Central Government sanctions 756 Crore to set up medical colleges in Assam

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February 18, 2017

Union Minister J P Nadda, has recently announced that the Central Government furthering has sanctioned Rs 756 crore for setting up four new medical colleges in Assam. It will help the state in resolving the healthcare atrocities in Assam. The announcement was made by the union minister at the launch ceremony for the construction of a medical college at Dhubri district in Assam.

Nadda said, “The Central Government has prepared a National List of Essential Medicines and planning to make these drugs available at AMRIT pharmacies in the state at a fix rate”.

Nadda also stated that in 16 District Hospitals of Assam, the Central government is planning to provide around 500 types of medicines, 85 types of tests free of cost. He added further that the facilities will also be made available at community health centres and primary health centres in due time.

Budget of Rs 189 crore and 108 bigha land has been sanctioned for the medical college to be buoilt at Dhubri. The medical college is expected to be finished in 3 years and there are plans to attach the medical college with the District and Referral Hospital in Dhubri that can currently accommodate 200 patients.

Nadda further added, “It’s a great day for the people of the region to have this kind of healthcare facilities. I must appreciate that the Chief Minister and the Health Minister have been able to live up to the Centre’s expectation. This cancer hospital will now serve the people of the region.”

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was also present at the occasion and told it as a milestone event for the district.

Delhi nursery admissions to be centralized from next year

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By

Akash

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February 17, 2017

Delhi government has put forward a proposal to centralise the process for nursery admissions from the next academic year. The centralised process will let parents to apply for the schools of their choice.

According to the officials, the proposed system will ensure transparency in the admission process without compromising the autonomy enjoyed by private schools.

Another report by a leading news paper revealed that the new process will help in streamlining admissions and make it hassle-free for parents. To implement the process from academic year 2018-19, the state government will start the process of collecting data from private schools in April this year.

The centralised system will cover all 1,700 city schools recognised by the Directorate of Education (DOE), said officials. The above number includes schools on DDA land, which have taken the government to court over its neighbourhood criteria for nursery admissions.

“Right now, we are following what the HC has ordered. Once the case is decided, the criteria settled upon will be embedded in the centralised system,” said Atishi Marlena, adviser to the education minister.

To choose a school, parents have to register themselves on the website of DOE as per the new system. After completion of registration, they will be directed to the admission form. The basic information of a child like name, age, parents’ details etc will remain same for all schools and be filled on the common form. Further on, parents will get to choose the schools of their choice on a map, and respective separate school criteria will be displayed on that form.

After this process is completed, the parents will be given a tally of their scores earned for each school applied to, for their own record.

STEM Subjects most promising for majority of girls as career option

By

Akash

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February 17, 2017

According to a study, it is revealed that majority of girls in India prefer to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The second edition of Mastercard Girls in Tech Research was conducted across six countries of Asia Pacific in December 2016 among 2,270 girls between the age group of 12 – 25.

The research says, besides the gender gap in India, there is greater acceptability amongst girls in choosing STEM subjects as a career choice. The research stated that only 34 per cent of girls opt for non STEM profession, there port further states parents as the key barriers for girls to choose STEM subjects. Out of all respondents in the research, 40 per cent feel that by offering more internship opportunities, educational institutions can help improve the situation by motivating girl students to choose for STEM careers.

The research report also reveals, at the age of 21, majority of STEM graduates were clear on their choice of career and decided to pursue the stream. The reason to choose STEM as a career option is high job satisfaction as 68 per cent of STEM professionals found employment in less than 6 months whereas for non-STEM graduates it takes at least a year to decide their career choice. Moreover, non-STEM professionals indicated a 33 per cent lower job satisfaction.

Sirena Technologies: Learning Through Robots

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Akash

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February 16, 2017

Sirena Technologies is setting new trends in education domain through its humanoid “Nino” to help teachers, says Hariharan Bojan, Founder and CEO, Sirena Technologies in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

What is your genesis behind establishing the organisation?

Sirena Technologies was started with a vision to impact the education system in India through technology (Robotics) and to manufacture affordable high-end products for India market like Wi-Fi speakers, Wi-Fi audio adaptors, LED lamps with speakers etc. Employees at Sirena Technologies, despite their varied backgrounds are collectively trying to develop feature rich, affordable and easy to use humanoid.

