What is the news? Kerala Governor has written a letter to the Kerala Chief Minister expressing his desire to step down as Chancellor, alleging political interference in the universities. What is the role of Governor in State Universities? The governor of the state is the ex-officio chancellor of the universities in that state. As the… Continue reading Kerala row and beyond: Governor’s role in state, central universities
Tag: education
NITI Aayog and Bharti Foundation announce the launch of ‘Convoke 2021-22’
What is the news? NITI Aayog in partnership with Bharti Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises, has launched Convoke 2021-22. What is Convoke? CONVOKE is a National Research Symposium for Teachers and Heads of Schools. Aim: To address challenges in imparting education and strengthening its quality with special focus on all teachers, educationists, heads… Continue reading NITI Aayog and Bharti Foundation announce the launch of ‘Convoke 2021-22’
Parliament passes National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021
What is the news? Parliament has passed the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021. About National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021 The Bill seeks to amend the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Act, 1998. Aim: To accord the status of ‘institute of national importance’ to… Continue reading Parliament passes National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Make the mental well beings of teacher a priority
News: Pandemic has impacted the lives of all in one way or another. Teachers are also not an exception in this. What are the issues faced by the teachers due to the pandemic? Security: Teachers who teach in low-fee private schools often have low salaries, poor working conditions and no systemic protection. Read more: The decline… Continue reading Make the mental well beings of teacher a priority
Challenges in NIRF: Recast this apples-and-oranges ranking method
News: Ranking of state-run Higher Education Institutes (HEI) with centrally funded institutes (CFI) like IIT’s under the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) is not a good step. What is National Institution Ranking Framework? Read here: National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Why it is not a good step to rank both state-run HEI and CFI altogether? Allocation of… Continue reading Challenges in NIRF: Recast this apples-and-oranges ranking method
Our National Education policy could yet rescue school students
News: On the recommendations of the Kothari Commission, the first National Education Policy was released in 1968. The government has again introduced the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to transform the basic architecture culture and approach of Indian education. Also read: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Implementation Plan for School Education How can the National Education… Continue reading Our National Education policy could yet rescue school students
Common entrance test for central varsities: plan, criticism
What is the News? University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to central universities to take appropriate measures for conducting the Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET) for admission in undergraduate and postgraduate courses from the 2022-23 academic session. What is the Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET)? CUCET was launched in the year 2010 to… Continue reading Common entrance test for central varsities: plan, criticism
Remote education was inaccessible to most children, says survey
What is the News? According to a survey conducted by ICRIER and LIRNEAsia, a think tank focusing on digital policy, remote education was inaccessible to most children in India. What is remote learning? Remote learning is where the student and the educator, or information source, are not physically present in a traditional classroom environment. Information… Continue reading Remote education was inaccessible to most children, says survey
National Achievement Survey 2021 has been conducted successfully across the country, with enthusiastic participation of schools and students
What is the News? National Achievement Survey 2021 has been conducted successfully across the country. As per initial, nearly 96 percent of schools and 92 percent of the targeted sampled children participated in the survey. What is the National Achievement Survey? National Achievement Survey(NAS) is a nationally representative large-scale survey of students’ learning undertaken by… Continue reading National Achievement Survey 2021 has been conducted successfully across the country, with enthusiastic participation of schools and students
School students to prepare projects on lives of gallantry award winners under ‘Veer Gatha’ initiative
What is the News? The Government of India has launched the Veer Gatha Initiative. What is the Veer Gatha Initiative? Under the initiative, school students across the country will prepare projects in the form of poems, paintings, essays or multimedia presentations on the lives of gallantry award winners. Aim of the Project The aim of… Continue reading School students to prepare projects on lives of gallantry award winners under ‘Veer Gatha’ initiative
The decline of the Budget school
Synopsis: The private budget school ecosystem is collapsing, which is a threat to millions of children who rely on it. Introduction The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is visible in almost all the sectors, and the schools are no exception to it. Today, most private budget schools are facing the problem of financial crunch and… Continue reading The decline of the Budget school
Education is a powerful enabler of climate-change containment
Synopsis: At this critical juncture in the history of humanity, we must now re-imagine education as a tool that can play a transformative role in mitigating climate change. Education can become an active agent in catalysing climate mitigation and adaptation in line with the global agreements. Introduction In the lead up to CoP-26, more countries… Continue reading Education is a powerful enabler of climate-change containment
NEET hasn’t created the equality of opportunity it had promised
Synopsis: The recent move of the Tamil Nadu government to bypass the NEET exam requires careful analysis of the issues surrounding the NEET. Introduction The government of India cleared the way for making NEET a common entrance examination for all medical colleges across India. This was opposed by many states including Tamil Nadu. What steps… Continue reading NEET hasn’t created the equality of opportunity it had promised
