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Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Maharashtra issues SOPs to strengthen midday-meal safety in schools
People involved in preparing midday meals for school children must undergo regular medical check-ups, states the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the Maharashtra school education department on Friday. The SOPs also state that the prepared food must first be tasted by an adult—such as the server, a teacher, a parent, or another school staff member—on a rotational basis before being served to students. The primary objective of the SOPs is to prevent instances of food poisoning or other health issues among children who are provided nutritious meals in government schools as part of the midday meal scheme. In addition to educating stakeholders on potential causes of food contamination, the SOPs outline specific responsibilities for all persons involved in midday-meal scheme implementation, including School Management Committees (SMCs), school principals, teachers, cooks and helpers, and local education officers. SMCs are responsible for ensuring that cooks and helpers undergo medical check-ups every six months. They are also tasked with overseeing the safe storage of raw ingredients, proper cleaning of utensils and plates, and maintaining hand-washing facilities in schools to ensure students wash their hands before meals. For contractors supplying raw ingredients for the midday meals, local education inspectors are directed to inspect storage facilities monthly. If a facility is found unclean, the contractor will be fined Rs50,000, which can increase to Rs 1 lakh if the premises remain unhygienic during a second inspection. While these SOPs aim to tighten oversight and prevent mishaps, teachers point out that effective implementation is a challenge, especially in rural parts. 'If anything goes wrong, the school is held responsible. These SOPs now also hold education officers accountable, which is welcome, but what we need is effective implementation,' said a school principal from Palghar.
Express Tribune
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
K-P launches drive to educate 80,000
In a bold move to transform the province's education landscape, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government today launched its new 'ILMpact' initiative. Developed in partnership with the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented through the British Council, the programme is designed to enroll 80,000 out-of-school children across eight districts and uplift the overall standard of education. The launch event, held at the Chief Minister's House, was attended by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Provincial Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Faisal Khan Tarakai, British Council Country Director James Hampson, and senior officials from the Elementary and Secondary Education Department, along with representatives from various partner organizations. Enrolling thousands, reaching the underprivileged Spanning the districts of Battagram, Mansehra, Swabi, Buner, Shangla, Khyber, Mohmand, and Dera Ismail Khan, ILMpact seeks to address the long-standing challenge of high numbers of out-of-school children in the province. Master trainers are set to spearhead the modernisation of teacher training, while capacity-building efforts will extend to Parent-Teacher Councils and School Management Committees in government schools. A central tenet of the programme is its focus on vulnerable groups, girls, underprivileged and special-needs children, and those from minority communities. An accompanying campaign will raise awareness, particularly regarding the importance of girls' education, a cause that Chief Minister Gandapur passionately underscored. A commitment to quality education At the ceremony, Chief Minister Gandapur reaffirmed his administration's pledge to not only widen access to education but also to enhance its quality. "Our government's mission is not just to provide education but to ensure the provision of quality education. From the outset, we have prioritised providing missing facilities in schools," he said. Gandapur added that the government has set an ambitious target for the current year: every child in a government school will have access to a chair and desk, with funds already allocated to meet this goal. The chief minister also linked the ILMpact programme to broader education reforms in the province. "Only an enlightened nation can stand on its own feet, and awareness comes through education. Our focus on girls' education ensures that only an educated mother can raise an educated nation," he remarked. In what officials described as an "education emergency," the provincial government has earmarked 21 per cent of its total budget for elementary and secondary education this year.
