Education Community

In a significant gesture aimed at promoting education and rehabilitation, the Marathi Sahitya Sanskruti Kala Mandal (Marathi Literature, Culture, and Arts Council) from Vashi has donated 400 books to the Taloja Central Jail. The initiative, led through the Prof. Manikrao Kirtane Library and the Town Library, seeks to encourage constructive engagement and learning among inmates. Out of the total, 300 books were contributed by the Kirtane Library and 100 by the Town Library. “We had a large collection and wanted it to serve a meaningful purpose,” said Subhash Kulkarni, President of the Kirtane Library. “We had done something similar five years ago and saw the positive impact, so we decided to contribute again.” The donated collection comprises a wide range of Marathi literature, including novels by renowned authors, works on psychology, and a few English titles. The selection was curated to promote self-improvement, literacy, and intellectual growth among the prison population. The books were formally handed over to jail authorities in a ceremony attended by Council Vice President Ravindra Nene, Prof. Ashwini Bachalkar, and Thane District Library Officer Prashant Patil. On the receiving end were Teacher Tagad and Senior Jail Officer Rahul Zhutale. The event was attended by approximately 200 inmates, who expressed interest in the initiative. This donation is part of the Council’s broader commitment to social development through the power of literature and education. It aligns with a growing recognition of the role of reading and self-education in prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration. By making literature accessible to incarcerated individuals, the Marathi Literary Council hopes to foster a more reflective, informed, and hopeful environment behind bars—demonstrating how culture can serve as a powerful tool for change. Source: Economic times

In a powerful address at the YUGM conclave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the transformative role of education in shaping the nation’s future. Highlighting the government’s commitment to preparing youth for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, he said, “The education system plays a key role in preparing the youth for the country’s future.” PM Modi pointed to the introduction of the New Education Policy (NEP) as a pivotal step toward aligning India’s education system with global standards. “After the introduction of the new Education Policy, we are seeing big changes in the national curriculum framework and learning and teaching material,” he stated. A major highlight of his speech was the integration of artificial intelligence in education. Under the “One Nation One Education” initiative, AI-based infrastructure has already been set up and is poised for expansion. Modi asserted that the goal is to “Make AI Work for India,” stressing the importance of future-ready learning environments. He also discussed the establishment of state-of-the-art research and development cells across the country, underlining their contribution to innovation and self-reliance. “We have to work to make India the best in the world in every future technology,” Modi said. The Prime Minister revealed that India’s gross expenditure on research and development has more than doubled—from ₹60,000 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1.25 lakh crore today. He emphasized the importance of rapid innovation cycles, stating, “It is crucial that the journey from idea to prototype to product is completed in the shortest time possible.” Closing his address, Modi said, “The trinity of Talent, Temperament and Technology will transform India’s future. Our university campuses are becoming dynamic centres where Yuvashakti is driving breakthrough innovations.” Source: indiatvnews

The American higher education system is facing an unprecedented collapse, with warnings that the model that has existed since the 1960s may soon be unrecognizable. The combination of budget cuts, cultural conflicts, declining enrolment, and political crackdowns is pushing universities toward the brink. College enrolments peaked in 2010 but have fallen sharply since, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the escalating costs of education. Recent political actions — from suppressing campus protests to the targeting of diversity programs — have compounded the crisis. The situation is so dire that the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia predicts as many as 80 colleges could close permanently by the 2025-26 academic year. Sonoma State University is one of the latest institutions under strain, facing a $24 million budget deficit and proposing the elimination of 22 majors and more than 100 faculty positions. Similarly, West Virginia University, after years of declining enrolment, slashed nearly a fifth of its majors and significantly reduced faculty in 2023. Beyond individual campuses, national trends show a significant decline in male enrolment, further destabilizing the system. Meanwhile, closures and mergers have affected at least 76 colleges since 2016, impacting tens of thousands of students and faculty. International students, a vital revenue source, are also at risk. With the Trump administration resuming hardline policies, including visa revocations and deportations, enrolment from regions like the Middle East, South Asia, and China is expected to drop sharply. The American higher education model stands at a tipping point, facing demographic, political, and financial pressures unlike anything seen in modern history. Source: Al Jazeera