Imparting Modern Education With Values And Awareness : N Dhiren Singh, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Khumbong, Imphal, Manipur

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January 5, 2009

N Dhiren Singh
Principal, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Khumbong, Imphal, Manipur

“It is mandatory for every teacher to use some element of ICT in classroom. A register is maintained to record the ICT based classes taken by teachers”

What is your vision for quality education in JNV Khumbong Imphal?

The vision of our school is to impart quality modern education along with inculcation of values, environment awareness, and physical education, to students predominantly from rural areas and to aid their physical, mental, and spiritual growth. Our JNVs also strive to serve as focal points in each district for improvement in quality of school education in general through sharing of experiences and facilities.

Please tell us about the curriculum and learning methodology followed in the school.

Our school follows the NCERT curriculum and is affiliated to CBSE. The learning activity of the Vidyalaya is highly integrated to ICT. Teachers use Power Point presentations, animated multimedia presentations, etc. to deliver their lectures. Internet is also used by teachers to retrieve various subject related topics. It is mandatory for every teacher to use some element of ICT in classroom. A register is maintained to record the ICT based classes taken by teachers.

Our students make their project work using Microsoft Word and Power Point, download various subject related topics, sample papers, fill online forms for many competitive examinations using Internet.

What are the initiatives taken up by your school for integrating ICT in education?

The school has provided enough infrastructure, procured various educational CDs, made arragement for conducting ICT classes in two different rooms with LCD projectors and computers. We also have the EDUSAT facilty for interacting with different educational institutes, organisations, experts, etc. Teachers make projects using Power Point presentations, make every teacher take class using ICT at least once/twice a week. Students are also allowed to use computers and Internet twice a week for every class i.e., from VI to XII.

What are the major challenges as far as integration of ICT?

Some of the challenges faced by our school while implementing the ICT programmes/projects are:

Frequent power cut and load shedding hampers smooth use of ICT. We try our best to solve the problem by using a generator of 25KVA and 15 KVA stand by generator.
Maintenance of hardware components like UPS, CPU Monitor, etc. is another problem as it is difficult to purchase such hardware components.
Misuse of technology by students is yet another challenge. Students want to use computers for entertainment rather than as a learning tool.

How do you build teachers` capacity in rendering technology mediated education?

Our school have given training to almost all the teachers through Microsoft programmes. Knowledge of the teachers is further enhanced with the use of Internet, as they can draw new concepts, ideas and detailed material on their topics, which enhance their teaching. This further helps them in their professional growth while producing good results in examinations.

How do you see Public- Private Partnership for enhancing proper use of technologies in school education?

Both the sectors need to be aware of the various uses of technology in school education and its importance, so that they in turn can venture to improve or enhance this field to give quality education to our students.

What are the future initiatives/plans for integrating ICT in school education?

For bringing about an effective integration of ICT in education, we should try and enhance the knowledge in the domain for both teachers and students by interacting with differents firms, organisations, experts, etc. There is also a need to update our ICT technologies as far as possible to improve teaching learning process.

Unleashing Unlimited Potential : Rajeev Katyal, Microsoft

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January 5, 2009

Rajeev Katyal
Director Education, Microsoft

“Microsoft`s vision for education in the 21st century is driven by the shared belief that the use of technology in education will help remove limitations, foster innovation, and enable students and teachers to achieve their fullest potential”

Please take us briefly through Microsoft`s engagement with the education community in India?

Microsoft has a long-term partnership with India which goes back to 1990 when we set up operations in the country. We believe that technology offers new educational possibilities that can help empower both teachers and students everywhere. Under the Unlimited Potential effort, Microsoft India is focused on long-term investments for facilitating relevant, affordable access to technology in areas which are aligned to India`s priorities

Helping Children Become Lifelong Learners : Sita Umamaheshwaran, PSBB Millennium School,Chennai, India

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January 5, 2009

Sita Umamaheshwaran
Principal, PSBB Millennium School, Chennai

Our curriculum follows the principle of subject integration with topics lending to each other irrespective of the Subject

What is your vision for quality education in PSBB Millennium School?

We firmly believe that as an institution dedicated to the cause of education, we must passionately help children to recognise their true potential and shape them into confident, responsible, and multifaceted individuals; Become lifelong learners and globally competitive citizens with firm rooting in Indian values; and inculcate in them the need to achieve human excellence.

Please tell us about the curriculum and learning methodology followed in your school.

The PSBB Millennium School follows the curriculum guidelines and syllabus laid down by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Our syllabus is built on a rich foundation of reading, writing, and arithmetic, which is then layered with history, science, music, geography, and the arts to ensure there are no gaps in instruction. Our curriculum follows the principle of subject integration with topics lending to each other irrespective of the Subject. This develops higher order thinking skills and promotes content mastery.

