Latest news with #KuberDindor
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Restructuring of school management committees central focus of three-day enrollment drive in Gujarat
Restructuring of school management commitees (SMCs) and School Management Development Committees (SMDCs) in Gujarat is the central focus of an annual enrollment drive — Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelevani Mahotsav — scheduled for next month after the government issued directions in this regard to all District Education Officers (DEOs), Administrative Officers and heads of departments (HoDs). After an assessment of the SMCs — a key provision under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or the Right to Education Act aimed at ensuring community participation in the governance and monitoring of elementary education — revealed that a majority of such committees lies either only on paper or defunct, the Gujarat government is set to restructure these decision-making bodies at government primary schools. These panels also comprise parents and decide on spending of grants. A virtual interaction between Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and members of the SMCs from Gujarat schools were held on April 28. The Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelevani Mahotsav is scheduled for June 18-20 across government and grant-in-aid Balvatika, primary, secondary and higher secondary schools, Gyan Shakti Residential Schools and Rakshashakti Residential Schools across the state. For the annual enrollment drive, the emphasis this year has been 'placed on reducing dropouts in secondary education which should be given special attention', stated the directive issued to all districts, adding that 'accordingly, the outline of the programme should be prepared, publicity should be done, advertisement hoardings should be put up and other ancillary actions should be taken'. 'As part of proper implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which lays emphasis on increasing the participation of the local community, it has been decided to organise the Shala Praveshotsav and Kanya Kelavani 2025 to activate and empower the SMCs and SMDCs. The entire programme should be planned systematically keeping the activity of SMCs as the central theme in the drive,' Education Minister Kuber Dindor told The Indian Express. This year, as per the provisions of Right to Education Act, 2009, SMCs and SMDCs are to be reconstituted by convening parent meetings in schools from the new academic session, starting June — when two-year term of the SMCs will be come to an end. NEP 2020 emphasises a holistic, inclusive and community-centred approach to education. The formation and functions of SMCs and SMDCs are directly linked to the key objectives of the policy, such as community participation, school development and quality improvement, inclusive education, transparency and accountability. During the three-day enrollment drive, officials and politicians, including elected representatives right from the Chief Minister to corporators, IAS, IPS and government officials, will visit one primary school and two secondary and higher secondary schools each. While Section 21 of RTE Act mandates all government, government-aided, and special-category schools (except unaided private schools) to constitute an SMC within six months of the Act's implementation and reconstituted every two years, it was observed that even the reconstitution fails to achieve the objectives of SMCs. Depending on the students' strength, an SMC consists of elected representatives from the local authority, parents or guardians of students, and teachers — the key requirements being that at least 75 per cent members must be parents or guardians, 50 per cent women, and that there should be proportionate representation for parents of children from disadvantaged groups and weaker sections. Other members include one-third from the local authority, one-third from teachers, and one-third from local educationists or students (if no educationist is available). The SMC elects a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson among the parent members. The SMCs also have to prepare and recommend School Development Plans, which outlines the schools' needs and development goals, as well as monitors the utilisation of government grants for the schools' improvement, apart from with maintaining and auditing accounts of school funds, ensuring transparency.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Gujarat's first 'Centre of Competency' has been approved in Surat
Gandhinagar: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, has approved Gujarat's first 'Centre of Competency (CoC)' in Surat. This centre is poised to become a crucial hub for advanced treatment, accurate diagnosis, and integrated strategies aimed at the eradication of sickle cell anaemia, said an official statement from the Gujarat Chief Minister's office (CMO). According to the release, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission - 2047, on 1st July 2023 from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, signifying a nationwide resolve to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047. Minister of Tribal Development, Dr. Kuber Dindor, stated that, "to support this initiative, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs have jointly allocated a significant grant of Rs 6 crore to Gujarat." Sharing further details, Minister of Tribal Development, Kuber Dindor said that, "since 2005-06, Gujarat's then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken numerous initiatives to improve the health care of tribal communities, especially for controlling sickle cell disease in the state." According to the release, additionally, with the support of organisations like the Blood Donation Centre (VRK) in Valsad and the Sickle Cell Foundation in Bardoli, promising efforts are underway to control the disease. Recognising Gujarat's effective work in managing sickle cell disease among affected states across the country, the Government of India has planned special programs and regulatory measures in sickle cell-affected states as part of the Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission. Gujarat has become a model for other states in controlling this disease. Accordingly, the 'Centre of Competency (Coc)' established at New Civil Hospital, Surat