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Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt school education in UP: Beyond enrolment figures
In 2015, the Allahabad high court had directed the state government to ensure that the children of bureaucrats, elected representatives and members of the judiciary, or any other person receiving benefits or salary from the state exchequer, study in government schools. The court had ruled that the order become operational from the next academic session. Taking note of the dismal condition of government schools, Justice Sudhir Agarwal had advised the government to lay down penalty provisions for those violating the order. It became a hot topic of discussion in the corridors of power as a majority of officials sent their kids to public schools. Later, in 2018, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court in which the petitioner alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government had failed to implement the 2015 high court order. The petitioner had contended that the non-compliance with the high court order was affecting the interest of the children as primary schools run by the basic education board were victims of mal-administration and corruption and, thus, the interest of the common man was suffering. In 2018, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had asked government teachers to send their children to government schools as it would instill confidence in others to follow suit. He had said that they were seeding doubts in their own capabilities by sending their kids to private schools. The intent of all the orders was to highlight and improve the quality of government schools in the state, perhaps, on the presumption that teaching standards in the schools would improve if the teachers or the officials sent their wards there. A decade later, however, the schools continue to remain low in demand. At a recent meeting convened by the education ministry with representatives of 33 states and Union Territories, an alarming drop in enrolment in government schools in 2024-25 was noticed. Five states topped the list of states with a decline of over one lakh admissions. The states were: Uttar Pradesh with a drop of 21.83 lakh followed by Bihar (6.14 lakh), Rajasthan (5.63 lakh), Karnataka (2.15 lakh) and West Bengal (4.01 lakh). The states were asked to take immediate remedial steps even though several reasons were cited to explain the data including data corrections (removal of fake or duplicate entries) and the timing of the survey as the data feeding for the year 2025-26 would start from July. It was also pointed out that students, who had withdrawn from schools due to Covid-19, returned in 2022-23, leading to high enrolments. Significantly, there was also a meal coverage drop under the flagship scheme Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, renamed as Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti, launched in the mid-1990s with the twin purpose of attracting students to schools and elevating their nutrition levels. The scheme had earlier increased the admission and attendance numbers at schools. Perhaps, only a few maybe aware that the MDM was first implemented in Chennai (then Madras) in 1920, providing tiffin to students, as reported by media. Later, chief minister K Kamraj had taken it forward by starting a free-meal scheme in all government schools. Ironically, the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 did not paint such a dismal picture as they found 80% enrolment in the pre-primary section. Their survey also found the enrolment numbers remaining stable in elementary schools and not decreasing in the older children category. Officials here point out the methodology while admitting that the education ministry's concern was genuine. Earlier, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati had cited the dismal condition of schools as the main reason for the drop in enrolment while also criticising the closure of madrasas. She had said government schools and madrasas were the only option for the poor to access affordable education. Thus, the moot question is: What is the reason behind the drop in government school enrolments in an aspirational India in which poorest of the poor parents are keen to get their children educated? The most common answer seems to be: 'we want our children to study though we could not'. Lalita Pradeeep, who has been part of the system as former additional director, state education, explained: 'While entitlements like mid-day meals and free uniforms play a vital role in drawing students to government schools, the sustained enrolment and retention often hinge on the presence of committed and inspiring teachers. Quality teaching not only nurtures learning but also fosters trust in the public education system, making it a cornerstone of long-term educational engagement.' Urvashi Sahni, founder director of Study Hall Educational Foundation, was also a member of CM's advisory council on education reforms in Rajasthan during Vasundhara Raje's tenure. 