UTTARAKHAND
Demolition order
Dehradun, september 15. School education minister Dhan Singh Rawat ordered demolition of all dilapidated school buildings in the state, a day after the ceiling of a toilet in a government primary school in Champawat district collapsed, killing an eight-year-old student and injuring three others.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said a district-wise survey will be conducted to identify all dangerous school buildings and they will be demolished.
“The school management is to blame for this incident as instructions to evacuate dilapidated school buildings are issued from time to time,” added Bansidhar Tiwari, director, school education.
MADHYA PRADESH
Molestation outrage
Bhopal, september 15. Sexual molestation of a three-year-old child inside a school bus in Bhopal has shaken the confidence of the people, said chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan following an emergency meeting of the cabinet. He directed officials to take stringent action against the accused and management of the private school.
“Parents send their children to a selected school because they have faith in the institution. It is the duty of school managements to ensure this trust is not broken. We can’t leave children to the mercy of barbarians,” said Chouhan.
The chief minister directed the officials to ensure police verification of employees and organise workshops to train staff as well as make parents and children aware of the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
MIZORAM
New campus impasse
Aizawl, september 16. Chief minister Zoramthanga briefed Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and apprised him of the need to improve education standards and establish additional higher education institutions in the state. According to a state government communique, the chief minister especially sought the Centre’s help to establish a new campus of Mizoram University (MZU) in south Mizoram’s Lunglei town.
Earlier state higher and technical education minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana informed the legislative assembly that the state government is ineligible to finance the construction of MZU’s southern campus because it is a Central government-funded university.
TRIPURA
Five new colleges
Agartala, september 16. Five new undergrad colleges including an English-medium college will be inaugurated in the new academic year, said Ratan Lal Nath, the state’s education minister. Of the five colleges, three will be promoted by the state government and two including a law college will be promoted privately. As a result the total number of undergrad colleges in the state will rise to 22.
“Tripura Central University has already granted affiliation to all these degree colleges including the two private colleges,” said the minister, addressing a media conference.
BIHAR
No-bags day
Patna, september 18. In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the state government is all set to introduce a ‘no school bags’ order and a mandatory weekly games period in public and private schools. An official notification will be issued soon, said Dipak Kumar Singh, additional chief secretary in the education ministry.
Addressing a press conference, Singh said: “The weekly ‘no-bag day’ will have task-based practical classes. At least once a week, students will come to schools only with their lunch boxes. The day will be devoted to practical and experiential learning.”
JAMMU & KASHMIR
Ambitious programme
Srinagar, september 19. Under an unprecedented initiative, K. Nazeer Ahmad Ganai, vice chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, announced admission of foreign students into the university’s undergrad postgraduate programmes and short skill courses.
“It’s the varsity’s mission to make Kashmir an education hub and not only to build capacity to attract students, but also send our students to premier institutions overseas. Kashmir offers adventure and agri-eco tourism as well as winter sports activities which will attract students from around the world,” said the vice chancellor, addressing the media
JHARKHAND
New APU campus
Ranchi, september 24. A partnership agreement was signed by the Jharkhand state government and Azim Premji Foundation (APF) to establish a Azim Premji University (APU) campus in Ranchi. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren and APF chairman Azim Premji in a video-conferenced ceremony.
The new campus will be in the city’s Itki area, and is likely to admit its first batch in July 2024.
“I believe the APU campus will raise standards of higher education in the state. Now meritorious students won’t have to migrate to other states for higher education,” said the chief minister, speaking on the occasion.
