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Pokhriyal builds task force to for imparting technical education in mother tongue

Ramesh_Pokhriyal_Nishank

In a major development, the Education Ministry set up a task force for preparing a roadmap on imparting technical education, including engineering courses, in mother tongue.

The decision was taken by the minister at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.

“The meeting today is a step in the direction towards achieving the prime minister’s vision that students may pursue professional courses such as medicine, engineering and law in their mother tongue. No language will be imposed on any student but enabling provisions should be made so that bright students are not deprived of technical education due to lack of knowledge of the English language,” Nishank said.

Also read: Pokhriyal: NEP 2020 upholds the reservation policy

“A task force for preparing a roadmap on imparting technical education in mother tongue was formed today. The task force set up under the chairmanship of Secretary, Higher Education will take into consideration the suggestions made by various stakeholders and will submit a report in a month,” he said.

Higher Education Secretary Amit Khare; IIT Directors, academicians and senior officials of the ministry were present during the meeting whose agenda was to discuss and deliberate on implementation of the new National Education Policy (NEP).

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) will start offering engineering courses in mother tongue from next academic year. The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Nishank last week.

CBSE officials rule out conducting board exams online

CBSE officials

According to CBSE officials, the board exams in 2021 will be in written mode only and not online. The board dismissed the rumors said consultations on dates are still underway.

The officials of the board also said that if students were not able to sit for practicals in classes before the exams, alternatives would be explored.

“No final decision has been taken regarding the dates for conduct of board exams, and consultations with stakeholders are still in process. The exams, as and when they are conducted, will be in written mode and not in an online mode. The exams will be conducted following all COVID protocols,” a senior CBSE official said.

Also read: CBSE: Not released board exams, practical dates

“In case students are not able to do practicals in classes before the exams, alternatives to practical exams will have to be explored,” the official added.

Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ”Nishank” is supposed to hold an interaction with students, teachers and parents on December 10 on the issue of conduct of board examinations and competitive examinations next year.

Schools across the country were closed in March to contain the spread of COVID-19 and partially reopened in some states from October 15. However, a few states decided to keep them closed in view of a spike in the infections.

The board exams that were being conducted in March had to be postponed mid-way. The exams were later cancelled, and the results were announced on the basis of an alternative assessment scheme. Competitive exams like JEE and NEET were also postponed twice this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ed-tech start-up eduTinker launches student- teacher management app

eduTinker

Ed-tech start-up, eduTinker, launched its app to automate the physical classroom activities and drive efficiency in the era of remote learning. Developed with an idea to provide comprehensive students’ activity management platform, the app is the one-stop solution that makes it convenient for teachers to make all class-related communication available on a single platform.

The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 presented the education sector with challenges in learning delivery. Technical difficulties, lack of engagement, and communication breakdown interrupt the learning process. Founded by two technology enthusiasts – Akash Aggarwal and Nilesh Gupta, eduTinker assists teachers in overcoming the challenges of setting an interactive teaching environment that boosts student engagement and efficiency.

Also read: Ed-Tech Start up Genius Teacher raises $2 million

Akash Aggarwal, Founder & CEO of eduTinker said, “The COVID-19 has disrupted the physical education system around the world. Considering the onset of the pandemic, the launch of eduTinker works as a catalyst for the sector to adopt innovative digital infrastructure for connecting students, teachers, parents, and institutions on a single platform.”

The newly launched app assists teachers in boosting online classroom interaction with its intuitive features such as writing on a collaborative whiteboard, showcasing study material tool, and enabling teachers to share the study materials and videos for better understanding of the students. Furthermore, the app features tools that upscale teachers’ productivity by allowing them to create and share assignments with students, evaluate assignments with voice-enabled feedback, download attendance reports, grade tests, and sending real-time notifications on each activity update.

UGC tells Universities to work on cyber security

UGC tells Universities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all varsities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to facilitate and encourage the academic fraternity to work on cyber security and include the topic in the curriculum.

The commission has noted that the government is in the process of formulating a National Cyber Security Strategy document and till then cyber security awareness should begin at the school level itself.

