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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
L-G office's push for including Sanskrit in J&K schools not approved yet: J&K govt
The move of the Secretariat of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to include Sanskrit as a mandatory or optional subject in schools in J&K not approved yet, the J&K government said on Saturday (July 19, 2025). A government spokesman said the L-G Secretariat had received a representation from Purshotam Lal Dube, who heads a non-governmental organisation, for inclusion of Sanskrit in the schools and colleges of J&K under the provisions of NEP 2020. 'The communication was forwarded to the Higher and the School Education department by the L-G Secretariat. The department has not proposed, approved, or initiated any process for the inclusion of Sanskrit as a mandatory or optional subject in schools across Jammu & Kashmir,' the government spokesman said. The spokesman said the L-G office's communication was forwarded by the General Administration Department (GAD) to Director School Education Jammu and Kashmir for furnishing of comments in the matter. 'The department follows a transparent and consultative process for curriculum changes, in line with NEP 2020. Any future decision regarding the inclusion of new subjects will be officially communicated through proper channels after due deliberation,' the spokesman said. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday accused the Omar Abdullah government of excluding Urdu from digitisation of land records in J&K. 'Years before the 2024 government's formation, the J&K administration allegedly gave a multi-crore land digitisation contract to a company named 'Ramtech.' The company scanned every single land document across districts but digitised only Srinagar and Jammu in three years,' PDP leader and legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said. He said Mr. Abdullah's silence was questionable. 'Where's the accountability for the crores spent? And why is the Omar Abdullah government now erasing Urdu, one of the official languages from the new digitisation process? I'm sure the CM would be aware of this issue since he also happens to hold the revenue portfolio,' Mr. Parra said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Focus on enhancing learning outcomes, developing fundamental skills among students, Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister Lokesh tells officials
Andhra Pradesh Minister for Human Resources Development N. Lokesh has directed officials of the School Education Department to focus on Guaranteed Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FL&N) to develop fundamental skills in reading, writing and mathematics among students. Addressing a review meeting attended by officials of School Education, Samagra Shiksha and Intermediate Education departments, Mr. Lokesh said it would help improve district and State-level rankings of the government schools. He said teachers should be motivated to enhance learning outcomes. He wanted the officials to maintain utmost transparency in selecting candidates for 'Best Teacher' awards to be given on the occasion of Teachers' Day on September 5. 'Aa-Aa' programme He said STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities should be effectively implemented in the government schools through Atal Tinkering Labs. The Minister discussed steps to strengthen the High School Plus system. He enquired about the admissions in the first year of Intermediate courses in government junior colleges and directed the officials to implement the Akshara Andhra (Aa-Aa) literacy programme effectively. Secretary, School Education, Kona Shashidhar, Commissioner of School Education V. Vijay Rama Raju, Samagra Shiksha State Project Director B. Srinivasa Rao, and Director of Intermediate Education Kritika Shukla were among others present. Later, at a review meeting with the officials of the Skill Development Department, Mr. Lokesh directed them to complete the Skill Portal being developed to connect youth with industry opportunities by August as it was scheduled to be launched on September 1. Job fairs He said the District Employment Officers would be renamed as District Employment and Skill Officers, job fairs would be organised every three months in every constituency and international employment opportunities should be facilitated through OMCAP (Overseas Manpower Corporation of Andhra Pradesh). He wanted support guidelines to be created for those seeking employment abroad to avoid exploitation and a helpline (0863-2340678) and WhatsApp number- 8500027678 should be made available for any issues faced by job-seekers going abroad. Managing Director and CEO of Skill Development Corporation G. Ganesh Kumar, Director of College Education N. Bharat Gupta, Adviser, International Skilling and Mobility, Seetha Sharma, and APSSDC Executive Director K. Raghu were among others present.
