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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Counterfeit NCERT books deluge markets, officials caught off guard
The seizure of over 1.33 lakh (133,000) counterfeit NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) books worth ₹2 crore in Muzaffarnagar's Khatauli area on Monday has unravelled the growing menace of these pirated books in Uttar Pradesh as well as other Hindi- speaking states. The counterfeit books mimic NCERT textbooks in layout, price markings, and barcode design, clearly intended to mislead students, parents and education institutions. The piracy of NCERT textbooks results in substantial financial losses for the government. Besides, the substandard materials used in pirated books often pose health hazards to students. According to NCERT data, more than five lakh (500,000) copies of pirated textbooks, a huge quantity of printing paper and machinery worth more than ₹20 crore have been seized and 29 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against printers, warehouse owners and retailers of pirated textbooks in the past 14 months in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan and Bihar. The UP police arrested eight people after registering an FIR following the Muzaffarnagar raid. Uttar Pradesh minister for secondary education Gulab Devi said that she will take up the matter of counterfeit NCERT books recovered by police in Muzaffarnagar. 'We will surely and seriously take up the case and will report it to NCERT officials for action,' she said. A senior official of the U.P. secondary education department said counterfeit NCERT textbooks have grown multiple times in the recent years. He also said NCERT didn't have the capacity to meet the surging demand and failed to deliver textbooks for around 1.10 crore (11 million) students of Class 9 to 12 of government and government-aided schools in U.P. alone. 'So, we pay royalty to NCERT and self-print the textbooks required for UP board students and put U.P. board logos in these self-printed books for free distribution among students,' he said. 'Besides, the state has a demand for around 11.48 lakh more textbooks for students enrolled in private CBSE schools in UP,' said a CBSE official in the state. Former Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) chairman Ashok Ganguly observed, 'We have to streamline the entire process of publication of school textbooks and their timely availability. It is not possible for one organisation to ensure the publication of school textbooks pan India for all classes and their availability before the academic session. This limitation is often exploited by unscrupulous elements in the form of fake textbooks. NCERT neither has the strength nor capacity nor adequate resources to do this job in time.' He said it is better NCERT prepares the manuscript, puts it on their website and textbooks are printed by private players after paying royalty. NCERT , instead, must focus on their main agenda of research, training and empowerment of educators and teachers. 'In 2007, a committee was constituted by the government of India under the chairmanship of an IAS officer Sathyan to submit a report about streamlining of printing of textbooks for timely availability to schools. There were several other experts, including the then chairman of CBSE,' Ganguly added. Speaking over the phone, an NCERT spokesperson said the council has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards piracy of NCERT textbooks, which is a cognizable offence under the Copyright Act, 1957. He said the council has been actively working to combat the growing menace of pirated textbooks. 'NCERT has formed a committee to curb this piracy menace. The team also accompanied the Delhi police team and UP police during the recent seizures,' he stated. He said NCERT is working closely with state police forces to identify and apprehend those responsible for piracy. He said curbing the piracy of text books is crucial in protecting the integrity of education and ensuring that students have access to quality textbooks. The spokesperson added that introduction of a technology-based anti-piracy solution developed by IIT-Kanpur for NCERT textbooks has been piloted on 10 lakh copies of one title. It shall be scaled up to all titles in the next academic year, replacing the old watermarked paper, which has become redundant and is easily copied by pirates, he added. THE MUZAFFARNAGAR RAID The state police raided a Muzaffarnagar warehouse and seized over 1.33 lakh pirated NCERT textbooks worth over ₹2 crore, one truck, and two cars loaded with pirated textbooks, as well as a large number of printing plates. In continuation of this action, a printing press in Samalkha (Haryana) was raided. A large number of printing plates being used for printing pirated NCERT textbooks, copies of pirated textbooks, and machinery were seized. Further investigation is underway to identify the masterminds behind the racket of manufacturing, distributing, and selling pirated NCERT textbooks.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
