Latest news with #Enrolment
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Biometric enrolment for Myanmarese, Bangladeshi refugees underway in Mizoram
Aizawl, The biometric enrolment of over 34,000 people from Myanmar and Bangladesh, who took refuge in Mizoram, is underway, officials said on Thursday. Biometric enrolment for Myanmarese, Bangladeshi refugees underway in Mizoram The Serchhip and Lunglei administrations began the enrolment drive in their respective districts on Wednesday, while east Mizoram's Champhai district authorities started the collection of biometric and demographic details of Myanmar refugees on Thursday, they said. Serchhip district's Nodal Officer for Foreigners Identification Portal and Biometric Enrolment, Vanthangpuia told PTI that biometric enrolment was conducted for Myanmar refugees who took shelter in Chanmari locality in Serchhip town. Sixteen people were enrolled in the Foreigner Identification Portal during the exercise held at Chanmari village council house on Wednesday, he said. The enrolment drive will resume on August 4 and is scheduled to be completed by September 22 within the Serchhip district, the official said. The exercise will be carried out twice a week, and those who are out of station due to important work or students who studied in other places will be enrolled in separate phases, he said. The refugees need not panic as the enrolment is meant solely for identification and not for the purpose of deportation, the official said. According to Vanthangpuia, Serchhip currently hosts 647 Myanmarese nationals, including 299 children, across 30 villages and localities. Besides, 266 Bangladeshis, including 47 children, also took shelter in Thenzawl town in Serchhip district, he said. Most refugees stay in rented houses, he said. Lunglei District Additional Deputy Commissioner Zoramdini said that the local administration also began the collection of biometric and demographic details of 1,991 Myanmarese and 73 Bangladeshi refugees taking shelter in the southern district of Mizoram. The drive was carried out at a relief camp on Wednesday during which 10 refugees were enrolled, she said, adding that the exercise could not be conducted smoothly due to poor connectivity, she said. Another official also said that Champhai district, which hosts the maximum number of refugees, has begun the enrolment drive on Thursday. According to the state home department, more than 32,000 Myanmar refugees are currently taking shelter across all 11 districts of Mizoram, with Champhai hosting the highest at 13,586. The number, however, keeps changing almost on a daily basis as some of them have a habit of going to their country and coming back to Mizoram, the officials said. The home department also said that over 2,000 Bangladeshi nationals from the Chittagong Hill Tracts are staying in the state. These Myanmar nationals, mostly from the Chin state of the neighbouring country, came to Mizoram, following a military coup there in February 2021, while many people from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts came to the state after a military offensive against an ethnic insurgent group in 2022. The Chins in Myanmar and the Bawm tribe of Bangladesh share close ethnic ties with the Mizos of Mizoram. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Biometrics of displaced people of Myanmar, Bangladesh living in Mizoram to be recorded
The biometrics of displaced people from Myanmar and Bangladesh taking shelter in Mizoram will be recorded, officials said on Saturday (July 19, 2025). Training of officers is being held across the state for the exercise, which is expected to begin at the end of July, they said. Recording of biometric and demographic details will be conducted online, using the foreigners' identification portal, they said. However, offline mode may also be used as many of these displaced people live in rural areas where there is poor internet connectivity, they added. In a statement, the government said training on the 'Foreigners Identification Portal and Biometric Enrolment' for displaced persons from Myanmar and Bangladesh was held on Friday (July 18, 2025) in Lunglei. The session organised by the Lunglei District Level Committee on Myanmar & Bangladesh Refugees (DLCMBR) aimed to sensitise and equip officers for proper identification and enrollment of displaced people, it said. Formation of 10 biometric enrolment teams Lunglei's Additional SP K Beihmotaosa briefed the officers on steps taken so far, including the formation of 10 biometric enrolment teams and equipment requisition from the Home Department. The enrollment drive is set to begin this month, starting with Ramthar Camp and expanding to eight other camps in the district, it said. A total of 27 team members were trained by master trainers through practical and interactive sessions during the event, the statement said. Officials said that similar trainings are being held in other districts as well. According to the Home Department, more than 32,000 Myanmar nationals are presently staying in Mizoram's 11 districts. The number, however, keeps changing almost on a daily basis as some of them have a habit of going to their country and coming back to Mizoram, officials said. The Home Department also said that 2,371 Bangladeshi nationals from the Chittagong Hill Tracts are staying in the state. In addition, more than 7,000 Zo ethnic people from Manipur, displaced by ethnic violence, have taken shelter in the state. The Myanmar nationals, mostly from Chin state, fled to Mizoram following a military coup in the neighbouring country in February 2021, while the asylum seekers from Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts came to the state after a military offensive against an ethnic insurgent group in 2022. The Chins in Myanmar, the Bawm tribe of Bangladesh and the Kuki-zo people from Manipur share close ethnic ties with the Mizos.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Rejuvenating state public universities