UGC secretary Rajnish Jain said in a letter to vice chancellors, “Cyberspace is a complex environment consisting of interactions between people, software and services, supported by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices and networks. It is vulnerable to a wide variety of incidents, whether intentional or accidental, manmade or natural. Therefore, cyber security awareness has become a prime concern in today’s networked world.”

Also read: UGC releases guidelines for reopening of higher educational institutions

“The government is in process of formulating National Cyber Security Strategy document. In the meantime, it has been decided that cyber security awareness should start at school level where syllabus can start with cyber safety measures and progressively include offensive and defensive aspects at IIT and higher education level,” he added.

Directing, the HEIs to take appropriate action on the implementation of the cyber security awareness, the Commission said, “HEls may further encourage, promote and facilitate the academic fraternity to work on cyber security start-ups and conduct of hackathons”.

According to the United Nations, millions of children around the world are at an increased risk of online sexual exploitation, violence and cyber bullying as they spend more time on virtual platforms due to the closing of schools amid COVID-19 lockdown.

Pokhriyal invites queries on CBSE, JEE Main, NEET 2021 Exam dates

Pokhriyal invites queries

As boards and testing agencies get ready for the 2021 academic calendar, the biggest questions that seek answers are the questions on CBSE Board Exam, JEE Main and NEET 2021 exam dates. Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank would go live on Twitter and Facebook to answer these questions on December 10, 2020. Ahead of the same, he has invited concerns, suggestions and opinions of students, teachers and parents for the same.

People can share their suggestion, concerns and opinion with the hashtag – #EducationMinisterGoesLive and tweet it. You can also leave the query on Education Minister’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Many experts and Teachers have also asked for more time and insist on resumption of physical classes before board exams.

Also read: Pokhriyal: Evaluate economic impact of women working in hills

As for JEE and NEET 2021 examinations, many experts are suggesting reduction in syllabus and change in dates. Last updates from NTA had suggested that JEE Main 2021 January examination may be pushed till February and that the registration would commence from December first week. More clarity is expected when Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank goes live on social media on December 10.

 

Kalpathi Group launches ed-tech platform Veranda

Kalpathi Group

The Chennai based Kalpathi Group, announced the launch of their new ed-tech venture Veranda Learning Solution, India’s first comprehensive 360-degree online education platform. Veranda comes from the Kalpathi AGS group that has immense experience in education, technology and top quality production with proven expertise in the past.

Veranda is building a unique online platform that will combine the best of technology, processes, and methodologies to deliver high-quality content seeking to be one of India’s first to offer a comprehensive 360 degree education. Focused on academic outcomes for its students, Veranda adopts a multi-modal delivery system backed by a rigorous and disciplined learning framework.

Also read: Mumbai University launches MA programme in Hindi and Marathi

Speaking on the occasion Suresh Kalpathi said, “with the launch of Veranda we aim to establish an education company of choice for our customers who need a committed partner to drive their success by offering affordable, best in class and focused online content. Our intent is firmly on being a reliable provider delivering outcomes for all those who opt for our courses”.

“The Indian online education market, supported by macro-economic changes, improvements in product offerings and changes in business models, is expected to grow to USD 1.96 billion by 2021 and to USD 4.87 billion by 2024. Veranda is ideally placed to play a dominant role in the education industry. Being built with an initial investment of Rs. 50 crores, Veranda plans to expand its portfolio through organic development and acquisitions.”

Pokhriyal: Evaluate economic impact of women working in hills

Pokhriyal

Union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said the new initiative – Indian Himalayan Central University Consortium (IHCUC) – launched by NITI Aayog at Garhwal University will evaluate economic impact of women workers in the hilly regions of the Himalayan states.

“The consortium should work on agro-ecology of Himalayan states with special reference to marketing; development of affordable and environmentally friendly tourism in hilly areas; creation of employment opportunities for migration control from mountainous regions. This will help evaluate the economic impact of women working in the hills,” Pokhriyal said.

He asked vice-chancellors of the Himalayan universities to undertake research in Hill Agriculture, Horticulture, Herb Production, Floriculture, Organic Agriculture, Eco-tourism, and Technology. This would produce the sources of livelihood in Himalaya.

