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Education Policy

Govt Panel Recommends NTA Focus on Entrance Exams, Restructuring Begins for 2025

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The government panel on exam reforms has recommended that the National Testing Agency (NTA) focus exclusively on conducting entrance examinations, starting from 2025, while discontinuing recruitment exams. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the decision following the release of the panel’s report on Tuesday. The seven-member panel, chaired by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan, was formed in June 2024 after allegations of irregularities, including paper leaks, marred the NEET-UG exam. The delayed counselling process highlighted the need for comprehensive reforms in exam governance. Key recommendations include a major restructuring of the NTA to improve governance, efficiency, and transparency. The panel proposed forming an empowered governing body supported by three sub-committees focused on ethics, test audits, and stakeholder relationships. The report emphasizes transitioning to online exams, introducing multi-level testing for candidate pools exceeding two lakh, and launching a ‘Digi Exam’ system to prevent impersonation. The panel also advocates closer coordination with district-level authorities, akin to the election process, to secure test administration. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan confirmed the government’s intent to implement the recommendations. “From 2025, the NTA will only focus on entrance exams for higher education and step back from recruitment tests,” he stated. The report further calls for bolstering NTA’s leadership, recommending that the Director-General position be held by a senior official of additional secretary rank, free from external pressures. Other proposed reforms include establishing divisions for technology infrastructure, security, research, and international collaboration. The reforms aim to address persistent issues of exam integrity while enhancing transparency and operational efficiency in India’s testing ecosystem. The implementation is already underway, signaling a renewed focus on improving high-stakes entrance examinations across the country. Source: ThePrint Photo Credit: ThePrint

Maharashtra Govt Announces Free Higher Education for EWS, SEBC, OBC Girls in State

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In a significant move ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the Maharashtra government announced on Monday that higher education for girls from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) will be made free. According to officials, this initiative is part of a broader women-focused policy. The decision, which also includes waiving tuition and examination fees for orphaned students regardless of gender, was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The policy change was formalized through a government resolution (GR). Rs 906 Crore Aid for Female Students The decision will be implemented from the academic year 2024-25 and is expected to cost Rs 906 crore. A GR stated that female students seeking admission to recognized vocational courses through the Centralised Admission Process in government colleges, aided private colleges, semi-aided private colleges, non-aided colleges, polytechnic, and autonomous government universities, and open universities can avail the facility. Wide Range of Courses Covered, Specific Eligibility Criteria Outlined These include courses run by departments such as higher and technical education, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, animal husbandry, pisciculture, and dairy development. However, students from private autonomous universities/self-funded universities, and those enrolling through management and institutional quotas will not be eligible for the scheme. The GR said female students whose annual family income is Rs 8 lakh or less and who are from EWS, SEBC, and OBC are eligible for the fee waiver. New admissions as well as students currently pursuing their degrees will also be eligible for the scheme. Opposition Questions Funding for New Schemes In the state budget, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced several initiatives including Mukhyamantri Annapoorna Yojana (aimed at giving three free cylinders to women), Mukhyamantri Yuva Karyaprashikshan Yojana, Mukhyamantri Krishi Pump Yojana, Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (eligible women in the age group 21 to 60 years will get a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500), and a scheme to provide free education to women. The opposition has questioned the source of funding for these schemes and claimed they are aimed to woo women voters ahead of the state assembly polls. However, Chief Minister Shinde has stressed that monetary provisions have been made for the schemes and the initiatives will be permanent.