It is a matter of gratification that the State Public Universities (SPUs), which are fighting for their survival from the onslaught of deemed and private universities, received the attention of the NITI Aayog and prepared a policy report (February 2025) titled 'Expanding Quality Higher Education Through States and State Public Universities'. The report listed 57 key challenges in the four major areas of quality funding, governance and employability. It duly acknowledged the significant role played by the SSPUs. SPUs are predominant in the university system of higher education. According to the All India Survey of Higher Education report, there are 445 SPUs as against only 53 central universities. By virtue of a policy shift at the Central and state levels, a new breed of institutions classified as deemed and private universities have mushroomed. As per the AISHE report there are 81 private deemed Universities and 391 state private universities, forcing the pendulum to lean towards private participation. It is no secret that both the central and state governments have dumped the idea that education shall be a 'merit good' in precept and practice. It appears that it is the policy of the state governments to reduce the investment in higher education. Despite the lukewarm treatment meted out to them, the mark of SPUs in the higher education sector remains indelible in terms of access to higher education, low-fee structure and supervision of the system. As per the AISHE report 2021-22, SPUs account for 81 per cent of student enrolment, thereby shooting up the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to the present level of 28.4 per cent. SPUs are also prime movers in maintaining Gender Parity Index (GPI) and enhancing the same from 0.87 in 2011-12 to 1.01 in 2021-22 for the entire nation. However, despite such significance, SPUs are beset with insurmountable challenges and deep-rooted problems like acute shortage of faculty, inadequate infrastructure, comparatively inferior laboratories, insufficient grants and to cap it all n overwhelming political pressure. The policy recommendations of NITI Aayog centred around four major challenges, including quality, funding, governance and employability. The implementation roadmap is categorised into three time periods-short term (up to two years), medium term (2-5 years) and long term (over five years). It is quite laudable that Aayog has tried to identify the players responsible for implementing the roadmap. The irony of the situation is that none of the identified individuals is new to the system but integral to it. Even then, they could not arrest the downfall of the PSUs. The ills besetting PSUs require a major surgery and not a 'pain balm treatment'. An attempt is being made here to detail the major and serious issues faced by them and how infeasible are the recommendations of NITI Aayog team in this regard. I am also trying to offer a more direct and realistic implementation process towards ameliorating the plight of SPUs. The first and foremost issue pertains to the acute shortage of faculty. As per one estimate, almost 50 per cent of the faculty positions in SPUs remain vacant. The entire activity is operated according to the whims and fancies of the state governments and mostly to the disadvantage of universities. We have come across instances wherein some state governments did not sanction a single faculty position, although new courses and programmes were incorporated into the curriculum. The common refrain of the authorities is 'budget' constraints. The recruitment processes of such institutes face litigation one too many, making it near impossible for the incumbent Vice-Chancellor to fill the vacancies during his three-year tenure. The teaching deficiency is made good by the appointment of part-time, contract and guest faculty. The irony of the situation is that the average service of these temporary faculty is anywhere around 10-15 years; and many of them become ineligible, if the universities apply a cap on the age of entry into service. NITI Aayog puts the responsibility on the shoulders of the state government, but precious little progress is made on this front. The second relates to lack of a sound base of research in terms of good quality infrastructure and trained faculty. Spending on research projects is miniscule, while the capability of these institutions to mobilise funds from agencies like DST, DBT, UGC, AICTE, other departments and ministries is dismal. This is exacerbated by the limited access to high-ranking quality journals. To set the things right, the NITI Aayog called for formulation of a clear policy for research, allocation of funds for establishing research labs, boosting collaborations and the need to have more centres of excellence. But the sorry state-of-affairs is that those entrusted with this responsibility are in deep slumber. The third factor relates to the complete absence of institution-industry interface in most SPUs. This needs to be stepped up to recognisable levels like the private institutions, which provide pre-placement training and long-term internships. Alternatively, SPUs can avail the opportunities provided through platforms like 'National Career Service' and AICTE's internship facility. The fourth dimension relates to funding of SPUs. Compared to central universities, IITs and NITs, SPUs are totally dependent on block grants extended by the respective state governments or through self-finance courses. Projects and consultancy are quite unthinkable. The final and fifth issue pertains to governance. At a time when universities were founded by princely states, the governing structures and funding were exemplary. The best example is the establishment of Osmania University by Nawab Osman Ali Khan in 1917. The iconic Arts College building remains a timeless architectural marvel. In the given circumstances, it is the considered opinion of the author that measures be taken to categorise SPUs into teaching and research outfits with designated objectives and targets. As a matter of fact, this is also the prescription of the NEP, 2020. The central government should take the lead by providing the necessary funding. It is time every HEI is allowed and provided with a congenial atmosphere to emerge as institutions of distinctive character and capable of creating their own USP and 'Brand Image'. (The writer is a former Vice-Chancellor of Acharya Nagarjuna University)
