Himachal Pradesh
Show-cause notices
Shimla, June 25. The state’s education ministry is set to issue show-cause notices to teachers of schools affiliated with the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education in which the pass percentage of class X students has fallen below 25.
“The notices solicit explanation from teachers regarding unsatisfactory academic outcomes. A thorough examination of the class X board results across affiliated schools has revealed that 116 institutions reported pass rates lower than 25 percent, with 30 schools recording an alarming zero percent pass rate,” said Ashish Kohli, Director of Elementary Education, addressing a press conference. The issuing of notices will commence promptly, he added.
Meanwhile the education ministry has initiated the process of recruiting 1,122 Junior Basic Training and 1,027 Trained Graduate Teachers who will undergo a comprehensive 15-day induction training program in District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) centres to familiarise them thoroughly with the prescribed syllabus and pedagogies, said Kohli.
Tamil Nadu
First AI degree program
Chennai, June 11. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras has launched the country’s first Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics B.Tech degree programme starting in the current academic year (2024-25). The first batch of 50 students for this programme will become eligible through the IIT-JEE selection process.
The study programme will be administered by IIT-M’s Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, funded by an endowment of Rs.110 crore by Sunil Wadhwani, an alum and co-founder of IT multinationals IGATE and Mastech Digital. “The programme aims to cultivate expertise in data science and offers a panoramic view of its applications across industries,” said IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti, addressing a media conference.
Arunachal Pradesh
Cell phone suicide
Itanagar, June 26 A class X student allegedly took his own life a day after being asked to leave school for using a mobile phone on campus. The body of 15-year-old Chirang Kri was found hanging from a tree near his school in Anjaw district. Chirang’s family filed a complaint against the principal and hostel warden at Hayuliang police station, demanding an investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Briefing the media, Superintendent of Police Rike Kamsi said that Chirang, who lived in the school hostel, was caught using a mobile phone on campus, which is prohibited by school rules. Therefore, the school management had asked his father to withdraw him from the institution. Following a meeting with the school management, Chirang was granted permission to continue his studies.
However on June 23, Chirang went missing. His body was found the next day. A suicide note in his pocket apologised for using the mobile phone and asked for forgiveness.
The school’s principal T.M. Sathian, described the incident as “very unfortunate” and clarified that Chirang had been granted pardon and allowed to continue his studies in school. Therefore, the reason for Chirang’s extreme reaction remains unknown.
Assam
New IIM approved
Guwahati, June 2. The Centre has approved establishment of a greenfield Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Marabhita, Kamrup district near Guwahati.
Addressing a press conference, chief minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma said: “The state government has offered land and logistics support for the new B-school which will be mentored by IIM-Ahmedabad. This will be a game changer for Assam, making the state an education hub in eastern India, and will also help fulfill the economic aspirations of the people.”
According to Sarma, Guwahati is among the few cities in India to host an IIT, AIIMS, National Law University and now an IIM.
Delhi
Green light for biannual admission
New Delhi, June 11. Indian universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) will now be allowed to admit students into study programmes twice a year — July-August and January-February — from the new academic year 2024-25.
“If Indian universities offer admission twice a year, it will benefit students who missed admission to a university in the July-August session due to delay in announcement of board results, health issues, or personal reasons. Corporates can also do campus recruitments twice a year, improving employment opportunities for graduates,” said Prof. Jagadesh Kumar, chairman of UGC, the apex higher education regulatory authority.
According to Kumar, if Indian HEIs adopt the biannual admission cycle, they can enhance international collaborations and student exchanges. “As a result, our global competitiveness will improve, and we will align with global educational standards.” However, it is not mandatory for universities to offer biannual admissions, he clarified.