'We need to ensure that our schools are sufficiently and appropriately staffed and that the infrastructure is in good condition. Once these ground conditions are in place, then teachers need to be held accountable for learning outcomes. Teachers can be supported with the latest pedagogies via technology. Technologically supported systems can be used to ensure teacher accountability as well. Most importantly, the government should demonstrate a strong political will to improve the quality of their schools. That combined with executive efficiency will result in high performing schools,' Sahni said. However, parents, despite the hardship they face in paying the fees of private schools, want their children to study in English medium. They link the knowledge of English with employment and status in society. The government will have to come out of its cultural hypocrisy and convert their schools into English medium. After all, policy makers send their kids to convent schools and, in fact, want them to know as many languages as possible. Initially, the state government did announce the opening a few English medium schools but without appointing adequate teachers. While the infrastructure has improved in several government schools, they continue to lose the perception battle as there is no projection of achievements of their students and teachers. The government may like to launch a drive to change the perception about government schools by projecting achievements of their students in different fields. Teachers too need to be part of the overhaul of government schools. Sometimes, their initiatives like mobilising local resources for construction, say, of a school boundary wall invite probes and disciplinary action. This is unlike in convent schools, many of which allow their alumnus to support their alma mater in the form of library, books and computers. Importantly, the education sector has to be prioritised and a larger budget allocated to it. There are 1.33 lakh schools (Class 1-8) and another 3049 are government-aided in which the respective strength of students is 1.48 crore and 4.28 lakh in UP. At the secondary level, there are about 3500 government schools for Class 10 and 12 while 8697 are aided. The state's annual budget (for education) in 2024-25 was ₹85,726 crore. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
‘Ensure priority foodgrain supply for MDM scheme'
Patna: The education department has issued a directive, signed by additional chief secretary S Siddharth, asking district officers to ensure that the State Food Corporation supplies foodgrain to schools on a priority basis for the mid-day meal (MDM) scheme so that its operation is not disrupted. The letter, issued on Friday, also asked officials to regularly review foodgrain availability in all schools under their jurisdiction to prevent shortages. In addition, the directive warned that in cases where irregularities in the scheme are reported, such as meals not being provided as per the prescribed menu, fraudulent student attendance, poor-quality meals from centralised kitchens or insufficient meal quantities compared to student numbers, responsibility will not rest solely with headteachers. Instead, the district programme officer of the MDM scheme, district programme manager and block or district resource persons will also be held accountable and disciplinary action will be taken against them. The letter said that the operation of the MDM scheme has been hampered by the delayed supply of food grains from the State Food Corporation. "When foodgrains are not delivered on time, cooked meals are not available to children on that day," it said. It added that grains from the targeted public distribution system (TPDS) are often allocated first to other PDS beneficiaries and only then to schools, leading to delays in the MDM scheme. The department said that while action is typically taken against headmasters or through deductions from centralised kitchen bills, the broader network of officials responsible must also be held to account. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
SA firefighters showcase skills in Tzaneen
TZANEEN – Firefighters from across the country gathered in Tzaneen to celebrate the dedication, strength, and skills of first responders during International Firefighters' Day. The event, held at the Mopani Disaster Management Centre in early May, was designed to introduce various aspects of firefighting to the local community, including high-angle rescues, vehicle extrications, and water-based operations. Participants also took part in the National Firefighters Challenge, where they competed in a series of demanding events that tested their skills and physical fitness. Basani Shibambu, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Community Services in the Mopani District Municipality (MDM), spoke at the event, noting that, in recent years, MDM has experienced no fatalities among its firefighters. However, she emphasised the importance of post-incident trauma counselling for those in the field. 'We want to encourage all first responders to make use of our employee assistance programmes, which offer vital mental health support. The experiences you face on the job can be deeply distressing,' Shibambu said. She referred to the tragic crash earlier this year on the R40 near Hoedspruit, which resulted in 14 deaths. Read more: Hoedspruit R40 crash: One of three survivors dies 'You were the first to respond, and you witnessed the horrific scenes,' she said, urging the firefighters to prioritise post-incident mental health debriefing. Also read: DNA confirms 11 victims in Hoedspruit R40 crash Shibambu commended the firefighters for their quick and effective response. She also expressed her support for the newly formed Tzaneen Emergency Support team, a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing emergency services in the community. 'We want to sincerely thank all those volunteers who dedicate their time and skills to support our communities. Your commitment is invaluable,' Shibambu concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Journal
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Families in Gaza eating grass and animal feed as doctors witness record levels of malnutrition