We’ve made excellent progress here over the last couple of years and with more opportunities our way; sky seems to be the limit.

Education and research are one of the most promising areas, how your products are fit for the aspirations of schools in these areas? What are your plans for collaboration with schools and other educational institutions?

The only way any country could progress is by imparting world class education to its children. We at Sirena truly believe that education will make an impact and with the kind of curriculum and programs we come up with is not only unique but world class.

We offer our service to schools though Sirena Knowledge & Information Programme (SKIP). SKIP enables learning through robots and learning about robotics in Preschool, Primary, Middle and High school. The programme enables students get an opportunity to learn by interacting with humanoid robots. Specially designed hands on activities facilitate students to connect their day to day learning in schools through our unique curriculum which directly maps with students syllabi.

We offer SKIP-inception program for nursery to grade-5 students and SKIP-inquiry program for grade-6 to grade-10 students to meet the needs of every school. As part of SKIP-inquiry, we set up robotics lab for schools and have students work hands-on with robots based exercises.

You have a special product — Humanoid Robot — How it can help in improving the teaching-learning process at schools?

“Nino” is our star and the heart of our SKIP program. Everything started as a medium to quench the thirst and slowly a medium to bridge the gaps and now its spread on its own.

Nino’s growth:

First time in India, a humanoid robot will be assisting the teacher in the class rooms starting from preschool to higher grades. The entire content is developed to suit the need of every child whom we diligently identify as unique.
Children not only learn through our curriculum, but learn about their potentials and are groomed accordingly.
Setting up Robotics & IoT Labs for schools, which would help students have a hands on experience and real time product development scope.

In order to develop a child holistically, what imagination and technology you use in the products to improve their understanding and learning?

“Nino” is a humanoid that can talk, walk, dance, sing, play and work wonders with its inherently built intelligence. The teaching, content and curriculum are so interesting that kids would find it no choice but to be involved. Nino would start understanding kids over time and once we integrate it with Artificial Intelligence (AI), the learning would be mutual and kids can engage with Nino as if it’s their “real” human friend, over time.

Nino is the only humanoid available in the market that is completely customised to meet the needs of the K-12 segment of mainstream schools and educational institutions with a strategic focus kept on price-sensitivity.

The concepts are such tapestry that it engages child in not just varied difficult concepts of classrooms but in most essential qualities of life like- Leadership- as we allow them to take initiative. Sharing – what joy is it if it can’t be embraced, Passion – a deepened desire to just do, artistic touches, intrinsic ways to relate things, a keen eye and a knack for choosing the best.

How do you see the company changing in two years, and how do you see yourself creating that change?

We are engaging with around 100 schools in the coming academic year and we would engage more than 1000 schools in the following year, spreading across all the states in India. We’ll be training a lot of teachers who would be “Sirena Certified”, who would teach Robotics in schools across India.

We’ll continue to focus on technology, which is the core to our service. We are building our next life-size Humanoid robot, which would make its entry in schools later this year and that’s going to revolutionise the way students learn.

MHRD to realease NIRF ranking on April 3

By

Akash

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February 15, 2017

Winners podium — Creative abstract winning, business competition and leadership, award ceremony and success and achievement concept: pedestal with first, second and third place with gold, silver and bronze numbers isolated on white background with reflection effect

According to a notice published on National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) website, national rankings for Indian Universities and Institutes of India for 2017 will be published on the website on first Monday of April, 2017 i.e. April 3. NIRF is a system introduced by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in 2016 to rank Indian Universities on various parameters.

Collection of data about higher education institutes in the country has been completed by MHRD has through Data Capturing System (DCS). The portal for Public perception is still open and will close on February 15, 2017 at 5:00 pm.

The first ever NIRF ranking was published in 2016. The institutes which participated were ranked in four categories – University, Engineering institutes, Management institutes, and Pharmacy institutes. The institutes were ranked on five major parameters.

Parameters used in NIRF ranking

There were five major parameters set by MHRD based on which Indian universities and institutes will be ranked. Each parameter has a maximum score of 100 and the total score of an institute will then be scaled down to 100. Each parameter holds different weightage in the ranking system. The five parameters for ranking are:

Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR) – For TLR, institutes are assessed on multiple factors such as student strength, faculty-student ratio, financial resources and their utilization etc. The weightage for TLR in ranking is 0.30.

