– Paromita Sengupta with bureau inputs

Delhi

Teachers Day Awards

New delhi, september 6. On the occasion of Teachers’ Day (September 5), President Draupadi Murmu conferred National Teachers Awards 2026 upon 48 school-teachers from 27 states, seven Union Territories and six organisations of the Central government, in recognition of their contribution to school education and literacy.

The President also presented awards to 21 faculty of higher education institutions (HEIs) and polytechnics. Among them were 12 faculty of Central HEIs, five from state universities, including three government and two private colleges and four from polytechnics.

Short documentaries on each awardee depicting the exemplary work done by them were showcased at the event.

Uttar Pradesh

Doubled stipend

Lucknow, august 25. Medical and dental students serving mandatory internships at government medical colleges, institutions and universities across Uttar Pradesh will now receive a monthly stipend of Rs.25,000, more than double the existing Rs.12,000.

The proposal to enhance the stipend was recently approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Earlier, the state government had raised the stipend from Rs.7,500 per month to Rs.12,000 in 2021. The latest increase is expected to provide greater financial security to MBBS and BDS interns while encouraging students undergoing clinical training at government medical institutions across the state.

Internship of a year’s duration is mandatory for students who successfully complete their MBBS or BDS examinations in Uttar Pradesh. During the internship, students acquire hands-on clinical experience by assisting doctors in treating patients. They also contribute to emergency services, hospital wards and outpatient departments, besides undertaking night duties.

Nagaland

Major restructuring initiative

Kohima, august 22. The Nagaland state government has commenced a major restructuring of government schools, including amalgamation and closure of low-enrolment institutions, creation of composite schools and rationalisation of teacher deployment.

“The School Education ministry has gathered the necessary data and will consult teachers, communities and other stakeholders before implementing reforms. Restructuring is aimed at improving enrolment, infrastructure, governance and the overall quality of public education,” said Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, School Education Advisor to the state government while addressing the Nagaland Government Higher Secondary School Employees Association.

“Composite schools, particularly where institutions are located within the same or nearby premises, will provide students continuity from elementary to higher secondary education and improve enrolment. Moreover, we will undertake emergency recruitment of graduate teachers in mathematics and science to address the shortage of subject teachers in government schools,” added Yhome.

Jharkhand

Popular headmaster

Garhwa, august 13. Students of a state-run school blocked an arterial road for seven hours in Garhwa district to protest the transfer of their headmaster Malay Kumar Singh. Recently, Singh was directed to report back to his parent institution, Lawahi Kala High School in the Dandai block of the district.

“Students did not want the headmaster to leave the school and staged a protest. Considering their demand, the department has decided not to send him back to his parent institution and allow him to continue serving on deputation at the Kandi Plus-2 High School,” said Garhwa District Education Officer Jagarnath Lohra, addressing a press conference. The students ended their protest after receiving this assurance.

Assam

Mizoram CM’s exhortation

Guwahati, august 5. Addressing postgraduate students at a student induction programme of Assam’s Royal Global University (RGU), Mizoram’s Chief Minister Lalduhoma urged students to cherish higher education as more than a pathway to academic qualifications. 

“Look beyond classrooms and examinations. The true purpose of higher education is to teach individuals how to think, not what to think. Universities have a responsibility that extends far beyond imparting academic knowledge. They must nurture a scientific temper, critical thinking, moral courage and a commitment to public service among young people,” said the chief minister.

Expressing happiness over the presence of students from Mizoram at RGU, the chief minister said they should serve as ambassadors of their culture while embracing the traditions of another state, thereby strengthening bonds among the northeastern states and reinforcing the ideals of national integration.

“Students from 28 countries are currently pursuing higher education at RGU,” added RGU chancellor A.K. Pansari.