FAMILIES IN GAZA have resorted to boiling grass and eating animal feed as Israel's food, water and aid blockade on the region enters its eleventh week. Doctors in the Gaza Strip are witnessing and recording the highest levels ever of malnutrition in the territory. Acute levels of malnourishment are being seen in children and in pregnant women. Humanitarian and medical organisations held an emergency press briefing this afternoon to brief the world's media on what they are witnessing in Gaza, which has been blockaded from receiving aid by Israel. Bushma Khalidi, Oxfam's head of policy for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, whose family are currently in Gaza, said: 'People are eating animal feed. They're boiling grass .' 'Families are slaughtering their horses – something unimaginable in our culture, something sacred – just to feed their children. We've seen people catching turtles from sewage-contaminated shores to cook and survive. 'Even my own family in Gaza, my brother-in-law Hassan, told me the children are dizzy most of the day. This is not because they are sick, but because they're hungry. This is how deep this has gone,' Khalidi said. A man in Northern Gaza grounds lentils as a replacement for flour in order to make bread for his family, image taken on 11 May, Alamy Alamy Mahmoud Isleem of French medical organisation Médecins du Monde's (MDM) Palestine, which operates eight clinics in Gaza, said the level of malnutrition his organisation is seeing is unprecedented. One in four children are now presenting to clinics with evidence of malnutrition, as of last month. Isleem said the levels of malnutrition his organisation has recorded in Gaza can be compared with countries which have been suffering from the issue for decades. Photo of a baby suffering from malnutrition, taken in Gaza on 5 May. One in four children are presenting with malnutrition in Gaza. Alamy Alamy On 2 March, Israel formally began a full-scale blockade on Gaza's access to food, water, fuel, medicine and other key humanitarian aid supplies. The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said this week that Gaza is at risk of a food crisis 'or worse' by September . There is now a 'critical risk of famine', according to the global hunger monitor's latest report. Advertisement Israel's bombardment of Gaza continues. Israel plans to scale up a 'full force' offensive on Gaza in the coming days . 'Total collapse of dignity' Dr Mike Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organization's emergency programme, said in an emotional speech in Switzerland at the beginning of this month that the children of Gaza are 'starving' . Oxfam's Khalidi said today that Israel's actions represent a 'total disregard for humanitarian norms'. Photo taken today, 14 May, after continued Israeli bomb strikes resulted in the death of civilians, including children, in Northern Gaza. Alamy Alamy 'This isn't just a crisis – it's a collapse. It's a collapse of basic survival. It's a collapse of dignity. It's a collapse of the international order,' Khalidi said. We've called repeatedly for a permanent ceasefire, repeatedly for full and unimpeded access and repeatedly for respect of international law, yet what we're seeing the opposite.' Families eating 'rancid' food Soraya Ali, Global Media Manager at international charity Save the Children, said Israel's blockade on Gaza has reduced life in the territory to an 'inhumane nightmare'. She said families are forced to eat 'rancid food' to avoid hunger, and the most basic medical care is not available as Israel's blockade enters its 73rd day. Ali said: 'The humanitarian situation is the worst it has ever been. People continue to be displaced. They're being bombed and killed by bombs. Starved.' Trucks stopped at the border between Egypt and Gaza after 2 March after Israel launched its full blockade. Alamy, file Alamy, file Doctors without Borders (MSF) today urged the UN and the EU to use their political and economic leverage to stop the 'instrumentalisation of aid' by Israel. 'We are witnessing, in real time, the creation of conditions for the eradication of Palestinian lives in Gaza,' the medical aid agency said. It added: 'The obstruction of humanitarian aid is a direct violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2720, which calls for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians. Israel's claims that aid is being diverted by Hamas 'remain unverified and in no way justify such measures', MSF said. 'As the occupying power, Israel must facilitate impartial humanitarian assistance for the population in need,' it added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Business Wire
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Informatica Announces Availability of MDM SaaS on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure as a Preferred Partner