Chhattisgarh Moves to Offer Primary Education in 18 Local Languages and Dialects

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The Chhattisgarh government has initiated a move to provide primary education in local languages and dialects in remote tribal regions as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This policy recommends that the mother tongue or the local language be the medium of instruction at least up to the fifth standard. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has directed the State Education Department to develop and distribute bilingual books in 18 local languages and dialects for free, focusing on providing high-quality educational resources. “The new initiative of providing education in local language will also be helpful in preserving local culture and traditions,” Sai said while addressing the state-level ‘Shala Praveshotsav’ programme at Bagiya village in the tribal-dominated Jashpur district. The Shala Praveshotsav is an annual event held at the beginning of the new academic session to motivate children to enroll in schools. This year, it was moved from the state capital Raipur to Bagiya, the CM’s hometown. The literacy rate of Chhattisgarh is 70.28%, lower than the national average of 76%. School Education Secretary Siddharth Komal Pardeshi mentioned that courses will be prepared in several languages, including Chhattisgarhi, spoken by 65.83% of Class 1 students; Sargujiha (spoken by 9.38%); Halbi (4.19%); Sadari (3.97%); Gondi-Dantewada (2.33%); and Kudukh (0.7%). An Education Department official stated that in tribal areas, primary school exams can also be taken in local languages and dialects. “But for higher classes, it will still be conducted in Hindi and English,” the official said.  

Dr. T. V. Christy, Vice Chancellor, Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Sc. & Tech. Vallam talked about four pillars of the New Education Policy (NEP)

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“The New Normal is about being student-centric. Education should focus on where graduates go after graduation, anticipating their future needs. ” said  Dr. T. V. Christy Could you tell us more about your group of institutions? I am from The Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology, famously known as PRIST deemed to be University, recognized by the University Grants Commission. It is located in Thanjavur, and we run programs in various disciplines, including engineering, arts and science, agriculture, pharmacy, and law. When we talk about sustainability in education, what special initiatives have been taken by your institution? We have empowered our students by first making them aware of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We conduct various sessions to ensure that our students and faculty members understand the importance and significance of these SDGs. Our management is very particular about integrating these goals into our educational practices. Regarding education policy implementations, what initiatives or developments have you undertaken? The four pillars of the New Education Policy (NEP) can be summarized as AE AQ: Accessibility, Equity, Accountability, and Quality. We ensure that these principles form the basis of our NEP implementation in our campuses. If the first three (Accessibility, Equity, Accountability) are in place, Quality naturally follows. What are the leading roles of your institution in terms of the incubation center and industry engagement? One of our best practices is ensuring that every faculty member is in touch with a minimum of two industries. For example, in a department with 15 faculty members, we have connections with 30 industries. Faculty members develop relationships with industry professionals, bring them to address students, and ultimately establish memorandums of understanding. This approach brings industry-oriented skills meaningfully into our university. What does the term ‘New Normal’ mean to you in the context of education? The New Normal is about being student-centric. Education should focus on where graduates go after graduation, anticipating their future needs. The goal is to foresee the skills and knowledge they will require three to four years after graduating and adapt our educational practices accordingly. This forward-thinking approach is what I consider the New Normal. How do forums like this, which bring together representatives from schools, higher education, skill education, technical education, and tech companies, benefit the society at large? I’m really touched by the name “ARCOM.” It stands for Community, Aspiration, Reimagination, Digitalization, Opportunity, and Readiness. These are exactly what we need in today’s educational scenario. Such forums motivate students and ensure they serve the community. Bringing industry leaders and educational leaders together provides a platform for sharing best practices and learning from each other. It’s an excellent initiative that should continue. Any message for ArdorComm Media Group? Continue your efforts and gather feedback from participants. Learn from any challenges or difficulties faced in conducting this program and strive to improve in future events. Bringing together industry and educational institutions on one platform is a mammoth task, and you are doing an exceptional job. Congratulations! Any final thoughts? Thank you so much for inviting me to this forum. It was a pleasure and honor to participate. Your efforts in connecting different stakeholders in education are commendable. Thank you.

Uma Kannan Founder Principal, Sri Venkateswara Group of Schools, Ambattur expressed how pedagogies and new strategies can upskill and reskill the students