Doctor cure thyself: On revising queerphobic medical textbooks
Synopsis: The social issues in India are not just societal problems, but also ingrained deepens our educational system. Introduction Recently National Medical Commission has issued an advisory to all medical universities and colleges. It asked them to bring changes in the teaching methods and opt methods that are not derogatory to the LGBTQIA+ community. What… Continue reading Doctor cure thyself: On revising queerphobic medical textbooks
Education Ministry report: At least 40% school children in 7 large states lack access to digital devices
What is the news? The report, “Initiatives by the School Education Sector in 2020-21“, released by the Union Ministry of Education talks about the response to challenges thrown up by the Covid-19 pandemic. What are the key findings of the report? The report shows that 40% to 70% of school-going children in seven large states do not have access to digital… Continue reading Education Ministry report: At least 40% school children in 7 large states lack access to digital devices
The pandemic is a reminder of education being a public good
Synopsis: Indian school education system faces various challenges like large vacancies of teachers, vulnerable private schools, etc. The government must act to improve the public school education system. Introduction The recent UNESCO report State of the Education Report (SOER) for India: “No Teachers, No Class”, highlighted various challenges associated with school education in India. Click… Continue reading The pandemic is a reminder of education being a public good
India’s school system faces acute shortage of teachers, says UNESCO report
What is the news? United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recently released its 2021 State of the Education Report (SOER) for India: “No Teachers, No Class”. About the State of the Education Report (SOER) for India It is an annual flagship report of UNESCO New Delhi. So far, two editions have been… Continue reading India’s school system faces acute shortage of teachers, says UNESCO report
NIRF ranking does not give full picture of higher education in India
Synopsis: Recently released NIRF ranking showcased its limitation in comparison to other global rankings. Introduction Ministry of Education has released National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2021. Various lacunas are visible in the structuring of this ranking, which makes the ranking impactless. Read more: Fund and Faculty count in higher education rankings What are the different… Continue reading NIRF ranking does not give full picture of higher education in India
NEET fails the multidimensional construct of merit
Synopsis: The policy of a single test needs to be reviewed to attain the lofty goals of the New Education Policy. Introduction Recently, The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a Bill to dispense with the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET). This bill is passed based on the recommendation of the high-level committee led by… Continue reading NEET fails the multidimensional construct of merit
Measuring Regional Diversity – Regarding NIRF
Synopsis: The National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) calculation of regional diversity in education institutes is inaccurate. Introduction: Recently, the Ministry of Education has released the 6th edition of NIRF rankings. NIRF formulates the ranking on the basis of five parameters. Each of these has one to five sub-parameters. The article discusses Regional Diversity which is a sub-parameter… Continue reading Measuring Regional Diversity – Regarding NIRF
Missing skills: Low employability calls for academia-industry link
Synopsis: Given the poor employability of Indian graduates, urgent steps are needed to address the skill gaps. Introduction The QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022 were recently released. The report reveals that no Indian Higher Education Institution is in the top 100 and only 3 HEI can make a place in the top 200. This shows the… Continue reading Missing skills: Low employability calls for academia-industry link
Building more inclusive, welcoming schools for LGBTQ+ children
Synopsis: Not just infrastructure and process revamp, we also need reforms in curriculum and teacher education. Introduction This article highlights the discrimination faced by the non-binary gender. Recently, during the Shiksha Parv conclave, PM also emphasized the need for inclusive and equitable education. Recently, Kerala High Court brought attention to medical textbooks that described non-binary… Continue reading Building more inclusive, welcoming schools for LGBTQ+ children
Three IITs among world’s top 200 in QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022
What is the News? The QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022 has been released. About QS Graduate Employability Rankings QS Graduate Employability Rankings is released by global higher education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds(QS). Purpose: It is an innovative exercise designed to provide the world’s students with a unique tool by which they can compare university performance in… Continue reading Three IITs among world’s top 200 in QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022
New panel to devise school curriculum
What is the News? The Union Education Ministry has set up a committee headed by space scientist K. Kasturirangan to devise the National Curriculum Frameworks(NCFs). About the Committee on National Curriculum Framework(NCF) The National Curriculum Framework serves as a guiding document for the development of textbooks, syllabus and teaching practices in schools across the country.… Continue reading New panel to devise school curriculum
The difference education makes to what the salaried earn in India
Synopsis: Earning variations can be explained by education but our problem of educated unemployment deserves deeper examination. Introduction Unemployment among educated youth has been high in India for some years now. Despite consistently rising unemployment, youngsters continue to invest in education because over their lifetime, they expect to earn more compared to people with low… Continue reading The difference education makes to what the salaried earn in India