‘Sugar boards' coming to schools: CBSE's push to fight students' diabetes risk
With most of the school canteens brimming with colas, chips, and candies, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) ) has rolled out a directive asking all affiliated schools to install 'sugar boards'—a step aimed at tackling the growing risk of Type 2 diabetes among children. In a move blending health education with visual awareness, over 26,000 CBSE schools across India have been instructed to display information on sugar content in everyday foods, its health risks, and alternatives to sugary snacks and drinks. Schools have been given a July 15 deadline to upload photographs of the boards as proof of compliance, a board official said in a missive to all the school principal. 'There is a clear link between the rise in diabetes cases among children and the easy availability of sugary snacks, soft drinks, and processed foods within school environments,' CBSE said in a letter to school principals. CBSE officials cited findings that children between 4 to 10 years derive around 13% of their daily calories from sugar, while those aged 11 to 18 years consume up to 15%, three times the recommended limit of 5%. The proliferation of sugary snacks, beverages, and processed foods, often readily available in school environments, contributes significantly to this excessive intake, said Praggya M Singh, director (academics), CBSE. These boards will include data on recommended daily sugar limits, sugar content in commonly consumed items, and long-term health consequences such as obesity, diabetes, and poor academic performance. The directive follows an appeal from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which urged CBSE to ensure the health rights of children, especially those from marginalised groups, are upheld through preventive measures in schools. Former CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly urged the board to embed such efforts into the core curriculum for lasting impact. 'We need to move beyond posters and ensure that health education is felt and internalised by students. The NEP 2020 already supports integrating physical and health education into all school levels,' Ganguly said. He suggested that CBSE develop supplementary material under a 'Frontline Curriculum' to further engage students in understanding the effects of sugar and nutrition. School principals in Lucknow expressed support for the initiative. 'We already conduct adolescent health sessions, and this move will help reinforce healthy eating habits,' said Meenakshi Bahadur, principal of Study Hall. 'A healthy mind resides in a healthy body. We fully support the initiative,' added Fr Paul Correa, principal of Cathedral Senior Secondary School.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rising RTE admissions amid stagnant reimbursement in U.P.
Although seat allotments for economically weaker section (EWS) children in Uttar Pradesh under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, have increased from 54 in 2013 to over 1.85 lakh this year, the state government has not revised reimbursement amount payable to private school per child ever since the Act was adopted in the state in 2013. The reimbursement amount in U.P. continues to be ₹5400 annually for the past 12 years or ₹450 pr month per child with an additional ₹5,000 provided to RTE students for purchase of books and uniform. In contrast, Delhi reimburses ₹26,800 annually per child while Gujarat reimburses ₹20,000. Tamil Nadu pays between ₹12,076 and ₹15,711, Uttarakhand pays ₹18,311, Andhra Pradesh reimburses between ₹5100 and ₹8,000 (rates vary based on locations like rural or urban area). Besides, Maharashtra reimburses ₹17,760 yearly, Rajasthan pays ₹14,141, Karnataka ₹11,848, Odisha ₹9184 and Chhattisgarh ₹7,650. 'Govt has no plans to revise reimbursement amount' Additional chief secretary, basic and secondary education, U.P., Deepak Kumar said, 'Hike or revision in reimbursement to private schools under RTE is nowhere on the agenda of the state government as of now. We have improved the infrastructure in government institutions and we encourage EWS students to seek admission in government institutions.' Govt must revise reimbursement amount: Expert There is a growing demand that the U.P. government must revise reimbursement to private schools. Former CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly said, 'Yes, this needs immediate revision. U.P. has one of the lowest reimbursement amounts in the country. That could be one of the reasons why the private schools are reluctant to take admission under this category.' 'This is more so significant because the NEP now talks of universalisation of secondary education,' Ganguly added. Pvt school assn for substantial revision Anil Agarwal, president, Unaided Private Schools' Association, U.P., said, 'In U.P., reimbursement amount for RTE is only 450 per month and it is not as per the RTE Act that mandates that the government should pay at par with its expenses incurred for a child in government schools.' 