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Informatica (NYSE: INFA), an AI-powered enterprise cloud data management leader and Oracle partner, today announced the upcoming availability of its Master Data Management (MDM) service and Intelligent Data Management Cloud™ platform service on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), enabling customers to use Informatica MDM natively in their OCI environment. Additionally, Informatica has been designated as a preferred partner for enterprise cloud data integration, data governance and master data management (MDM) for data warehouse and lakehouse solutions on OCI. The announcements were made today at Informatica World in Las Vegas. Availability of Informatica MDM SaaS on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure enables customers to use Informatica MDM natively in their OCI environment. Share Informatica's MDM service helps unify data across the enterprise for an accurate, high-quality, contextual 360-degree view of critical business data to enable analytics and AI-powered insights. The availability of Informatica MDM SaaS on OCI enables companies to create a single, unified view of their business data, ensuring data consistency, accuracy and completeness. This trusted data foundation can help improve decision-making, streamline business processes and enhance customer experiences. This release will further enable Oracle Cloud Infrastructure customers to leverage the full range of Informatica's Intelligent Data Management Cloud services natively on OCI, allowing them to purchase MDM and other Informatica applications through Oracle Cloud Marketplace using their OCI credits. This collaboration will help provide more accurate, trusted data for GenAI and agentic AI applications, as well as a myriad of use cases across industries, such as customer experience optimization and predictive marketing recommendations, improved supplier and vendor management, better support for patient outcomes in the healthcare and life sciences sectors and improved client lifecycle management in the financial services sector. 'Deloitte's long-standing collaboration with Informatica and Oracle will enable our joint clients to harness and extract value from the data that lives in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure,' said Pavel Krumkachev, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP. 'With Informatica's MDM service on OCI, our clients can create a strong, trusted data foundation as they look to build and deploy GenAI and agentic AI applications that enable better AI-driven decision-making and innovative new use cases.' 'Oracle is pleased to see this partnership with Informatica continue to grow and expand,' said Hasan Rizvi, Executive Vice President, Database Engineering at Oracle. 'By introducing Informatica MDM SaaS natively on OCI, our joint customers will be able to access a single source of truth across any domain and leverage that data for their most business-critical and transformational use cases, including agentic AI applications.' Key Customer Benefits of Native Availability of MDM on OCI Include: Ability to create golden records for multiple data sources, providing a single, authoritative source of truth for all critical data entities. Allows a multidomain MDM approach to managing and maintaining critical data entities across multiple domains in the organization, such as customers, products, suppliers, locations and more. This helps reduce data silos providing a holistic view of enterprise data, improves data quality by enabling consistency, and provides a strong framework for data governance—ultimately making it easier to comply with data privacy regulations. Provides a streamlined solution for customers using Oracle Cloud offerings including Oracle Autonomous Database. MDM on OCI will also be available on Oracle Cloud Marketplace, making it simple for Oracle customers to obtain. Informatica has developed connectors for streamlined use of its cloud platform with Oracle Autonomous Database, Oracle Object Storage, making data from these Oracle sources available to be accessed, shared and mastered quickly, improving use of the data for decision-making and innovation. 'We're honored to receive the preferred partner designation from Oracle for MDM, which demonstrates our leadership in the MDM space and underscores our commitment to bringing joint value to our enterprise customers,' said Manouj Tahiliani, Senior Vice President at Informatica. 'We are excited to announce the upcoming availability of Informatica MDM on OCI, making it easier for joint Informatica and Oracle customers to leverage high-fidelity master data for decision making and AI-powered innovation.' Availability MDM on Informatica's Intelligent Data Management Cloud for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure will be available in October 2025. For more details, visit About Informatica Informatica (NYSE: INFA), a leader in AI-powered enterprise cloud data management, helps businesses unlock the full value of their data and AI. As data grows in complexity and volume, only Informatica's Intelligent Data Management Cloud™ delivers a complete, end-to-end platform with a suite of industry-leading, integrated solutions to connect, manage and unify data across any cloud, hybrid or multi-cloud environment. Powered by CLAIRE® AI, Informatica's platform integrates natively with all major cloud providers, data warehouses and analytics tools—giving organizations the freedom of choice, avoiding vendor lock-in and delivering better ROI by enabling access governed data, simplify operations and scale with confidence. Trusted by 5,000+ customers in nearly 100 countries—including over 80 of the Fortune 100—Informatica is the backbone of platform-agnostic, cloud data-driven transformation. Informatica. Where data and AI come to life.™ About Oracle's Partner Program Oracle's partner program helps Oracle and its partners drive joint customer success and business momentum. The newly enhanced program provides partners with choice and flexibility, offering several program pathways and a robust range of foundational benefits spanning training and enablement, go-to-market collaboration, technical accelerators, and success support. To learn more, visit Trademark Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company—ushering in the new era of cloud computing.
