Kohima, March 4. Speaking at a function to mark the launch of digital education in 15 state government colleges, Nagaland’s chief minister Neiphiu Rio said Smart classrooms will improve the quality of education in the state and make teaching-learning interactive and engaging. 

Also speaking on the occasion, Temjen Imna Along, minister for higher education and tribal affairs, said Nagaland is the first state in North-east India to introduce Smart classroom technology in government-run colleges.

Punjab: MDM workers pay hike

Chandigarh, March 4. Punjab’s education ministry has proposed to raise the honorarium of mid-day meal workers from Rs.1,700 to Rs.3,000 per month, said education and public works department minister Vijay Inder Singla, responding to a question posed in the state legislative assembly.

Under the Central government sponsored mid-day meal scheme for government primary school children, a total of 42,205 cooks-cum-helpers work in primaries across the state preparing and distributing meals for 1.58 million children, Singla informed the House. This is the second time their honorarium had been raised since the Congress party was voted into office in the state in 2017, he added.

Odisha: Sexual abuse charge 

Jajpur (Odisha), March 9. A temporary teacher of a government upper primary school was arrested on charges of sexual abuse of two students in the Jajpur district after parents of the victims filed FIRs against him. 

The crime came to light when one of the girls narrated the incident to her parents. Curiously, the school management declined to respond to the parents’ protests prompting them to file a police complaint.

District education officer Krushna Chandra Nayak has ordered a thorough enquiry into the matter.

Himachal Pradesh: Fake degrees trove

Shimla, March 11. Himachal Pradesh police arrested Munish Goel, assistant registrar of the Manav Bharti University (MBU), Solan after three FIRs (first information reports) were filed against the varsity under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The charges include cheating, and issuing fake degrees, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur informed the legislative assembly.

Police also raided MBU’s affiliated Madhav University in Mount Abu and sealed its administrative complex after seizing 1,376 blank degree certificates, 14 stamps, four despatch registers, 50 migration certificates, 319 blank mark cards and several other documents, he added.

“The state police is probing the matter. Stringent action will be taken if any university is found selling fake degrees,” education minister Suresh Bhardwaj informed the house.

Gujarat: Abandoned answer papers scandal

Ahmedabad, March 18. Three bundles of unevaluated class X science subject answer scripts were found by a roadside near Virpur town in Rajkot district, A.J. Shah, chairman of the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, informed the media. The class X science exam was conducted by the state board on March 7.

Adressing the media, education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said: “I have ordered an urgent and thorough
investigation to find out whether more answersheets are missing. The probe will reveal whether this happened accidentally or deliberately. Strong action will be taken against those found responsible for this,” he added.

Jammu & Kashmir: Indian Army initiative

Jammu, March 1. Under its Operation Goodwill initiative, the Indian Army has established Smart class rooms in a government higher secondary school in Bagga village of Jammu’s Reasi district. The school makeover initiative includes complete conversion of two conventional classrooms into Smart classrooms, improvement of the school’s campus and procurement of books, stationery and learning aids. 

The inaugural event was attended by Army officials, the principal, teachers and students, says an army statement.

Haryana: Human rights violation enquiry

Ferozepur, March 13. Parents of girls studying at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Ferozepur district petitioned the State Human Rights Commission complaining the school lacks toilet facilities. This prompted
the education ministry to order an enquiry.

“Parents have alleged that there is no proper toilet facility in the school and girls are forced to use open spaces. This is a serious violation of the human rights of students as well as staff,” said the commission in a letter to the education ministry, seeking a report on the issue. “It has also been alleged that the conduct of the principal (who is male) is not dignified with the female staff and students and he uses abusive language,” added the commission’s letter.

Paromita Sengupta with bureau inputs