'This amount should be around ₹ 3500 per month because according to the RTE Act, the amount spent per student in a government school or the fee of the private school, whichever is less, will be paid to the private schools as reimbursement and government can check the expenditure incurred in government schools, but no one listens,' Agarwal claimed. How districts have performed Of the total 1.85 lakh seat allotment under the RTE Act, 1.06 lakh children were enrolled in private schools across Uttar Pradesh this year. So far, nearly 80,000 economically weaker section students have not got admission in private schools despite completing all formalities and prescribed rules laid by the government. Even in districts like Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur Nagar, Agra and Gorakhpur, barely 60% admission were done under RTE and in many cases it is far below 50%. Director general, school education, U.P., Kanchan Verma said, 'We will try to push for further enrolment.' Another education department official said, 'It's heartening to see such strong momentum in RTE admissions this year.' 'With close to 60% confirmed admissions already by early May, I am confident that 100% enrolment can be achieved by July. Starting the application process early — from December itself — was a critical step that allowed the system to move faster and more efficiently this year,' she added. 'Ballia, Bulandshahr, Saharanpur and Shamli have done quite well this year. The state capacity for admissions is almost thrice and with this momentum, I am sure it's a matter of few years. The progress we are witnessing today is the result of consistent groundwork — mobilising parents, strengthening government processes, and nurturing a strong culture of accountability for children's right to education,' said Samina Bano, the founder of RightWalk Foundation that is actively involved in pushing admission of EWS kids under the RTE. 'We remain fully committed to seeing every eligible child in school this year,' she added.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
54 in 2013 to 1.85L in 2025:Growing numbers, success stories in U.P. strengthen case for RTE extension
: The Right to Education (RTE) Act, which had a slow start in Uttar Pradesh in the initial years, is now bearing fruit, both in terms of the number of students enrolled under this law and the results showing that even children from the economically weaker sections can excel if they are given the right support. Over the years, admissions under the RTE Act have gone from strength to strength in Uttar Pradesh. Enacted by the Centre in 2009, the Act was adopted in the state in 2013 but the numbers started picking up in 2015. Guaranteeing free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years, this law ensures that children have the right to quality elementary education, free from fees or other barriers. In 2013 and 2014, 54 children each from the economically weaker sections (EWS) got admission under the RTE in Uttar Pradesh. The numbers became much more robust in 2015 when there were 4200 admission under the same Act in the state. Ten years later in 2025, the admissions under the RTE swelled to 1,85,664 in U.P. Though benefits under RTE Act do not go beyond Class 8 at present, the rising numbers and the success of select students has strengthened the demand to extend the application of the law till Class 12. As per rules, 25% of the total seats at the entry level class at the recognised unaided private schools are to be kept for EWS children. However, all minority schools in the state are exempted from RTE. According to an estimate, there are 6.5 lakh seats under RTE in Uttar Pradesh every year. But many a times, private schools deny admission to EWS kids, citing different reasons. RTE is largely a Union government scheme with the Centre bearing 60% of the expenses and the state government contributing the remaining 40%. The state reimburses fees to private schools for children who get admission under the RTE Act. The Union government, in turn, reimburses the state exchequer. For the academic year 2024-25 that concluded in March, the state government reimbursed ₹216 crore to schools and extended financial aid to children to buy textbooks and uniform. The Union government sanctioned ₹179 crore as reimbursement for the same period. Ashok Ganguly, former CBSE chairman and member of the steering committee for implementing NEP in Uttar Pradesh, said, 'Like the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) girls given further extension of their education covering the secondary sector, the RTE children must also be given the benefit of education to the entire spectrum of school education up to Class 12. There is no point in putting them to any disadvantageous position after Class 8.' 