Saturday, January 3, 2026
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 891

Pune institutes to educate students on space science

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

Space ScienceWith the Mars orbiter launched under the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) or Mangalyaan about to reach its destination on September 24, educational institutes across Pune are taking this opportunity to build interest among city students about astronomy. In a collaboration, Vijnana Bharati and Jyotirvidya Parisanstha along with Fergusson College, recently organised a three-day seminar to discuss astronomy, MOM and career opportunities for students at the college.

In this context, Professor Suresh Naik, former General Director ISRO said, “The seminar is open to students as well, wherein they can get insights about the Mangalyaan mission, which will soon reach its defining moment, as the orbiter soon enters Mars orbit.”

He further added that this is India’s first mission to Mars. Russia has failed numerous times trying to send a satellite to the planet. Even China and Japan have failed. The scientists at ISRO studied the reasons for their failures and designed the orbiter accordingly. Hence students will be educated about the significance of this mission in the seminar. The seminar will begin on September 24.

Rescheduling of exams on cards for Maharashtra schools and colleges

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

Maharashtra Board1Examinations scheduled by schools, colleges and the state board in Maharashtra may see a rescheduling in view of the elections in the state. With the Election Commission of India (EC) having declaring October 15 as the election date for Maharashtra, authorities said that if schools, colleges and state board have scheduled any examination on the dates mentioned by EC, then they would have to reschedule it.

The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Education (MSBSHSE) have their September/ October board examination for HSC repeater students on October 15, while the SSC exams will be over by 11 October. Thus, the schools will now have to finish their semester exams before the polls begin. Meanwhile, the Mumbai University is expected to release their exam time-table soon.

“There are two papers of HSC scheduled on 15th October and we are working on the schedule and will declare it soon,” said MSBSHSE Chairperson G K Mhamane. Dinesh Bhonde, Controller of Examination of Mumbai University, said, “Though we were ready with the examination dates for the students of degree college, but we withheld it since the date of elections were not declared. There were 12 examinations that were to commence from October 14 and 16. We did not kept any paper on October 15. But since the election work will take place on Oct 14 and 16, the exams will have to be rescheduled.”

No affiliation to new colleges in 2015-16: Mumbai University

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

university of MumbaiMumbai University has announced in its perspective plans that it will not grant affiliation to any new college in the 2015-16 academic year. According to a senior university official, “Since, handling huge number of colleges is becoming difficult for the university; thus, the perspective plan says there will be no new colleges in the coming academic session.”

According to the plan document, there are over 700 colleges that are affiliated to Mumbai University and are in need for skill-based programmes in the existing institutes to make students employable. However, this will need the approval of the academic council and the university senate.

The state government had appointed three committees of higher education in 2010, of which one was meant to look at the sub-division of universities. Thus, identifying the need for sub-division of big universities, the committee has recommended that Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur universities should immediately have a main campus or campuses in the suburbs and districts.

The plan document clearly states: “A large number of students and affiliated colleges have a huge administrative workload and evaluation functions, as a result of which there is a lowering of standard in terms of level of curriculum, their relevance of higher education, quality and standards. Thus, the basis for sub-division is for the need of quality and relevance of higher education, both for PG and UG courses.”

MU academicians further asserted that the National Knowledge Commission had suggested having one university for every 150 affiliated colleges and that the state government needed to seriously consider such recommendations.

Azim Premji says 20 percent of teachers not sincere

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

Azim PremjiSpeaking at the annual convocation of the Azim Premji University (APU), Chancellor Chairman Azim Premji lamented on the problems that faced education. He said of the nearly 6 million teachers, twenty percent were not sincere and committed, 60 percent were willing to learn, while the reamining 20 percent were committed.

Premji extolled students to go to rural areas and work to develop the education sector. “There’s a need for deeply committed teachers. At times, government schools in rural areas are better than private schools,” he said.

“Improving public education is the responsibility of the government and we are also working in collaboration with various state governments. Transforming education is a very complex task, given the diversity of our country, compounded by issues of socio-economic deprivation and other ground realities. Citizens should also help the government,” Premji said.

Premji also said there was an acute lack of quality higher education to prepare people to work in the education and social sectors. India is investing only 3 percent of its GDP in education, while countries like Finland invest 8 percent of the GDP. He said India needed to invest at least 4-6 percent of the GDP.

Applauding the graduates of APU, Premji said, “70 percent of the graduates from the first batch of APU are working with NGOs in rural areas and they are not attracted to high salaries in the city.”

Kodaikanal International School to use campus for experiential learning

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

Kodaikanal International SchoolKodaikanal International School (KIS), plans to put its campus near Palani Hills for academic purposes. It plans to set up an experiential learning centre on the campus for research on environment and an outdoor campus experience.

“It is the school’s new mission to provide for a healthy planet and our commitment to the ecologically important Palani Hills,” said school principal Corleigh Stixrud. “Students can speak to local farmers on the effects of climate change, learn about the flora and fauna and we will invite experts to carry out work on environmental issues.”

This 92-acres of wilderness, which is currently used by students for hiking and camping, will soon be open for middle and high school students as a good four-month outdoor residential programme.

A curriculum has already been drafted, and children are most likely to be cut off from the internet and only work in natural settings. “We will also open it for other schools and students or any group that is interested in studying the environment,” said chairman Anil Henry.

Thane schools give self-defence classes to students

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

Self-defenceIn order to protect children against crime committed against them, schools in Thane have started giving self-defence lessons to help them during emergencies.

