has become fierce and students are facing tough times after qualifying their examinations. A comparison of the students pursuing higher education post liberation period shows that there has been an increase of over 25 times. The anxiety about making it to the best colleges and universities has adversely affected the behaviour of the students.

According to one report published in a major daily, the students in one of the popular metropolitan cities, Mumbai, are facing very hard situations as they fail to get enrolled in the junior colleges. Even students who have secured over 80 per cent do not stand a chance. It has been reported that a large number of students are now seeking the psychiatric help to get over the distress and anxiety.

The government has shown some interest and is working on a permanent solution. But that seems to take some time. The dearth of colleges and institutes can be one of the main reasons for the crisis. With enough junior colleges, students can at least join in one of them and not waste their time hoping endlessly.

The margin that determines as to who would be the lucky one, is very small and insignificant. Often it happens that some friends in any batch get through, leaving others desperate and frustrated.

Can establishment of large number of Colleges be of any help?

Most of the students and experts believe that it sure will make a difference, as students will get more avenues and places to join. However, some students disagree and are of the opinion that the real race is for the best colleges & best career options. They believe that the volume of the colleges offering professional courses and training be increased.

Students’ admission even after securing good marks is a great concern. Every individual must come forward and contribute to find a lasting solution.

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AICTE Sends Reminder Regarding Excessive Intake Of Students

After approving the increase in student intake in the engineering colleges of Gujarat state, the AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) has sent a notice of excessive intake by the colleges. AICTE had earlier approved to increase the student count by 455 seats. The state colleges went ahead and increased the intake by 1,025 seats, an extra of 570 seats against the orders.

The council has not yet decided as what will happen to the candidates that have been admitted, in addition to the 455 seats, as was approved. The state colleges argue that they admitted the students only on reasons that the council will approve the request and put the number as 1,025.

AICTE, however, has stressed that the teacher-student ratio was high and under those circumstances the seats cannot be extended, more than what has been agreed and approved by the board. The board has said that there is a dearth of instructors and professors in the state and more students would bear the impact on the education and training.

The state directorate will pledge their case and everything has to be set right before the next academic session begins. In case of lapse, it would be very difficult for the students to obtain admissions in the same colleges. The state directorate has assured that the students won’t suffer unnecessarily.

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Modern Teaching Aids: More Homework For Teachers

Students, especially small children almost loathe about the daily homework assigned to them. The young minds sometimes envy their own teachers as they come in the classroom, teach and leave – no homework, no tests and no assessments. That may be true but not in the coming era where teachers themselves have to prepare a lot before coming to the classroom.

The textbook and dictation age is a thing of the past. Modern teaching aids like audio and video presentations demand more preparations from the teacher. Many schools have recently added such aids and techniques in the curriculum to provide to the students an all-inclusive learning package and environment.

Image Credit: Misterteacher

In certain subjects like History and Sciences, there are many things that cannot be completely described on the blackboard or by oral recitation. One popular example is the development stages of living cells, functioning or various organs, organ systems, etc. Even though the teacher may carry a chart or draw a neat diagram on the board, but effective learning still misses out. A video presentation or short film gives the student a better learning experience as they can watch the actual phenomena and processes.

Teaching lessons are increasingly being provided on compact discs and digital video discs and the content on the same is either viewed in the class or by the student at home. The teacher has to be sure to identify the main points or emphasize on these points so that children can assimilate the knowledge.

Three cheers to our teachers who are supposed to do a little viewing of the content at home and come prepared in the morning!

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UP to get 250 New ITIs Soon

Uttar Pradesh State Government has announced plans to build 250 new Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) covering 638 backward blocks of Uttar Pradesh . This World Bank aided project will open new opportunities for aspiring youth of UP. Government has sanctioned about Rs. 2.5 crore for the project.

The state government has also decided to upgrade the infrastructure of existing 125 ITIs. The upgradation work will be done by private companies.

The increase in the number of ITIs in the upcoming years will help state government churn out more skilled and semi-skilled technicians for the industrial sector.

In India, central government has always stressed on vocational training and better provisions for education that imparts the required skills and training. Industrial training institutes that are established in the country have been training thousands of students every year, who are not enrolled in formal schools or institutes. The quality of education and facilities have to be improved and the true potential of vocational training is yet to be tapered.

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Accreditation Body For The Schools In India

So far the primary and secondary education institutes in India have strived to stay put to their own standards. Private schools and government-aided schools have set forth their own standards regarding school governance and therefore have remained away from a universal accreditation system. However, the foremost accreditation agency of India, Quality Council of India, has started approaching the schools to get accredited.

The board, called National Accreditation Board of Education and Training, has developed the procedures for schools that seek the accreditation. Schools have to apply for the accreditation process, which is followed by the inspections and assessment by a team of professionals from the agency.

Schools are supposed to be fully prepared for the inspections as the inspection team checks even minute details. In case the school or governance is found as non-standard the school is given suggestions to act upon. If the school succeeds in plugging the loopholes and provides the best practices, the school is awarded the accreditation.

Is School Accreditation Necessary?

School accreditation is not obligatory. But by getting accredited the schools can enhance and improve the quality governance and management in the school. The accreditation provides uniform standards and also helps in identifying well managed and provided schools in India. The system is based on similar pattern as those in US, Netherlands and Australia.

The agency has a checklist and awards score to the respective schools. Some important parameters in the checklist include:

Education Quality Management
Governance and Management
Resource Management
Education Service Realization

The school accreditation, once it is awarded is applicable for four years and after that renewal is sought by the agency.

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Government of India Reveals Its Programme To Universalize Secondary Education

In a move to universalize secondary education, government of India has initiated a programme along the lines of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.

The new programme that goes by the name Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan will work to make secondary education available, accessible and affordable to the students in the age group 15 and 16 years.

The Union HRD minister, Bandhu Tirkey has called upon CBSE, ICSE, Navodayas and government aided schools to send their details by July 20. As per the order, the head of the institutions i.e., Principals will have to send details including the foundation of the school, teaching capacity, school infrastructure, students’ performance, staff members, administrative officers, furniture and results.

Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan is said to focus on imparting equality among the students throughout the country. Some comprehensive arrangements have been made under 11th five-year plan. The objectives of the detailed programme have been estimated to be completed by 2020.

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IT Enters School Education In Himachal Pradesh, Everonn Systems Approaches HP Government

Information Technology (IT) has had a great time in India and to carry forward the boom, which at present seems to have lost its momentum, the IT companies are exploring new avenues.

Everonn Systems India Limited is an IT company, specialized in Knowledge Management, Education and Training. The company provides IT training and facilitation at different institutes. The latest update is that Everonn Systems has approached the Himachal Pradesh state government, to implement IT education in the senior schools.

Image Credit: Extra Ketchup

The IT companies may start this trend of providing quality IT education in the senior schools. The scope for IT companies looks promising as the education sector is a massive one and can support a lot of such initiatives.

Also, implementing the procedures and building up the infrastructure can help the students to be better prepared for a promising career.

India is one country where skilled labour, especially in the IT sector, is globally recognized as topnotch and competitive. The English speaking IT professionals in India are preferred in the South Asia. Considering such an asset, the students that are soon going to start their professional lives.

IT companies can further help their own growth and sustenance by investing in this sector. School education is a cyclic process and its span is ever continuing By striking a good balance with the school institutions, the companies can do much better and for a long time.

The premier education and training institutes (IT) in the country do afford and in fact do hire these companies. The challenge however is to take them to the secondary education level.