'Actually, private schools should come out openly in extending further benefits beyond Class 8 like the corporate social responsibility. But given the consumerist tendencies prevailing, there is no alternative to amending RTE Act in this regard,' Ganguly said. Additional chief secretary, secondary education, Deepak Kumar said since there is no provision for free education (under the RTE Act) after Class 8, such children who want to pursue secondary level education should seek admission in government inter colleges where the infrastructure has been strengthened and in many cases is at par with the private schools in terms of classrooms, labs and sports grounds. SUCCESS STORIES: RTE HELPS THEM REAP RICH REWARDS Arti Kashyap and Suhani (uses one name) scored 90% and 81% respectively in their Class 10 ICSE examinations, the result of which was declared on April 30. These two students have proved that even children belonging to EWS can excel provided they get the right opportunity and financial support. While Arti aspires to be chartered accountant, Suhani wants to be a management consultant after doing MBA from one of the IIMs. Arti and Suhani got admission in private schools under the RTE Act in 2015 after a Supreme Court verdict. An NGO engaged in helping EWS children seek admission in private schools fought for their cause. The NGO supported many such kids and bore financial expenses of the legal battle, which was necessitated by a few private schools denying admission under RTE Act, citing various reasons. Both these children went to popular private schools in the state. Just a decade ago, doing so would have been unimaginable for them. Aarati went to Rani Laxmibai Senior Secondary School and Suhani to the City Montessori School in Lucknow. After Class 8, Arti switched to Career Convent and Suhani continued her Class 9 and 10 education at CMS. As RTE mandates free education from Class 1 to 8 only, it seemed their quest for secondary education in private institutions would remain a distant dream in view of their financial situation but good Samaritans ensured their dreams would endure. 'The law covered our education only till Class 8. On the call of this NGO, a few good Samaritans and the corporate sector came forward as some of the RTE kids completed Class 8 with a good academic record. We were lucky as our education was funded so we continued to study in Class 9, 10,' said Arti and Suhani who made use of the financial support extended to them and passed the Class 10 boards with flying colours. The duo will now pursue Class 11 and 12. 'We knew the journey couldn't end there. We launched #RTEScholarsFund to support the most meritorious and hardworking children beyond Grade 8 — and ensure they didn't fall through the cracks. Today, as we see their results, we feel prouder than words can express. This — not awards, not applause — this is the real #reward. This is why we fight. This is what makes every battle worth it,' said Samina Bano, founder and CEO of Rightwalk Foundation. Arti recalled, 'When I was enrolled at RLB in Class 1, I found it difficult to cope with English because my parents only speak Hindi. After that with the guidance of teachers, I was able to understand the language and scored 90 in English.' Suhani said, 'I was lucky to get support. But there are many more poor kids who don't get the opportunity. The government must help all such children.'
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Schools refusing to promote pupils of Classes 6, 7 violation of RTE: Parents
NEW DELHI: Parents and activists have alleged that several prominent schools in the national capital allegedly held back students in classes 6 and 7, in stark violation of the Right to Education Act (RTE) of 2009. The Ministry of Education's Department of School Education and Literacy notified guidelines on 'Examination and Holding Back in Certain Cases' in December 2024, after the 2019 amendment to RTE Act. Educationist and advocate Ashok Agarwal, president of the All India Parents' Association (AIPA), said, 'The amended rules allow schools to detain students in classes 5 and 8 only, that toom after giving them additional opportunity for re-examination within two months from the date of declaration of results. There was no detention policy till Class 8 before the amendment. However, the government revised the act to include a provision for detention in Class 5.' Several parents complained over the issue, alleging that schools asked their children to either repeat a year in classes 6 or 7, or take a school-leaving certificate. 'My son is in Class VI and we have been told that if he does not clear the re-exam scheduled in May, he will not be promoted to the next class. But norms say that students cannot be detained in classes other than 5 and 8. My son couldn't score well due to bad health this year,' a Gurugram-based parent said. According to Ashok Ganguly, former chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education, the RTE Act, the National Education Policy, and the National Curriculum Framework prohibits any school from refusing promotion to a student in classes 6 and 7. Amendment enables schools to hold back Class 5, 8 students In December 2024, the Centre had amended the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Rules, 2010, giving state governments power to conduct regular exams for students in classes 5 and 8, with the provision to hold them back if they fail. This marked a departure from the long-standing 'no-detention' policy, a cornerstone of the educational framework since the enactment of Right to Education Act in 2009.