will serve as a crucial centre in the state to carry out impactful work towards the eradication of sickle cell anaemia from Gujarat. According to the release, from the outset, Gujarat has offered free sickle cell anaemia testing services, which typically cost around Rs 200 to Rs 300 in the private sector. Moreover, patients receive a range of additional facilities and support services. Under the continuous guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat has emerged as a 'Model State' in the mission to eradicate sickle cell anaemia prevalent among tribal communities, a distinction which is a matter of pride for all the people of Gujarat, the Minister added. Minister Dindor said that, in Gujarat," the Tribal Development Department, along with the Gujarat Tribal Research and Training Society , in collaboration with the Health and Family Welfare Department, conducts awareness programs, preventive measures, and containment efforts related to sickle cell disease. A particular emphasis is placed on organising awareness campaigns throughout the year in schools and colleges within tribal areas to prevent the transmission of this disease among the new generation." The release said that the Tribal Development Department and the Health Department are closely collaborating to enhance the effectiveness of the programs. The minister further added that the center will provide patient care, treatment, education, and research related to the disease. Additionally, it will be equipped with a modern laboratory for sickle cell patients, along with facilities including 30 treatment beds and two ICU beds. An action plan has been formulated accordingly. Under the leadership of Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, the Health Department has been entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the CoC in Surat. Providing further insights, Minister of State for Tribal Development Kunvarji Halpati said that this disease is predominantly found among tribal people. Among Gujarat's 14 tribal districts, South Gujarat has a larger tribal population and a higher number of affected patients. Consequently, the New Civil Hospital in Surat has been selected as the location for the CoC, demonstrating the commitment of both the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat to tribal health care. According to the release, he expressed hope that this centre will carry out effective work in the near future to eradicate sickle cell disease among the tribal population. The Government of India has approved CoCs in a total of 17 states, including Gujarat, to focus on the healthcare of tribal communities nationwide--a matter of pride and joy. Under this centre, nodal officers, sickle cell counsellors, and healthcare professionals from 14 tribal districts of Gujarat will receive specialised training. The centre aims to raise disease awareness and strengthen healthcare capabilities within tribal communities. In its inaugural year, the CoC will be established with a multidisciplinary team and equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities. A robust system will be implemented to register and ensure consistent follow-up with every sickle cell patient. A specialized training center will be established to facilitate capacity-building programs for healthcare providers. Additionally, where required, culturally relevant training materials and awareness literature will be developed and disseminated in local tribal languages to enhance communication and outreach. Research on hereditary diseases such as sickle cell anaemia will be carried out by both government agencies and specialized voluntary organizations dedicated to disease control and treatment. Insights gained from these studies will help strengthen awareness and preventive efforts within tribal communities, alongside providing targeted training to healthcare workers in tribal regions to enhance their expertise. The CoC will play an important role in addressing the intergenerational challenges of hereditary diseases like sickle cell anaemia, with a focus on providing long-term, sustainable solutions.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Gujarat's first centre of competence for sickle cell anaemia gets Centre's nod
Gandhinagar: The state govt announced on Thursday that Gujarat's first centre of competence (CoC) for has been approved by the Union govt. The minister stated that the centre will be set up in Surat at a cost of Rs 6 crore and will serve as a hub for comprehensive patient care, education and research. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The announcement was made during the launch of the 2047, which was launched on Thursday by PM Narendra Modi. State minister of tribal development Kuber Dindor said that to support this initiative, the Union health and tribal development ministries have allocated a grant of Rs 6 crore. Under this centre, nodal officers, sickle cell anaemia counsellors and healthcare professionals from 14 tribal districts of the state will receive specialised training, Dindor added. Among Gujarat's 14 tribal districts, south Gujarat has the largest tribal population with a high number of affected patients. An official statement said that given the high prevalence of sickle cell disease and a substantial tribal population in south Gujarat, the new civil hospital in Surat has been selected as the site for the CoC. The centre will be equipped with a laboratory for sickle cell patients, along with facilities including 30 treatment beds and two ICU beds. A specialised training centre will be established to facilitate capacity-building programmes for healthcare providers. Additionally, where required, culturally relevant training materials and awareness literature will be developed and disseminated in local tribal languages to enhance communication and outreach, the state govt said. The CoC will play an important role in addressing the challenges of hereditary diseases like sickle cell anaemia, with a focus on providing long-term, sustainable solutions, the statement added. According to the 2011 census figures, there were 8,91,262 patients with sickle cell trait (SCT) and 66,845 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the state. Sickle cell anaemia (also known as sickle cell disorder or sickle cell disease) is a , where the blood cells are sickle-shaped instead of round and haemoglobin is abnormal.