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Contractors' ultimatum to govt…
Hyderabad: Small-budget contractors have threatened to lock government and local body schools across Telangana if the State government fails to clear their outstanding bills related to 'Mana Ooru-Mana Badi' works. A large number of contractors from across the State participated in a protest at the Directorate of School Education, Hyderabad, on Monday. They issued a 15-day ultimatum for the clearance of their bills. The contractors allege that the government has been clearing bills for 'Amma Adarsha Patashalas' but has left 'Mana Ooru-Mana Badi' bills pending for several months. They stated that while works worth Rs 1,000 crore have been executed, bills amounting to Rs 300 crore have already been generated. Criticising alleged favouritism, the contractors lamented that the government readily has funds available for large contractors handling mega projects but has failed to pay smaller contractors who undertook crucial school infrastructure works. 'If the State government fails to clear the bills in 15 days, on the next day we will lock schools where there are pending bills. We will not allow teachers and students into the school. Along with our family members, we will protest at the schools,' stated Ajmeera Jawaharlal, a contractor from Warangal. 'We have given a representation to Director of School Education Dr Naveen Nicolas.' The previous BRS government initiated the 'Mana Ooru-Mana Badi' programme in 9,000 government and local body schools across Telangana. More than 1,000 small-budget contractors undertook developmental works in these schools. While some projects were completed, several remained unfinished during the transition period between governments. Even after the Congress government assumed power, many contractors completed the pending works, hoping the new administration would clear their bills. However, they claim they have been left in limbo, with bills outstanding for several months.
New Indian Express
02-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Mega Parent Teacher Meet 2.0 in schools, junior colleges on July 10
VIJAYAWADA: The School Education Department has announced that the second edition of its statewide parent-teacher engagement program, Mega PTM 2.0, will now be held on July 10. Initially scheduled for July 5, the event was postponed to ensure better preparedness and increased participation. The programme will be conducted across all Government, Private Aided, Private Unaided schools, and Junior Colleges in Andhra Pradesh. Samagra Shiksha State Project Director B. Srinivasa Rao issued instructions to District Collectors, District Education Officers (DEOs), Regional Joint Directors (RJDs), and Additional District Project Coordinators, emphasising coordinated planning and close supervision. During a video conference on Monday, Director of School Education Vijay Rama Raju and Rao urged officials to ensure the event is inclusive, impactful, and aligned with the Right to Education Act, 2009, and the National Education Policy, 2020. Mega PTM 2.0 is expected to be held in 61,135 educational institutions, engaging 2.28 crore participants, including 74.96 lakh students, 3.32 lakh teachers, and 1.49 crore parents, donors, alumni, and public representatives. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among parents, teachers, and schools for holistic student development. Following the success of the first Mega PTM on December 7, 2024, the state decided to scale up the initiative. Teachers will distribute Holistic Progress Cards detailing students' academic and social growth. Open meetings led by headmasters will address school performance, infrastructure, and development goals. Additional activities will include fun games, family photo booths, and the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (Plant a Tree in Mother's Name) campaign under the Green Passport program. Sessions on positive parenting, mental health, anti-drug awareness, and child development workshops will also be organised. Students can register for sapling distribution through the LEAP app.
New Indian Express
28-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
TN schools to ring water bells, circular soon
KRISHNAGIRI: The School Education Department in Tamil Nadu will soon send circulars to schools asking to commence the 'water bell' programme, announced Minister of School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Friday. The water bell initiative, which is followed in a few southern states and Puducherry, aims to promote timely intake of drinking water by students to avoid dehydration. "The Kerala government has been carrying out the water bell initiative for the past two years. In Tamil Nadu, our teachers have been verbally instructing the students to drink more water. Considering the well-being of the children, we have been the first to launch the "Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme". Soon we will send circulars instructing schools to commence the water bell initiative," said Minister of School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi at a press meet. Prior to the press meet, the minister participated in the inauguration of the 'STEM Innovation and Learning Centre' in eight schools in Krishnagiri. "Sixteen STEM innovation centres and learning centres have been opened in Krishnagiri district at a cost of Rs 4.44 crore. Out of the 83 STEM innovation centres in the country, Tamil Nadu has 33, and of these, 16 are in Hosur. Students would learn through practical hands-on learning in fields of science, engineering, IT, and other sectors," the minister said. The minster also participated in a conference organised by teachers of the Tamil Nadu Urdu Primary and Middle School. "Urdu is not a foreign language. It is an Indian language with beautiful literature. As per the 2001 survey, over 6% of the population, roughly around 52 million people, speak Urdu in India," Anbil Mahesh noted. Later, the minister also participated in the State Level Achievement Survey (SLAS) events at Mookandapalli, Hosur and Adhiyamankottai in Dharmapuri. "The SLAS aims to improve the performance of teachers and schools for the betterment of students' education," the minister stated. The minister also announced that over 2,346 vacancies for teachers would be filled soon.