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“The New Normal refers to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and a technologically driven society” said Uma Kannan Could you please highlight some of the initiatives of your institution and give us more light on what your institution is doing? In each and every institution, we take up the growth of the student to bring out the awesome holistic children within the students and through the teachers. The pedagogies, introduction of new strategies to upskill and reskill the students’ energy as well as the faculty’s energy, are crucial. Only then can they produce very good social beings to develop the nation. We are doing a lot of service through seminars and conferences. Would you like to throw some light on the education policy and any initiatives your institution is doing in this regard? Recently, in 2020, the central government adopted a new educational policy and framework. One aspect of that is the 21st-century learning skills, another is the sustainable developmental goals, and the third is design thinking. We incorporate all these with the teachers through some orientation programs to upskill their energy, and then we transform that into the classroom. Any takeaways from today’s forum? Definitely. I learned how to parent the child. Parenting is very necessary with all biological modulations. We need to transparently open up the biological changes to the students. Kudos to Manjula and Chandan for bringing in this transparency. Teachers are the second parents, and we need to instruct the parents to be the first educators, giving all this transparently to the children to bring in a good social being. What does the phrase “New Normal” mean to you? The New Normal refers to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and a technologically driven society. We need to incorporate this into the educational curriculum. However, we should not forget the traditional way of teaching, as it provides an aesthetic approach and emotional well-being for the child and the adult. Any message for ArdorComm Media Group? ArdorComm, you are keeping the summits in very reputed cities like Delhi, which are educational hubs. I want this to extend to all corners of the country, even the villages. Your service should be extended to smaller cities and towns. Thank you. It was a pleasure having you at this forum. Thank you so much. Thank you, Chandan. All the best.

Haryana Revises School Timings Amid Heatwave Alert; Announces Summer Vacation

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In response to a heatwave alert issued for several states, the Haryana government has announced revised school timings. Starting immediately, the first shift in all schools will run from 7 am to 12 pm, while the second shift will commence at 12:45 pm. This change applies to both government and private schools across the state. Additionally, the Haryana government has declared summer vacation for all schools, starting June 1 and lasting until June 30, 2024. This decision, based on a press release, aims to protect students from the extreme heat predicted by the Meteorological Department. According to weather forecasts, Haryana will experience intense heat waves in the coming days, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 46 degrees Celsius. In light of these conditions, weather experts have issued yellow and orange alerts for various districts. The revised school timings are expected to provide some relief to students during this period of extreme heat. By adjusting the hours of operation, the government aims to reduce the exposure of children to the harshest parts of the day. Similar measures are being taken in neighboring regions. All government schools in Delhi were closed on May 11, while summer vacations in private schools are expected to start in May. In Uttar Pradesh, summer vacations are set to begin by May 25, 2024, across most schools. Additionally, schools in areas where Lok Sabha voting will take place will also be closed to facilitate the electoral process. These steps reflect a broader effort to ensure the safety and well-being of students amid extreme weather conditions. As temperatures continue to rise, the proactive measures taken by the Haryana government and other states aim to mitigate the risks associated with the heatwave.    

Tamil Nadu Government Set to Release Draft of State Education Policy After Model Code of Conduct is Lifted

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The Tamil Nadu government is poised to release the draft of the State Education Policy after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is lifted, according to sources. The MCC is expected to be lifted after the announcement of Lok Sabha election results on June 4. In 2021, the Tamil Nadu government announced its intention to introduce an exclusive State Education Policy during the Assembly session. A panel, headed by retired High Court judge Justice D Murugesan, was constituted in May 2022 to oversee this initiative, comprising educationists and experts from various fields. Sources within the Tamil Nadu Education Department revealed that the draft of the State Education Policy was already prepared in November 2023. However, the process faced delays due to unforeseen circumstances, including the resignation of the state minister for higher education, K Ponmudi, following a conviction in a legal case. Although the minister was reinstated following a favorable court order, the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of Lok Sabha polls halted the release of the draft. Officials from the school education department indicated that after the release of the draft policy, the final document would take over three months to be finalized and implemented. Dr. Mohammed Rashid, a retired professor from Madras University, emphasized the urgency of releasing the State Education Policy, particularly after the announcement of the National Education Policy. Educational institutions’ management has been anticipating the new policy for some time, he noted, underlining the importance of expediting its release to address evolving educational needs effectively.  