Inequity and injustice writ large – Regarding NEET
Synopsis: This article explains the journey of Education and issues surrounding NEET. Introduction Historically, states had established medical colleges and allowed private persons to establish medical colleges. States regulated the admission of students to these colleges. Standards and quality of education improved over time. But, the NEET is creating an era of great inequity and… Continue reading Inequity and injustice writ large – Regarding NEET
Empathy through Education
Synopsis: Social and Emotional Learning is not fluff; it is an important goal in education. Introduction The article highlights the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as an important tool of education. India’s recent National Education Policy also highlights its importance in children’s development. What is SEL? It forms the foundation of human development, for… Continue reading Empathy through Education
Phase 2 of Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme launched by IT Minister
What is the News? Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology launched Phase II of the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme. What is Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme? Launched by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in 2014 Aim: To enhance the number of PhDs in Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES) sectors in… Continue reading Phase 2 of Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme launched by IT Minister
As children come back to school, they will need both time and patience
Synopsis: As the schools will soon reopen after the pandemic induced gap, what should be the factors that should drive the education system? Introduction Pandemic has had a negative impact on the education of children with students facing up to 57 weeks of school closure. They might have forgotten what they had learnt. But there… Continue reading As children come back to school, they will need both time and patience
‘Know the enemy, know self’ is sound professional advice
Synopsis: India needs to up its game when it comes to Professional Military Education. We need professionals who are domain specialists having both academic and field experience. Introduction Sun Tzu, Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher, famously said, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a… Continue reading ‘Know the enemy, know self’ is sound professional advice
Where is the strategy for dealing with learning loss during Covid?
Synopsis: As the schools reopen, it should not just be the regular business. This should be used as an opportunity to revamp the education system. Introduction COVID has impacted the various sections of society, especially the students. With the question of reopening the schools, the parallel debate is going on how to cover the damage… Continue reading Where is the strategy for dealing with learning loss during Covid?
National Entrance cum Eligibility Test(NEET) – Issues and Significance- Explained, pointwise
For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Recently, The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a Bill to dispense with the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET). This bill is passed based on the recommendation of the high-level committee led by retired judge AK Rajan. The committee report was prepared after looking into around 86,000 representations from various… Continue reading National Entrance cum Eligibility Test(NEET) – Issues and Significance- Explained, pointwise
The legacy of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, and his contribution to the building of AMU
What is the News? Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh State University in Aligarh, UP. About Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh: Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh was born in 1886. He was a freedom fighter, social reformer and an internationalist. What are the contributions Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh? He gave… Continue reading The legacy of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, and his contribution to the building of AMU
IIT success as B-schools is a sign of a more expansive education vision taking root at premier engineering institutions
Synopsis: The IITs, were long known to provide only technical courses. However, we see that they are also doing well in management courses. Introduction Six IITs came in the top 20 management institutions, even outpacing reputed business schools such as IIM-Indore and IIM-Lucknow. This shows that India’s premier engineering schools are not restricted just only… Continue reading IIT success as B-schools is a sign of a more expansive education vision taking root at premier engineering institutions
Atal Innovation Mission launches Space challenge in collaboration with ISRO & CBSE across India
What is the news? Recently, Atal Innovation Mission has launched a Space challenge 2021 in collaboration with ISRO & CBSE for all school students across the country. What is ATL (Atal Tinkering Labs) Space Challenge 2021? It is a platform where students from Class 6-12 can innovate and solve digital age space technology problems. The event… Continue reading Atal Innovation Mission launches Space challenge in collaboration with ISRO & CBSE across India
Union Education Minister releases India Rankings 2021
What is the News? The Ministry of Education has released the sixth edition of the India Rankings 2021 instituted by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). About National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Launched by: The National Institutional Ranking Framework(NIRF) was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Education. Objective: To rank higher educational institutions in… Continue reading Union Education Minister releases India Rankings 2021
A reality check for higher education dreams
Synopsis: The proposed academic bank of credits, multiple entry-exit options will require infrastructure, manpower and budget that the Indian education system simply does not possess Introduction The article highlights the changes that are required in National Education Policy (NEP) to make our present education system more effective. What are the observations of the National Education… Continue reading A reality check for higher education dreams
Union Minister presents the 8th INSPIRE – MANAK Awards during a virtual ceremony