India Gazette
15-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Gujarat's first 'Centre of Competency' has been approved in Surat
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], May 15 (ANI): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, has approved Gujarat's first 'Centre of Competency (CoC)' in Surat. This centre is poised to become a crucial hub for advanced treatment, accurate diagnosis, and integrated strategies aimed at the eradication of sickle cell anaemia, said an official statement from the Gujarat Chief Minister's office (CMO). According to the release, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission - 2047, on 1st July 2023 from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, signifying a nationwide resolve to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047. Minister of Tribal Development, Dr. Kuber Dindor, stated that, 'to support this initiative, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs have jointly allocated a significant grant of Rs 6 crore to Gujarat.' Sharing further details, Minister of Tribal Development, Kuber Dindor said that, 'since 2005-06, Gujarat's then Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken numerous initiatives to improve the health care of tribal communities, especially for controlling sickle cell disease in the state.' According to the release, additionally, with the support of organisations like the Blood Donation Centre (VRK) in Valsad and the Sickle Cell Foundation in Bardoli, promising efforts are underway to control the disease. Recognising Gujarat's effective work in managing sickle cell disease among affected states across the country, the Government of India has planned special programs and regulatory measures in sickle cell-affected states as part of the Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission. Gujarat has become a model for other states in controlling this disease. Accordingly, the 'Centre of Competency (Coc)' established at New Civil Hospital, Surat will serve as a crucial centre in the state to carry out impactful work towards the eradication of sickle cell anaemia from Gujarat. According to the release, from the outset, Gujarat has offered free sickle cell anaemia testing services, which typically cost around Rs 200 to Rs 300 in the private sector. Moreover, patients receive a range of additional facilities and support services. Under the continuous guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat has emerged as a 'Model State' in the mission to eradicate sickle cell anaemia prevalent among tribal communities, a distinction which is a matter of pride for all the people of Gujarat, the Minister added. Minister Dindor said that, in Gujarat,' the Tribal Development Department, along with the Gujarat Tribal Research and Training Society, in collaboration with the Health and Family Welfare Department, conducts awareness programs, preventive measures, and containment efforts related to sickle cell disease. A particular emphasis is placed on organising awareness campaigns throughout the year in schools and colleges within tribal areas to prevent the transmission of this disease among the new generation.' The release said that the Tribal Development Department and the Health Department are closely collaborating to enhance the effectiveness of the programs. The minister further added that the center will provide patient care, treatment, education, and research related to the disease. Additionally, it will be equipped with a modern laboratory for sickle cell patients, along with facilities including 30 treatment beds and two ICU beds. An action plan has been formulated accordingly. Under the leadership of Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, the Health Department has been entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the CoC in Surat. Providing further insights, Minister of State for Tribal Development Kunvarji Halpati said that this disease is predominantly found among tribal people. Among Gujarat's 14 tribal districts, South Gujarat has a larger tribal population and a higher number of affected patients. Consequently, the New Civil Hospital in Surat has been selected as the location for the CoC, demonstrating the commitment of both the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat to tribal health care. According to the release, he expressed hope that this centre will carry out effective work in the near future to eradicate sickle cell disease among the tribal population. The Government of India has approved CoCs in a total of 17 states, including Gujarat, to focus on the healthcare of tribal communities nationwide--a matter of pride and joy. Under this centre, nodal officers, sickle cell counsellors, and healthcare professionals from 14 tribal districts of Gujarat will receive specialised training. The centre aims to raise