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Weekly Update on Education

5 November 2008


Cabinet nod likely for 2,500 model govt schools
Indian Express, 5 November 2008

“The UPA Government’s promise to create model schools in the backward blocks of the country is finally set to be fulfilled with the HRD Ministry’s school building mission likely to get Cabinet approval this week. While the state Government and the Centre will run 2,500 such schools, another 2,500 will be built on public private partnership.” More [+]


Using mobiles to impart education
The Economic Times, 30 October 2008

“Taking forward its motto of "Education anywhere and anytime", the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will soon impart students capsule courses on dance, music, art, public health and other subjects through mobile phones.” More [+]


Education sector poised to attract FDI
The Economic Times, 31 October 2008

“By the end of fiscal 2009, education sector will have received total FDI of Rs 1,000 crore. Investors from US, Middle East and EU still believe in India’s long term growth potential and they are on the lookout for right entities to invest in,” said Sunil Shirole, managing director, YEN Management Consultants, who is instrumental in striking such deals and was recently on a world tour to meet investors to gauge their sentiment.” More [+]


Moily panel wants agency for professional education
Busines Standard, 5 November 2008

“The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) has recommended creation of a special agency to look after professional education, taking away powers of the existing regulatory bodies. Whether this also means these bodies should be taken out of the HRD ministry’s purview is not spelt out.” More [+]


Foreign Technological Universities
Press Information Bureau, 4 November 2008

“According to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), it has received 56 proposals from Indian education providers to conduct technical education programmes in collaboration with Foreign Universities/Institutions.” More [+]


Indian universities need quality boost for global ratings: Experts
The Times of India, 31 October 2008

“India has to invest more in quality staff and research for its higher education institutions to make a mark worldwide, according to British higher education experts.” More [+]


‘Colleges not eager to seek autonomy’
The Times of India, 2 November 2008

“NAGPUR: Even though the state government has relaxed norms for educational institutions seeking autonomy, only a handful of colleges seem interested. According to the director of higher education R V Kirdak, this is a disturbing trend and the directorate must find out the reasons behind it. "It is disappointing that despite relaxation of rules, enough institutions are not coming forward to seek autonomy.”” More [+]


East Delhi schools oppose fee hike demand by city public schools
Expressindia, 30 October 2008

“A group of schools in East Delhi are opposing the fee hike proposed for private, unaided schools across the Capital. They fear a large number of students will drop out if the fees are raised.” More [+]


Edu Bill: A few more hurdles to overcome
The Times of India, 3 November 2008

“After a three-year wait, the Union cabinet has finally cleared the Right to Education Bill, a evolutionary piece of legislation that aims to change the face of education in India. But whether the Bill will be passed in parliament before the elections is a million dollar question. If it is not passed, it will lapse and the next government will have to re-introduce the Bill from scratch.” More [+]


Old Model RTE Bill, 2008
Education World, 7 October 2008

“While it’s commendable that the government of India is looking for new ways to tackle the country’s primary education deficit, it is doubtful that the Right to Education Bill 2008 is the initiative which will lead to the provision of quality primary education to the children of India. There’s an urgent need to look for creative and innovative approaches to fulfil the promise of quality education to the next generation.” More [+]


CAG Midday Meal Scheme Report

The Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) said in its performance audit on national programme for nutritional support to primary education (Midday Meal Scheme) that the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has failed in proper assessment, internal controls, monitoring, data collection, punctual release of funds and ensuring proper infrastructure in schools implementing the scheme.
CAG Performance audit on national programme for nutritional support to primary education (Midday Meal Scheme)

Percentage Distribution of Teachers Received In-Service Training (Including Para-Teachers) (Elementary Education - All Schools)

All states average
Urban: 19.71
Rural: 37.87

Worst performing states
Urban: 0.31 (Rajasthan)
Rural: 0.3 (Rajasthan)

Best performing states
Urban: 59.5 (Kerala)
Rural: 79.93 (Gujarat)

DISE Data, Elementary Education in Rural India, Analytical Tables 2006-07
DISE Data, Elementary Education in Urban India, Analytical Tables 2006-07

 
 
 


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