What is the News? The Union Minister of Science & Technology has presented the 8th INSPIRE – MANAK Awards during a virtual ceremony. About INSPIRE-MANAK Awards The INSPIRE-MANAK Awards is one of the components of the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Scheme. Aim: To motivate students in the age group of 10-15… Continue reading Union Minister presents the 8th INSPIRE – MANAK Awards during a virtual ceremony
Long term Impacts of School Closure – Explained, pointwise
For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Recently, a Survey named School Children’s Online and Offline Learning(SCHOOL) was conducted to understand the impact of the prolonged closure of schools due to the pandemic. The survey mentioned that the prolonged School closure at primary and upper primary levels since the onset of the pandemic has led to “catastrophic consequences”… Continue reading Long term Impacts of School Closure – Explained, pointwise
Shikshak Parv: PM Narendra Modi launches key education initiatives
What is the news? The Prime minister has recently launched several initiatives in the education sector on Shiksha Parv. The aim behind these initiatives is to make our education system globally competitive. It also aims to make the youth future-ready. What is Shiksha Parv? It is being celebrated by the Ministry of Education. It is… Continue reading Shikshak Parv: PM Narendra Modi launches key education initiatives
Survey: 37% poor rural students not studying at all
What is the News? A Survey named School Children’s Online and Offline Learning(SCHOOL) was conducted to understand the impact of the prolonged closure of schools due to the pandemic. About the Survey SCHOOL The survey was conducted in 15 states and Union Territories(UTs). It focused on relatively deprived hamlets and ‘bastis’(slums), where children generally attend… Continue reading Survey: 37% poor rural students not studying at all
“The world is changing rapidly and teachers must meet its challenges”
Synopsis: Implementation of new education reforms or else we might lose the privilege of educating the next generation. Introduction Like the greatest teachers, Buddha, Christ, Rama-Krishna, Aurobindo, Yogananda or Nanak, who never used classrooms, blackboards, maps or charts or kept no records, gave no grades but changed the lives of millions with their inclusivity and… Continue reading “The world is changing rapidly and teachers must meet its challenges”
40 Central universities to implement credit ban
What is the News? Forty Central universities will be implementing innovative measures such as the academic credit bank and the Glue Grant Scheme. About Glue Grant Scheme: Under the Glue Grant Scheme, institutions in the same city would be encouraged to share resources, equipment and even allow their students to take classes from each other. … Continue reading 40 Central universities to implement credit ban
Centre targets five areas for reforms in higher education
Source: This post is based on the article “Centre targets five areas for reforms in higher education” published in Livemint on 1st September 2021. What is the News? University Grants Commission(UGC) has identified five key areas of focus in the next phase of reforms in the higher education sector. Which are those Five Focus Areas?… Continue reading Centre targets five areas for reforms in higher education
Making sure that girls don’t drop out of school
Source: Indian Express Synopsis: Addressing gender bias in education requires providing social, financial and emotional support to the girl child. Introduction In the recently held Olympics, Indian women showed their excellent performance. They can also excel in other fields like education. Women can contribute not just to the economy of the nation, but can also be… Continue reading Making sure that girls don’t drop out of school
India’s tuition Pandemic (On India’s mushrooming ed-tech sector)
Source: Times of India Relevance: Issues due to the rise of Edtech sector Synopsis: With billions of dollars in capital and tech backing, Indian educational corporates are creating a situation of tuition pandemic. China’s crackdown on edtech Recently, the Chinese government announced a crackdown on its booming educational tuition sector. Under its new policy, private… Continue reading India’s tuition Pandemic (On India’s mushrooming ed-tech sector)
Higher education in regional languages won’t be easy
Source: Live Mint Relevance: Use of mother tongue in teaching and associated issues Synopsis: Need for promoting the use of mother tongue in teaching at higher educational institutions and challenges associated with it. Must Read: A language ladder for an education roadblock Need The following reasons indicate that teaching in vernacular is indeed helpful and… Continue reading Higher education in regional languages won’t be easy
The class divide that threatens to thwart our educational goals
Source: LiveMint Relevance: Understand the learning loss due to Pandemic Synopsis: The article highlights the “learning loss” that occurred due to school closure during the pandemic. India has to work hard to ensure that learning loss does not translate to a loss in future. Introduction The lockdowns because of the Pandemic impacted the learning, especially for… Continue reading The class divide that threatens to thwart our educational goals
CSIR-CMERI ‘Collaborative Model with the Market’ for establishing Industry-Academia Linkage
Source: PIB What is the News? CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute(CMERI) has launched a ‘Collaborative Model with the Markets’ for establishing Industry-Academia Linkage. Background: India aspires to be a ‘Global Manufacturing Powerhouse’ of the Future. It also aims to be a ‘Zero-Defect’ Manufacturing Economy where there is a minimum tolerance for deviation from precision parameters. … Continue reading CSIR-CMERI ‘Collaborative Model with the Market’ for establishing Industry-Academia Linkage
Why the post-pandemic school is an opportunity to reinvent learning?
Source: Indian Express Relevance: Importance of student-friendly learning Synopsis: The classroom must be centred on joyful and creative learning. It should join the dots between children’s lives and education. Introduction Education is not a race. It is a child’s journey to fulfilling his potential. Reopening schools can be an opportunity to rethink the teaching and learning… Continue reading Why the post-pandemic school is an opportunity to reinvent learning?