disease awareness and strengthen healthcare capabilities within tribal communities. In its inaugural year, the CoC will be established with a multidisciplinary team and equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities. A robust system will be implemented to register and ensure consistent follow-up with every sickle cell patient. A specialized training center will be established to facilitate capacity-building programs for healthcare providers. Additionally, where required, culturally relevant training materials and awareness literature will be developed and disseminated in local tribal languages to enhance communication and outreach. Research on hereditary diseases such as sickle cell anaemia will be carried out by both government agencies and specialized voluntary organizations dedicated to disease control and treatment. Insights gained from these studies will help strengthen awareness and preventive efforts within tribal communities, alongside providing targeted training to healthcare workers in tribal regions to enhance their expertise. The CoC will play an important role in addressing the intergenerational challenges of hereditary diseases like sickle cell anaemia, with a focus on providing long-term, sustainable solutions. (ANI)
Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
GSHSEB Class 12 results: Marginal increase in pass percentage in Science, General streams
The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB), which announced its Class 12 results on Monday, recorded a pass percentage of over 83 for Science stream, and 93 for the General stream. This year logged a marginal increase in the pass percentage, when compared with the previous year. This is the second year after 2024 when both General and Science streams results were declared on the same day. The number of schools with pass percentage of 100 for both Science and General streams increased this year. Also schools with pass percentage of below 10 rose in number. 'The number of schools with pass percentage of less than 10 have increased slightly, but at the same time, schools with pass percentage of 100 increased by nearly 400 for General stream and 67 for Science stream. The overall results are also better than last year… which is an achievement,' Education Minister Kuber Dindor told The Indian Express. From 27 last year, the number of schools with pass percentage of below 10 increased to 34 for the Science stream. On the other hand, number of schools where 100 per cent students from Science stream passed the exams increased from 127 in 2024 to 194 this year. Similarly, in General stream, the number of schools where less than 10 per cent students have passed increased from 19 last year to 21 in 2025, while the number of schools with a pass percentage of 100 rose from 1609 in 2024 to 2005 this year. However, in Science stream candidates with A1 grade — the highest of grades — saw a year-on-year decline from 1,034 to 831, while for A2 grade it dropped from 8,983 to 8083 candidates. The pass percentage of A group (non-medical) stood at 91.90, B (medical) group at 78.74 and AB group at 73.68. Despite measures taken to improve students' performance in Science subjects, when compared to last ten years, while a rise of nearly 30 per cent has been recorded in the pass percentage for General stream — from 63.35 in 2015 to 93.07 in 2025; for Science stream, the rate declined from 86.10 to 83.51, recording the lowest in March 2023 when 65.58 per cent students passed the Class 12 exams in the state. In 2023, the state government had cited Covid pandemic as the reason behind poor results. In Science stream, out of 1,00,575 regular students, 83,987 qualified for certificate and in General, 3,37,387 out of 3,62,506 qualified for the pass certificate this year. The pass percentage of boys in Science stream is 83.79 and girls is 83.20. In General stream, the percentage of boys and girls stood at 90.78 and 95.23, respectively. Two rural districts of Morbi and Banaskantha have fared best in both streams. While the tribal district of Dahod has scored the lowest in Science stream, Vadodara logged the lowest success in the state in the General stream. In General stream, the maximum number of candidates failed in one subject (15,012), followed by 6,047 in two subjects. In Science stream, the maximum number of students failed in two subjects (7,626), followed by 5,594 in three subjects . Science stream also recorded a lower number of students scoring above 99 percentile as 365 students and 647 students were awarded above 99 percentile in A and B group, respectively. Against this, 3,924 candidates from General stream secured above 99 percentile. In Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GUJCET) results declared on Monday, 489 and 790 candidates were placed above the 99 percentile category in A and B groups, respectively.