What initiatives have been undertaken by your school for integrating ICT in school education?

Ever since its inception four years ago, ICT has played a major role in our school. The Smart Class modules are used for set induction, driving home of a concept to give greater clarity, and as an instant quiz for gathering the level of assimilation among children. This instant feedback helps her either proceed further or stop for another strengthening of the concept. This also saves time for the teacher as they do not have to wait for the evaluation exam at a later date.

What major challenges did you come across in integrating ICT in your school?

Initially, in any institution the first year of implementation is always the toughest. The institution needs not only the complete support of the management, but also a conviction of the teachers actually using the technology. Untrained teachers need to be given specific training and a lot of hand-holding.

How do you build teachers` capacity in rendering technology mediated education?

Initially the teachers have to be taken through the entire process of going through the methodology of using technology mediated education. This is done at our School through a series of workshops by Educomp Solutions especially designed to equip the teachers with the knowledge of handling the modules and making them comfortable. The next stage is to help them plan their lessons. Ultimately it is the teachers creativity and interest that helps her graduate from a good teacher to an effective teacher.

How would you rate the role of Public Private Partnership in enhancing proper use of technologies in school education?

Considering the fact that public schools or government schools are actually trying to come forward in making the teaching learning process as effective as is being done in the private sector, it would be really nice if companies came forward to help the government run schools and train the government teachers. Once this is in place the great divide will become narrower and children will have the opportunity to shine and excel no matter what background they come from.

What are the future initiatives/plans for integrating ICT in school education in the coming years?

The PSBB Millennium is already three steps ahead of other institutions as we have done away with the chalk and talk method. Interactive-Digiboards and LCD projectors complement what the teachers teach. The inclusion of One-on-One (O3) computing where every child from Class 3 to 7 has been given Intel`s CMPC (Classmate PC) has made the classroom even more exciting and also helped in inculcating a sense of confidence. Going forward we intend to make classroom learning a more vivid experience, proving that the world has indeed shrunk and that seamless learning can happen anywhere.

Education pitch at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

K-12

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January 5, 2009

The state department in an effort to capitalise the growing interest of NRIs in India at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held in Chennai by the Ministry of External Affairs for the overseas Indian community.

The department will showcase its schools through an online database and invite NRIs to enter a public-private partnership with any individual school to support its development and activities. The government plans to launch a comprehensive web portal to execute this venture and give donors accountability as funds would not go into a common donation pool and transparency would be maintained. The assistance can be on varied forms including school infrastructure, academic resources or accessories for extra-curricular activities. They could assist students by providing specific learning modules and financial endowments, innovative classroom techniques.

Most donors will be encouraged to contribute because such investments yield tax benefits in most countries.

Edexcel plans expansion in India

Corporate Updates

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January 5, 2009

Edexcel is expanding in India after spending 12 years in the education and training sector in the country. The expansion includes regional presence with new offices in Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai and diversisfication into products offering skill based modules.

The estimated cost of the expansion is Rs 10 crore, it has already made in-roads into Indian academic space by representing vocational streams. It has partnered with Aptech and IGNOU for offering diploma programmes and is currently in talks with Educomp Solutions, Everon Systems and Reliance Retail to bring in curriculum and teacher-student material for quality control. Currently, almost 25,000 students have registered themselves for various Edexcel programmes.

Future plans includes entering the soft skills space by offering 60 small modules on communication, interviewing skills and behaviour.

States announce shift to NCERT curriculum

Policy Matters

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January 5, 2009

The government run schools of 12 states will now teach NCERT textbooks to benefit students and bring uniformity in taught curriculum across India.

The States are Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana,Kerala and Punjab. Current statistics reveal 31.3 per cent of the senior secondary level students across India follow NCERT books whereas the National
Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 mandates to bring uniformity in course curriculum across boards and improve the quality of education.

IIT gets ready for the Entrepreneurship Summit

Higher Education

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January 5, 2009

So you have made a start but dont know where to get the funding, head for IIT Mumbai.

Investor Pitch is a call to all budding entrepreneurs to a unique platform to showcase their products and services at the being organised by the Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) of IIT Bombay. The Entrepreneurship Summit, an E-Cell initiative, will bring together aspiring and successful entrepreneurs, startups, venture capitalists and academicians on a common platform. A distinguished panel of venture capitalist firms including Seedfund, Nexus India Capital, Ojas Ventures, Waygate Capital, Milagrow Ventures, Indian Angel Network etc will provide a platform to grab a funding upto Rs 5 crores.

So put that business plan in shape and head for Investor Pitch! Log on http://esummit.ecell.in/

Delhi plans Rs 196 crores for inclusive education

Policy Matters

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January 5, 2009

The Education minister has announced the updgradation of 200 selected government schools for infrastructure facilities and also 63 government schools will be upgraded to the secondary level.