New Indian Express
29-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Andhra's mega parent-teacher meeting sets Guinness Record
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has etched its name in the Guinness World Records by successfully organising the world's largest Parent-Teacher Meeting (Mega PTM), held simultaneously across more than 61,000 government schools in the State. The landmark achievement was formally announced by Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday, who credited the feat to the unwavering commitment of teachers, education officials, students, and the wider community. According to Guinness World Records, over 53.4 lakh parents and teachers participated directly in the event. When including students, alumni, School Management Committees (SMCs), education volunteers, donors, and public representatives, total participation crossed 1.5 crore (15.2 million), making it the largest gathering of its kind ever recorded globally. The Mega PTM is part of the government's larger mission to revitalise public education by improving infrastructure, integrating digital tools, enhancing transparency, and fostering community ownership. Under the AP Model Schools initiative, the state is working toward a futuristic, inclusive education system that aligns with its broader vision of becoming a global hub for knowledge and innovation, referred to as 'Quantum Valley.' To ensure credibility and scale, each school was required to submit detailed participation evidence via the LEAP App—a digital platform developed by the state government to streamline academic planning and performance monitoring. Schools uploaded three photographs, one video, verified participant counts, and witness reports. The verification process involved over 40 Guinness-appointed auditors who rigorously reviewed data submitted from the participating schools. Minister Lokesh emphasised that the achievement goes beyond numbers. 'This milestone reflects our commitment to making education a shared, community-driven effort. It is a tribute to the teachers who continue to be the backbone of this transformation,' he said. Samagra Shiksha Project Director B Srinivasa Rao hailed the recognition as a powerful endorsement of the reforms under way. He noted that the state is building a more equitable, quality-focused education ecosystem through inclusive initiatives and technology-led monitoring. The Guinness World Records certificate will be formally presented in the second week of August at a special event in Amaravati.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Andhra government aims for Guinness record with Mega PTM 2.0
VIJAYAWADA: The School Education Department is gearing up to organise Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) 2.0 on July 10, continuing the momentum from last year's historic gathering and aims to set a new Guinness World Record. Director of the Comprehensive Education State Project, B Srinivasa Rao, said in a statement that the State is aiming to bring together over 2.28 crore participants for this year's Mega PTM, surpassing the massive turnout of over one crore attendees recorded on December 7, 2023. 'The initiative is not just a PTM, but a festival of learning involving students, parents, teachers, alumni, School Management Committees (SMCs), donors, and public representatives,' Rao noted. In line with the Guinness World Records requirements, Rao clarified that each participating school must register a non-governmental witness to authenticate the event's legitimacy. These witnesses could be village sarpanches, MPTC members, retired government employees, local donors, former students, or any other individuals from within the school. The witness registration is to be completed exclusively on the LEAP app, and it is mandatory for schools aspiring to be part of the Guinness record entry. 'The witness should not be a government employee, and this process is only for verification purposes, with no other motive,' Rao said. 'The success of this initiative lies in teamwork. Teachers, education officials, and the public must join hands to make this spiritual gathering of education a milestone,' he said.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Education foundation of developed society: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, ET Education
Advt Advt Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that education is the foundational pillar of a developed society and a progressive state. He emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always given special importance to schools, teachers, and the second day of the Kanya KelavMahotsav and Shala Praveshotsav 2025, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Beej, Chief Minister Patel visited the Primary School in Pundrasan village, Gandhinagar district. He welcomed 197 children into the school by gifting them educational kits. The Chief Minister also interacted affectionately with the young children, encouraging them to pursue learning with enthusiasm, said highlighted that to raise awareness about the importance and necessity of education and to build an educated future generation in Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi launched the statewide Shala Praveshotsav initiative in 2003. As a result of this sustained effort, parents and communities today have come to deeply understand and value the role of Chief Minister stated that the Gujarat Government has launched several education-focused schemes to ensure no child is deprived of schooling due to financial challenges. He urged parents to utilise these schemes and take responsibility for their children's education. He noted that government schools are now equipped with modern facilities, such as smart classrooms, and that improved teaching methods have led many students to shift from private to government schools. The Chief Minister also highlighted that communities are actively working to promote education, with the state government extending full support to such Chief Minister emphasised that teachers and School Management Committees (SMCs) should work with dedication and thoughtful planning to transform their village schools into model institutions by enhancing the quality of education. He also urged parents to ensure that their children attend school regularly and to provide active support for their learning. He stated that these children represent the future generation of Gujarat and will play a vital role in building a Viksit Bharat through a Viksit Minister Patel welcomed 197 children into school at Pundrasan Primary School, including 53 from Anganwadi, 54 from Balvatika, 48 from Class 1, and 42 from Classes 8-9. He also felicitated nine outstanding students for their excellence at various levels. He also visited the school's smart classroom, planted a tree, and heard inspiring speeches from students on girls' education and social event was attended by Gandhinagar South MLA Shri Alpesh Thakor, District Education Committee Chairperson Hansaben Patel, Pundrasan village Sarpanch Punaji Thakor, Gandhinagar District Collector Mehul Dave, District Development Officer Shri BJ Patel, and other officials, villagers, and students.