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
‘Vidya Shakti' launched in A.P. govt schools to help slow learners catch up in academics
Teachers hold the power to shape a bright future for the next generation, and they must treat every student as their own and ensure quality education, said Director of School Education V. Vijay Rama Raju. Speaking after inaugurating Vidya Shakti, a five-day training programme for teachers from the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), Andhra Pradesh Residential Schools and Andhra Pradesh Model Schools, proposed to be implemented in a phased manner, on Wednesday (June 25, 2025), Mr. Rama Raju explained that Vidya Shakti was an online remedial teaching initiative launched for students lagging behind academically in government schools and colleges across Andhra Pradesh. He said as part of the initiative, technology and innovative teaching methods would be used to offer additional coaching in Mathematics, Science, and English to students after school hours. 'Currently, the program is being implemented in 4,424 Zilla Parishad, Government, and Municipal schools, along with 576 KGBVs, A.P. Residential Schools and A.P. Model Schools across the State,' he informed, emphasising that the main objectives of 'Vidya Shakti' included improving learning outcomes, reducing dropout rates and increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in educational institutions across the state. From this academic year, he said subject-wise time slots would be scheduled and every student was expected to follow a fixed timetable. He also said it was important to identify bright students and provide them with additional support to help them excel in the Class 10 Board examinations. The event was attended by Secretary, A.P. Residential Educational Institutions Society (APREIS) V.N. Mastanayya, Director of Government Examinations and Additional Director, IT wing, K.V. Srinivasulu Reddy, Director of the AP State Council of Educational Research and Technology (SCERT) M.V. Krishna Reddy and representatives from IIT-Madras Pravartak.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UP records highest transition rate from secondary to senior secondary schools
Lucknow: With a transition rate of 76.7% from secondary to senior secondary, Uttar Pradesh not only leads the country but also surpasses the national average of 71.5%, according to the latest report from the Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting held under the Union Ministry of Education for the academic session 2025-26. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, the state needs to work towards improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) at all levels—primary, upper primary, and secondary, says the report. While GER is the total enrollment in a particular level of school education, regardless of age, NER is the total number of pupils enrolled in a particular level of school education who are of the corresponding official age. Currently, the GER at the primary level stands at 82.9%, upper primary at 78.8%, secondary at 63.8%, and higher secondary at 53.2%. The NER at primary, upper primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels stand at 67%, 49.4%, 30.7%, and 23.8% respectively. The report shows that the state govt has committed to filling the vacant posts of teachers at all levels by March 2026. At present, 22.7% (1.81 lakh) posts are vacant at the elementary level, 40.4% (3,872) at the secondary level, and 59.7% (8,714) at the senior secondary level. Similarly, 16.7% of academic posts are lying vacant in the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and 42.7% in District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs). Reiterating the issue of single-teacher schools, UP was asked to take corrective action to ensure an adequate number of teachers in all schools, particularly at the elementary level. The state has 2,586 primary and 3,109 upper primary single-teacher schools. Likewise, the number of schools with less than 30 enrolments is quite high, with 7,037 primary and 1,859 upper primary schools. Moreover, the number of schools with less than 15 enrolments has increased substantially at the primary level, from 816 in 2022-23 to 1,329 in 2023-24, the report pointed out. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Nevertheless, UP has shown a decline in zero-enrolment schools, and the number of schools with an adverse pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) has decreased. The report has lauded the state's efforts towards mainstreaming Out of School Children (OoSC) with 100% coverage. For 2025-26, 68,913 OoSC have been identified. The report suggested that state officials initiate a special enrollment drive in the form of door-to-door surveys in school catchment areas to identify OoSC. To further enhance the accuracy of this identification, the state was also advised to analyse complementary data from sources such as the Registrar of Births and Deaths, Anganwadi centres, and the PM Poshan scheme. In addition, the report finds that almost 70% of the secondary and senior secondary schools do not have ICT labs and smart classrooms. Almost 40% of schools do not have subject-specific labs like physics, chemistry, and biology.