The state with an average per school allocation of Rs 60-70 lakh aims to improve drinking water, toilet, electricity and having green boards in all classrooms. The directorate of education (DoE) has engaged the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) and the Public Works Department (PWD) for this upgradation, under which additional rooms will be constructed.

The effort aims to build schools that are inclusive and bring down the out-of-school ratio of students, the Department of Education informs that 24 government schools in Delhi will be turned into 'model schools' implementing policies regarding the mainstreaming of children with special needs on the Building As a Learning Aid (Bala) model. The schools will be equipped with labs for the
hearing-impaired, braille books etc with trained teachers from the Rehabilitation Council of India.

Schools forced to extend winter break

K-12

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January 5, 2009

It is biting cold and parents have to send their little children to school early in the morning. It's not a very happy thought for most parents. And with many schools in the city reopening on Monday, parents have already hit the panic button. Acting on their concern, DPS is the first to extend its winter vacations for the primary classes. DPS East of Kailash and DPS Vasant Vihar, which were to reopen on Monday, will now open a week later on December 12. 'We have extended the vacations for our two junior schools because of the cold conditions. This decision is for the students aged between four and ten years. Parents are also concerned about it. So I have written to the chairperson of the DPS management committee to allow us to extend the holidays for the middle classes also,' said Shyama Chona, principal, DPS R K Puram.

Many other schools like Springdales, Apeejay, Pitampura, Modern, Barakhamba Road and government schools are still reopening on Monday. Gyan Bharti, Saket will reopen on Decemebr 7. Few schools like Tagore International, Vasant Vihar, VV DAV School in Vikaspuri will anyway open for students again on December 12. With thick fog and mercury dipping further, parents feel that schools should continue with their vacations for some more days. However, the government is planning to wait and watch before taking a decision. 'We will wait for another day to see if the cold conditions get any worse. We will then decide if the schools need to be closed for longer or not,' said Arvinder Singh Lovely, state education minister.

Leading The Way in IT and Management Education : Dr S G Deshmukh, QAI

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January 4, 2009

Dr S G Deshmukh
Director, ABV-Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Gwalior

“The current employment quotient among graduates is very low! This can be enhanced through strengthening the existing curriculum”

What are the challenges confronting India`s higher education system today?

The challenges confronting India`s higher education system are on account of both quantity and quality. That is, increased intake (look at the number of IITs, IIMs, IISERs and IIITs that have been added in last few years) coupled with increase in private engineering/management colleges. The challenge is to manage these numbers without compromising quality. There is also an acute shortage of quality faculty members who can deliver.

ICT can help overcome these challenges through quality instruction or resource material. Delivering it through web and thereby enhancing the reach and making the content interesting and motivating for learners.

What initiatives have been taken by your institute for integrating ICT in its framework?

ABV-IIITM Gwalior is the foremost institution providing technical and managerial education in the areas of Information Technology and Management in India. Our class rooms are net enabled. We make extensive use of LCD projectors in the class rooms. We have Digital Library through which students can access journals/books.

We are planning to set up a studio through which satellite link can be established.The institute has more than 11 laboratories. All the labs are connected to the campus wide networking backbone for 24 hours Internet connection. We also have the facility to share faculty resources of other institutes such as IIT Delhi and Mumbai through Skypak and web casting.

Do you think a Public Private Partnership model will help in effective integration of technology in higher education?

Yes, public and private partnership can definitely be a mode of interaction. Through this, one can think of: (a) large investment, and (b) quality service which will enable customer satisfaction.

What do you think of the current employability quotient among graduates? In what ways can it be enhanced?

The current employment quotient among graduates is very low! This can be enhanced through strengthening the existing curriculum by giving more hands-on experiments and enhancing laboratory skills, incorporating soft skills in curriculum, making industry projects (at final year) mandatory, inviting speakers/guest faculty from industry in various courses and encouraging alumni to interact with students, etc.

In your opinion, what measures are required to increase the higher education enrollment ratio to meet the 11th Plan target?

The higher education enrollment ratio can be increased through measures like making higher education attractive by offering incentives in terms of assistantships, loans and incentives to faculty, facilitating industry-institute partnerships, encouraging industry sponsored R & D, facilitating networking of institutes and enter into MoU with various institutes from abroad and make use of technology for enhancing quality of education

Do you think India`s higher education system can be compared to the best in the world, especially the UK and US?

At present, IITs, IISc and IIMs can be compared to the best in the world. However, the same thing cannot be said about other institutes/universities. This could be due to mistaken emphasis on regulatory bodies, absence of self-regulatory mechanism, lack of respect for higher education in society, lack of confidence in industry circles about our Science and Technology, and inadequate support mechanisms.

If we remove these barriers, we can see a bright future as we are endowed with good basic education and our students are strong in quantitative skills.

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