Research and Professional Practice (RPP) – For RPP, institutes’ ranking is decided on the basis of factors such as research papers and journals published and quality of publication. RPP is given the weightage of 0.30 in ranking.

Graduation Outcome (GO) – Graduation Outcome decide the ranking of an institute on factors like placements, median salary, ratio of students admitted to top universities for higher studies etc. Weightage for this metric in overall ranking is 0.20.

Outreach and Inclusivity (OI) – This criterion assess an institute are assessed on the diversity factor such as number of students from other states of India, number of women students etc. The weightage for this metric is 0.10.

Perception – Institutes are also assessed for peer and public perception. The weightage accorded to perception of an institute for overall ranking is 0.10.

Delhi High Court stays neighbourhood criteria for nursery admissions

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By

Akash

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February 15, 2017

The Delhi High Court stayed AAP government’s mandate on the neighbourhood criteria for admissions at preprimary level, including nursery admissions. It is expected that the high court ruling is a boost to the autonomy enjoyed by private unaided schools.

Considering the private schools’ plea, deeming it as an unreasonable restriction, Justice Manmohan rejected state government’s argument that it was in public interest. “A student’s educational fate can’t be relegated to only his/her position on a map,” he said.

The neighbourhood concept as the sole criteria of admission is “arbitrary and discriminatory as it ensures to the benefit of certain parents and children,” whose entitlement to schools of their choice was diluted, the judge noted.

In their plea, the private schools said that the government order violates their fundamental right to run and administer institutes. The state government’s order limits schools’ autonomy over admissions in the 75% general category seats, while remaining 25% is already obligated towards economically weaker sections.

CBSE schools can order NCERT books online: HRD Ministry

By

Akash

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February 15, 2017

Now schools can place their order of NCERT books online by logging in to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) website. Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has issued a strategy to make the books available before the commencement of the academic session.

The link will be active from February 15, 2017 to February 22, 2017 and the requirement can be submitted only once.

In order to ensure an adequate supply of NCERT books for the schools affiliated to CBSE, Prakash Javadekar, Minister human resource and development chaired a meeting on February 14.

The move was prompted keeping in mind that NCERT syllabus is more oriented towards several national entrance examinations for medical, engineering and others competitive examinations. Last year, CBSE also gave a timid warning that the schools should stop forcing students to buy books from private publishers.

Around 35 percent of faculties short in IITs: RTI revealed

By

Akash

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February 15, 2017

An RTI revealed that around 35 per cent faculty positions are lying vacant in 23 Indian Institutes of Technology across the country.

The official reply by Union HRD ministry to the RTI filed by Neemuch-based activist Chandrashekhar Gaud said, “As against sanctioned strength of 7,744 teachers, 5,072 teachers are teaching 82,603 students in 23 IITs. This means 2,672 posts are lying vacant which is 35 per cent”. The breakup was given till October 1, 2016.

On the basis of RTI, Gaud said that the current teacher student ratio in IITs is 1:16 though these institutes are trying to achieve the 1:10 ratio.

Meanwhile, “Super 30” founder Anand Kumar said, “the government opened new IITs in the last couple of years in haste, but has failed to provide necessary infrastructure like laboratories etc. This is affecting the quality of these IITs, which in long term could affect the brand IIT at global level.”

Quoting the reply from the ministry, Gaud revealed that the old IITs too are affected by the shortage of teachers. He said, “In old IITs, 30 per cent posts of teachers are lying vacant at IIT Bombay, Delhi (35 percent), Guwahati (27 per cent), Kanpur (37 per cent), Kharagpur (46 per cent), Madras (28 per cent), Roorkee (45 percent) and IIT BHU (47 per cent)”.

Revolutionising Preschool Business

By

Akash

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February 14, 2017

There must be better policies, infrastructure and effective ways of communications for preschools to prepare the future leaders, says Swati Popat Vats, President, Podar Education Network and Early Childhood Association(India) in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN)

What according to you is the next big revolution required to change the education in Preschool Business?

The next big revolution of all Preschools would be more focus on play based curriculum and assessment rather than on heavy academics and testing. As the new education policy is soon going to come out, there will be more emphasis on preschools following the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Policy and curriculum. Along with this, if CBSE schools are moving towards no testing, no homework etc then naturally the preschools will also have to make a drastic difference in the way they function. The Early Childhood Association is aggressively pushing for equivalent quality standards of preschools, common teacher training program for ECE and common curriculum and assessments across India. This will elevate the quality of preschools in our country and help our country to align with the United Nations’ (UN) sustainable goals.