Thane has seen a nearly 100 percent rise in kidnapping cases between 2011-2013.

To counter the threat, some city schools are equipping students in self-defense techniques. With lessons in martial arts to counseling, children are being trained to handle emergencies confidently.

Apurva Wadikar, a self-defense professional said that There are some situations where quick thinking can save you from trouble. “We have designed the training in such a way that youngsters can confidently deal with a challenge,” she said.

A resident said it is a good thing that schools have taken up such an initiative. ” Going by what is happening around, it is a good move by schools to include self-defense lessons in their curriculum,” he said.

Chandigarh to teach music, dance in government schools

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

ChandigarhThe Chandigarh Administration has started teaching music and dance during the hobby classes in the Government schools in Chandigarh city. The aim is to teach music to the underpriviledged students. Starting out with 12 schools in 2013 on an experimental basis, the success of the exercise has encouraged the administration to extend the exercise to other schools too.

More than 2,000 students from 35 Government schools have enrolled in hobby classes to learn classical dance, classical music, instruments, folk music and dance so far.

Speaking on the initiative, Amandeep Kaur, Director, culture, said, “We started this exercise on an experimental basis last year, but received exceptional results. From this year, we have decided to spread the idea as much as possible in most city schools. Financial grants have been given to schools to buy musical instruments and other infrastructure, so that we can encourage talented children”. Sources said the cultural wing of the UT has kept aside a special fund of Rs 80 lakh to buy all kinds of instruments and payment of resource persons teaching in schools.

The Chandigarh Administration has formed a special group comprising of vice-principal and head of the instrumental music and dance department and an associate professor of one of the Government Schools to look into the matter.

Google Launches Digital India Initiatives

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

Global search giant Google Inc has joined hands with Indian government to promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious Digital India programme by launching a nationwide contest for developing a mobile application for the PM’s office.

“MyGov, the citizen engagement platform of the Government and Google are collaborating to launch a nationwide contest to develop a mobile app for the PM’s Office,” Google said in a statement.

Google said the mobile app will bring the PMO to every citizen and the contest will showcase how Indians can build a world class application.

Digital India programme is focused on increasing high-speed Internet connectivity across the country, introducing digital classrooms, building smart cities, providing online delivery of services through the integration of government departments, and introducing online visas.

Google will run a series of initiatives, which include collaboration with the government’s new citizen engagement platform, www.mygov.in.

Commenting on the joint initiative, RS Sharma Secretary, Department of Information Technology said, “The Digital India programme has been launched with the vision of transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It can truly transform India and bring it on par with other developed countries.”

Google India Vice President and Managing Director Rajan Anandan said India is already home to the third largest number of Internet users globally with 245 million users as of June 2014 and is on track to become the second largest user market by 2015 and a 500 million-user market by 2016.

“Yet, there are more than a billion people who will need to be brought online for India to realise the vision of a digitally connected, knowledge economy. Prime Minister Modi’s Digital India programme will play a transformational role in achieving this,” Anandan added

To support the Prime Minister’s vision, Google will run a number of initiatives which also include programmes such as helping women get online, getting Indian SMEs online and showcasing India’s rich heritage and culture online which will further promote the digital empowerment of citizens.

Google is also engaged building a vibrant language ecosystem online and help the government transition into the increasingly ‘mobile’ India.

To encourage digital literacy and Internet safety, Google is also introducing curriculum for schools, officials and elected representatives.

Google is working with the Department of Information Technology and other state governments to develop these initiatives.

IIT-Bombay begins Lectures in Bengali

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay has introduced computer program lectures in Bengali for first year B Tech students who are mainly from the interiors of West Bengal and lack English proficiency.

After Hindi and Marathi, this is the third vernacular being used for special instruction, albeit informal, at the institute. The idea of Hindi and Marathi lectures was started a few years ago by professor D B Phatak of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Bengali was included in the informal initiative this year after professor Supratik Chakraborty of the same department offered to teach students in the language.

Initially, 60-70 students from a batch of 570 signed up for the extra coaching in regional languages. “After a couple of sessions, more students are showing interest,” said Chakraborty.

Rajasthan eyes major changes to RTE Act

By
digitalLEARNING Network
-

Vasundhra RajuThe Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in Rajasthan is in plans to bring two major amendments to the Right To Education (RTE) Act. These changes include reintroducing exams in at least three classes from Class I to VIII, and giving more importance to “learning outcomes” than to physical infrastructure of schools while deciding on their recognition or registration.

Parents are learnt to have suggested that a complete ban on exams till class VIII was not in the best interest of the child. Accordingly, the state is considering evaluations in classes III, V and VIII.

The second significant change stresses on giving more weightage to “learning outcomes” of schools than on hardware such as school buildings, playgrounds etc. Here, the Rajasthan government has taken note of the closure of a large number of private schools in several other states because they could not manage the RTE-mandated physical infrastructure requirement.

The Centre for Civil Society estimates that at least 34.94 lakh children have been affected with 19,414 schools across 17 states having been closed or issued notice for closure for not fulfilling the norms related to infrastructure and teacher salaries. The state is now in plans to restrict the weightage on infrastructure and other inputs to 30 per cent or less, and instead focus on absolute, relative (compared with previous year) and scholastic learning outcomes.

1...890891892...1,755Page 891 of 1,755

LATEST NEWS

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

© Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.