STUDENT FIRST! News  
 

 

Weekly Update on Education (Issue No 212)

06 Nov 2012

Para Teachers end strike after meeting HRD Minister
Times of India, November 1st, 2012

The para teachers of the state, who have been on an indefinite strike since August 28, called off their agitation on Wednesday after a meeting with human resource development (HRD) minister Baidyanath Ram at his residence. More than 85,000 para teachers have been demanding job regularization, hike in honorarium and other facilities.

More [+]

Private schools drag their feet on Right to Education
Times of India, October 30th, 2012

The deadline for the registration of private schools under Right To Education (RTE) Act is fast approaching. But some schools in the city are not showing interest in being part of the movement. Under the Act, the schools have to reserve 25% of seats to students coming from economically backward classes and provide compulsory education till the completion of elementary education.

More [+]

CBSE, ICSE schools to stay away from Haryana strike
The Hindustan Times, October 28th, 2012

Private schools in the city affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) have decided against participating in the three-day strike by schools across Haryana, starting Monday. Opposing the implementation of Rule 134A under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the Private School Association of Haryana with 15,000 members schools had recently announced the statewide lockdown.

More [+]

RTE Act to be fully implemented by 2013
The Indian Express, November 3rd, 2012

The Right to Education Act will be fully implemented in the country by 2013, Union HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju said.

More [+]

Pallam Raju focus on moral education
The Hindu, November 2nd, 2012

The new Human Resource Development Minister, M. M. Pallam Raju, plans to focus on moral education in the curriculum to reinforce value systems in the younger generation. Talking to reporters after assuming office here on Wednesday, Mr. Raju also said he would reach out to “everybody” to build consensus on passage of pending Bills on higher education in Parliament.

More [+]

All is not well: Much ails schools in Punjab
The Tribune, November 2nd, 2012

The sad state of education in Punjab’s government schools is no secret. However, villagers resorting to pressure tactics to underline the shortage of teachers in a government school in Sangrur district does underscore the desperation of the parents desiring quality education for their children. Unfortunately, this is not the first time villagers have taken an extreme step of locking school gates. Rather, in Sangrur district, three similar incidents have happened in recent times. While the merits of this unusual method of protest can be debated, there is no denying the fact that the authorities couldn’t care less about the condition of schools.

More [+]

Obama’s second term promises in Education
The Washington Post, November 1, 2012

Here’s what a brochure put out by President Obama’s campaign says he will focus on in education during his next term, assuming he has one: President Obama’s plan for America’s future: Highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020 so we can compete and win in the 21st Century economy.

More [+]

New Policy to ensure optimal development of children: Tirath
The Hindu, October 30th, 2012

There is need to evolve an early childhood care and education (ECCE) policy that promotes optimal development and active learning capacity of children under six years, Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath said here Tuesday.

More [+]

Next Education conducts e- learning seminar for school principals
Kashmir Reader, November 6th, 2012

In a move to introduce digital technology and e-learning in schools, Next Education, an e-learning technology company, on Monday organised a seminar with the principal’s of various schools in this summer capital. In a seminar organised here at a local hotel, principals from various private schools were introduced to the E-Learning technology. “There is an advantage of using technology to empower schools to deliver effective teaching – learning in the digital classrooms of the future,” said Yog Raj, Assistant Vice President, Next Education.

More [+]

How Free is ‘Free’ primary education in India?
The Economic and Political Weekly, Volume 31 No. 6

Based on data generated by the National Sample Survey Organisation on household expenditures on education this paper shows that households spend large sums of money on acquiring primary education. More specifically, it has been found that studentsp ay tuitionf ee, examinationf ee and otherf ees even in governmentp rinary schools. Thef inancial and material incentives provided by the government arefound to be available only to a smallfraction of students. There are large scale inter-state and inter-group (by gender and by region - rural and urban) variations with respect to several aspects relating to public provision of incentives and also to the levels of household expenditure on education.

More [+]

SCHOOL CHOICE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Delivering Education: From Policy to Practice

04 December 2012
The Theatre, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India

Register Now!

Last chance to apply for ipolicy in 2012
ìpolicy for Young Professionals, New Delhi - 23-25 November 2012

Passivity cripples
Education is incomplete if the knowledge imparted is not empowered by the willingness to learn. Click here to read more

Primary Education in India
Reality of Indian Primary Education
To watch video click here

Poll

Should vocational training be made a part of primary education curricula?

To vote click here

RTE Coalition

To initiate and continue the discussion amongst concerned groups and individuals on the issue of right of education and monitor the implementation
of the RTE Act, an RTE Coalition has been formed. Join the coalition to make universal elementary education a reality in India.

Log on to www.righttoeducation.in
for more information

Skill Vouchers - Global Experiences and Lessons for India

Leah Verghese and Parth J Shah

A study of the role that skill vouchers can play in catalysing demand for quality skill development services. This study examines global experiences with skill vouchers and draws lessons for India from these experiences.

For more click here

Reservation in Private Schools under the Right to Education Act: Model for Implementation

Shekhar Mittal and Parth J Shah

Through this document the Centre for Civil Society seeks to highlight the lacunae in the current framework for 25% reservation for weaker and disadvantaged groups in unaided private schools and seeks to provide inputs on effective implementation of the same.

For more click here

School Vouchers for Girls

400 girl children from poor families of North East Delhi receive school vouchers for a period of 4 years.
For details visit our website

Support Children's Right to Education of Choice!
DONATE

For more details on how to support, log on to www.schoolchoice.in or email us at [email protected]

Join us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterWatch our Youtube Channel

Please write in with your feedback at [email protected]

Disclaimer: Copyright of the contents of this newsletter remains with the original author/publisher.