How Mobile Applications are useful in making communication between schools easier and better?

Mobile Applications eliminate the complications developed due to different platforms. An app installed on your phone allows you direct, instant and hassle free communication.

What importance does security of children hold in preschool space? What latest measures help making sure Preschool students are safe and parents informed about the wellbeing and progress of the kids?

Safety and security should be the top priority of every preschool. Even in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, safety and security is at the top. Most of the latest measures like GPS tracking and CCTV cameras do help in keeping parents informed about their kids.

What are the growth opportunities for preschool franchise and which regions of the country project growth for preschool franchise?

The growth opportunities that need to be tapped are mother-toddler programs, daycares and parenting programs. Regions that will grow are the tier 2 and tier 3 cities and towns.

How does preschools help in the growth of the children and what are the basic principles that a preschool shall adapt to have a successful institution?

98% brain of a person develops in the first five years, so preschools are instrumental in ensuring that this development is nurtured. Preschools can successfully do that if they focus on the development of the following essential skills-

Physical Strength
Language and Communication skills
Social skills
Emotional skills
Cognitive skills

For preschools to be a successful institution, they must have the following:

Trained teachers
A strong safety program for children
A play based curriculum that is founded on inquiry and project method
An assessment system that is linked to the curriculum
A good parent partnership and engagement programme

Roadmap for preschools to be a Global Brand

Interviews

By

Akash

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February 14, 2017

Preschools are required to enhance their teaching and learning methods by following global standards says Amar Kapasi, Co-founder & Director, Planet Kids Preschools in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

What do you see as the main challenges for Preschool education today?

The main challenges to early childhood education stem out of the fact that majority of the pre-schools are not well equipped to satiate the curiosities of the 21st century new-age learners. Most of the schools are still stuck with the ‘has worked-will work’ paradigm, not waking up to the fact that curriculum’s and learning need to be progressive.

What are the qualities that define the best Preschool?

A good pre-school will be one which will create a perfect mix of traditional pedagogies and integrate with that the latest technological trends which will help the children grow up to be pro-active learners. The vision of the Management team, the training imparted to the staff, the collaboration with the parents as an active part of the child’s growth will be the determining factors which will set aside a top class pre-school vis-a-vis the others.

What sets apart a Preschool from others?

Good curriculum, passionate faculty, standard infrastructure, new age teaching methodologies, integration of technology in teaching and collaborating with the parents in the learning process will certainly set apart a pre-school from the others. Also, how a pre-school is able to use social media platform to reach out to larger audiences and connect to parents with a view point of educating them on child development and discussing new trends in the industry world-over.

How do you think safety and comfort of toddlers can be ensured with modern-day furniture in Preschool?

Safety can be ensured with usage of natural wood against particle board or MDF quality furniture. Also furniture having no sharp edges is ergonomically designed to seat the children and also interestingly designed to create curiosity in the minds of the kids.

How much surveillance is vital in modern times in Preschools? What methods ensure this?

Surveillance is very important these days in the basic matter of safety measures especially after the untowardly incidents happening at various schools across the country. CCTV cameras and police verified employees are the basic measures which need to be taken to ensure that the children are in a safe environment. Also the staff need to be regularly sensitized about handling the children with utmost care and dignity. Even the children need to be educated about good and bad touch at an early age.

Surveillance in other matters also is required to maintain the trade secrecy and avoid plagiarism which has become very rampant in these times.

Which major e learning apps which are used in prechools today for learning?

Cat in the hat, Curious George and the firefighters, Doodle math, endless alphabet etc are the mobile applications which may help toddlers in learning.

What are the investment opportunities in the preschool space in the country?

There is a huge investment opportunity in the pre-school space in the country as the families with dual incomes; higher disposable income and slowly moving towards nuclear family phenomenon have tremendously increased. The spending power of people in tier-2 and tier-3 cities of the country has also shown the potential for this industry. Parents of today themselves are well educated and well travelled across the globe and hence will certainly always be on the lookout for schools which bring in global standards of operations as well as methodologies in the learning domain. The industry will only grow in leaps and bounds and there certainly will be a good demand for preschools that adhere to quality and are dynamic and progressive in their approach.

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