Also read: Pokhriyal: NEP 2020 upholds the reservation policy

Hemvati Nandan Garhwal University in Pauri Garhwal celebrated its 8th convocation on Tuesday. Pokhriyal was the chief guest at the event.

This year, 155 students registered for online convocation of which 72 students were awarded Ph.D., 59 gold medals were awarded to the toppers in various subjects.

Vice-chancellor Prof Annapurna Nautiyal said, “This year, the university decided to have the convocation through an online medium to promote an academic spirit despite the Covid-19 global epidemic. Despite various geographical disparities and resource shortages, the university has successfully converted the challenges arising out of Covid-19 into an opportunity by using online mediums.”

Mumbai University launches MA programme in Hindi and Marathi

Mumbai University launches MA programme

Mumbai University has launched two MA programmes in Public Relations and Communication and Journalism. The programme will be conducted in the online and blended mode in partnership with UPGrad. The programme will be available in Hindi and Marathi.

According to reports, it is the first time that the online platform UpGrad is offering courses in a vernacular language for the higher education programme. The programme will be a 15 hour class per week with both live and recorded lectures from Mumbai University faculty and industry leaders.

Chief Executive Officer UpGrad India – Arjun Mohan stated that the collaboration intends to disrupt the educational stereotypes associated with online learning and make the degree accessible, affordable and flexible.

Also read: Mumbai University postpones UG, PG exams

He further added that through the strategic alliance with the University the e-learning platform aims to assist aspiring learners with accurate programme guidance, updated academia and steadfast placement support contributing towards the government mission of doubting the country college and university enrolment to reach 50 per cent by 2035.

He also pointed out that the first batches of the programme are scheduled to commence from December 31, 2020. According to the details provided, the programme also reserves seats for specially-abled learners.

Pokhriyal: NEP 2020 upholds the reservation policy

Pokhriyal NEP 2020

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has issued a clarification over reports of National Education Policy (NEP) diluting various provisions of reservation in educational institutions.

Pokhriyal has issued a statement stating that the NEP 2020 upholds the reservation policy enshrined in the Constitution of India. “I would like to clarify with all authority in my command that there is no such intention, as is clearly reflected in NEP-2020.

The policy affirms…the constitutional mandate of reservation enshrined in Article 15 and Article 16 of the Indian Constitution,” reads the statement by the education minister. The controversy broke after CPI (M) leader, Sitaram Yechury wrote to the prime minister, Narendra Modi, seeking clarification on the provision for ‘reservation’ in the NEP 2020.

Also read: Pokhriyal urges students to help atleast three persons

Yechury in his letter to PM Modi wrote: “Seeking your clear and categorical response to the following question viz., does NEP2020 seek to end the policy of reservations for SC, ST, OBC a. disabled in educational institutions, If not, could you please clarify as to why NEP2020 does not contain any mention of reservations.” Pokhriyal’s clarification says that various entrance examinations like the JEE, NEET, UGC-NET, IGNOU were organized after the declaration of NEP-2020 and many appointment processes were also held in educational institutions, but his government has not received a single complaint of dilution of reservation provision so far.

Karnataka CM launches LMS for govt school students

Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa

For the benefit or 4.5 lakh students, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa launched the Karnataka Learning Management System (LMS). The new LMS will help 24,000 teachers to make an impact on their learning and teaching.

“The KLMS is implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 34.14 crore in two ways – LMS-based digital learning and establishing 2500 ICT enabled classes,” Yediyurappa said while launching the initiative virtually from his home office here.

The CM added that the KLMS would cover 430 government first grade colleges, 87 government polytechnics and 14 government engineering colleges and the continuous evaluation of students and teachers would pave the way for several changes in the quality of higher education.

Also read: Karnataka govt formulates SOPs to open educational institutions

He claimed that the KLMS is a first of its kind initiative in the country and hoped that this system, which encourages digital learning, would improve the quality and Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education. He added that students can access study material anytime and anywhere through the KLMS.

Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan said that KLMS will help students learn anytime, anywhere, online or offline and evaluation of each student will be maintained in this system. Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S. Suresh Kumar, member of National Education Policy drafting Committee M.K. Shridhar, Secretary to Chief Minister S. Selvakumar and Commissioner of Collegiate Education Pradeep were also present on the occasion.

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