Tamil Nadu School Education Department Warns Against Summer Special Classes Due to Heat Wave

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The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has issued a stern warning to schools, cautioning them against conducting special classes during the summer vacation period. This directive comes in response to the prevailing intense heat wave conditions across the state, exacerbated by the onset of the peak summer period known as Agni Nakshatram, expected to extend until May 28. In an official statement, the School Education Department underscored the importance of exercising caution amidst the scorching heat, advising against the organization of special classes during this period. Schools are explicitly prohibited from conducting such sessions, with the department asserting its intent to take strict action against any violations of this directive. Moreover, the department has instructed district education officers to conduct thorough investigations to ensure compliance with the order, signaling a proactive approach towards enforcement. Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi reiterated the department’s stance, emphasizing that stringent measures would be implemented against any school found to be in breach of the prohibition on conducting special classes during the summer vacation. This proactive measure aims to safeguard the well-being of students and educators alike, recognizing the adverse effects of prolonged exposure to extreme heat conditions. By discouraging special classes during this period, the department prioritizes the health and safety of the educational community, aligning with its commitment to promoting a conducive learning environment while addressing environmental challenges.  

Dr. V. V. Ravi Kumar, Deputy Director- Academics, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune, Expresses his views on correlation of AI and NEP

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“The correlation between AI and the New Education Policy is a key focus at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management,” said Dr. V. V. Ravi Kumar, Deputy Director- Academics, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune in an interview at “ArdorComm New Normal- Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023” held in Pune, Maharashtra on 24th November 2023. How is Symbiosis Institute of Business Management implementing the New Education Policy? At Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) is a progressive endeavour. The first step involves the establishment of the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC), where all students are registered. This innovative approach allows students in business management, for example, to pursue courses outside their core discipline, such as music, with the assurance of receiving credits for their efforts. The institute is actively exploring interdisciplinary avenues to ensure that students do not feel restricted, fostering a more holistic and flexible learning environment. How do you see AI and New Education Policy correlating and making the upcoming workforce market-ready? The correlation between AI and the New Education Policy is a key focus at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management. Through the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC), students can seamlessly integrate AI courses into their MBA curriculum, facilitating the transfer of credits. Regarding workforce readiness, the institute acknowledges that a significant portion of its postgraduate students already comes with industry experience, solving a part of the readiness challenge. However, the emphasis remains on providing these students with a finishing touch and an extra edge, aiming not just for industry readiness but for producing industry leaders. What’s your takeaway from today’s event? A: Today’s event presented a compelling blend of technology companies and education leaders, fostering synergy between these two critical sectors. Engaging in conversations with technology leaders revealed numerous opportunities for education institutions to adopt new approaches and technologies. The event’s innovative format created a space for dialogue that could potentially lead to impactful collaborations and advancements in the field of education. ArdorComm media is celebrating its second anniversary; any message you wish to share? Congratulations to ArdorComm Media on its second anniversary! As evident from your rapid expansion and notable achievements, it’s clear that you are making significant strides. I encourage you to explore additional formats, such as closed round tables, to engage industry and education leaders further. This approach can deepen your impact and contribute to meaningful discussions within the sector. Best wishes for continued success and growth in the years to come.

Maharashtra Announces Ambitious Plan for 1,499 New Colleges in 2023

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Around 1,499 new colleges are set to be established in Maharashtra this year, as revealed by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The decision was announced during a gathering of the Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and Development (MAHED), presided over by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, held at Sahyadri Guest House. Fadnavis shared that the meeting centered around a five-year strategy (2024-2029) that was discussed and sanctioned to determine the specific locations for these proposed colleges. Fadnavis took to Twitter and mentioned that during this meeting, a comprehensive five-year plan for 2024 to 2029 was endorsed to identify suitable locations for initiating colleges and institutions. As per this blueprint, this year will witness the establishment of colleges in 1499 different sites across the state. 🕜1.45pm | 30-8-2023 📍 Mumbai | दु. १.४५ वा. | ३०-८-२०२३ 📍मुंबई. 🔸 Meeting with Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and Development (MAHED) 🔸 महाराष्ट्र राज्य उच्च शिक्षण व विकास आयोग (माहेड) समवेत बैठक@mieknathshinde #mumbai #maharashtra pic.twitter.com/3vIJKX8SbI — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 30, 2023 Additionally, discussions during the meeting also witnessed experts expressing contentment with the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020.