The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a directive requiring all affiliated schools to establish ‘Composite Skill Labs’ to strengthen skill-based education in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE). These labs are intended to provide students with practical learning opportunities, better equipping them for various career paths and entrepreneurial ventures.

As per the directive, schools must set up either a single Composite Skill Lab of 600 sq ft for classes 6-12 or two separate labs of 400 sq ft each—one dedicated to classes 6-10 and the other to classes 11-12. This facility is now a compulsory requirement for schools seeking new CBSE affiliation or renewing their existing affiliation. Schools that are already affiliated with CBSE must comply with this mandate and establish these labs within three years.

The NCF-SE underscores the importance of offering students hands-on learning experiences and projects that align with their chosen skills. The development of well-equipped skill labs and vocational training centres is crucial to fostering an environment that supports practical learning and the development of essential skills.

Image Source- www.cbse.gov.in 

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CBSE’s initiative reflects a broader commitment to enhancing the quality of education and ensuring that students are well-prepared for the diverse opportunities that lie ahead. The establishment of these Composite Skill Labs is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving these educational goals.

The University of Southampton has been granted a licence by the Indian government to establish a comprehensive campus in India, marking a significant milestone in the internationalisation of education. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the university’s plans to offer high-quality education, research, knowledge exchange, and enterprise within the country.

This forthcoming campus aims to produce world-class, work-ready graduates equipped with both specialised and transferable skills. It will engage in research and knowledge exchange in collaboration with local universities, industries, and government bodies, applying these insights to generate tangible social and economic benefits. The university’s focus is on fostering an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit in India, as highlighted in their official press release.

Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, commented, “In the 21st century, no university can truly be global without engaging with India. Our goal is to establish a campus that contributes to both India and the University of Southampton by merging our world-class expertise in education, research, and knowledge exchange with the immense talent of this rising global superpower.”

Professor Andrew Atherton, Vice-President International and Engagement, added, “University of Southampton Delhi NCR will be the first comprehensive international campus in India. It will promote academic collaboration and introduce an international perspective to the Indian higher education system, offering students the opportunity to earn a top 100 global degree within the country.”

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Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “The new University of Southampton campus will be a hub of world-class education and innovation. This collaboration will not only enhance educational excellence but also allow more British students to experience living and studying in India, further strengthening the unique bond between our two nations.”

Alison Barrett MBE, Director India at the British Council, remarked, “The University of Southampton’s decision to establish a campus in India reflects the strong educational partnership between India and the UK. This development aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020 and underscores the power of education in building cross-cultural understanding and a brighter future for young people.”

Odisha has launched the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA), a significant initiative aimed at elevating the state’s higher education sector. The programme was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the state and the Union Education Ministry, in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan, and state Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.

This initiative will see the central government contribute Rs 500 crore towards the development and infrastructure of higher education institutions across Odisha. Minister Pradhan hailed August 31 as a momentous day for Odisha’s educational landscape, underscoring the programme’s alignment with the vision set forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the National Education Policy, 2020.

Key Aspects of PM-USHA

PM-USHA is designed to ensure access, equity, and excellence in higher education throughout Odisha. The Centre will provide 60 percent of the grants, with the remaining 40 percent covered by the state. This transformative initiative aims to enhance Odisha’s state universities into world-class institutions, equipped with the tools to impart 21st-century skills.

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Chief Minister Charan emphasised the programme’s goal of upskilling one crore students and making Odisha a beacon of knowledge. Plans to grant autonomy to state universities were also announced, focusing on curriculum improvements, teacher training, and infrastructure development.

In light of the recent reports about sex-related crimes, it’s natural to ask, “How much worse can it get?” But, “How can we make it better?” is perhaps a better question. This article explores solutions that schools, educators, society, and we as individuals can implement. Ultimately, we have a choice: either remain trapped in a vicious cycle that fosters sex offenders or teach lessons of equality, empathy, and equity to shape a safer future for our country.

Rapists are not born, they are made. They emerge when seemingly normal actions subtly elevate men above the basic principles of humanity. For example, when boys are asked to sit with girls in schools as a “punishment,” when boys are not encouraged to form healthy friendships with girls, or when girls are told to dress a certain way, concealing their individuality and their skin, these experiences serve the dual purpose of making girls feel inferior and leading boys to believe that everything wrong with society is somehow related to women. If such harmful beliefs can be taught, then lessons of empathy, respect, and equality should be even easier to instil. Proper sex education, paired with eradicating the long-standing practice of asking only girls to adapt, can help dismantle these erroneous beliefs by promoting gender equality and mutual respect.

Gender-based stereotypes that focus on what a student ‘should’ do rather than what they ‘can’ do also create an implicit obligation to follow a set path, whether towards family, profession, or society. The human mind is a pattern recogniser—we see things and assume them to be the rule. Thus, when children see their parents taking responsibility for certain tasks at home, they assume this is what happens in every household, in every place. Parents need to constantly challenge gender stereotypes to prevent their children from learning them. By dividing kitchen duties, having both parents buy essentials, both making payments, and both participating in home repairs, parents can demonstrate that duties or jobs are not assigned by gender, thereby teaching gender equality.

Sex education is also seen as a crucial solution. We’ve discussed its importance, read about its significance, and debated its benefits. Yet, we’ve failed to give it the academic and societal attention it truly deserves. With children now having unprecedented access to technology, and experiencing both the wonders and horrors of the world, addressing this issue has become even more crucial. 

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While efforts have been made to make sex education a mandatory course for adolescents, many states have opposed the idea, altering the course content to suit their preferences. Some schools have even gone to the extent of substituting the word “sex” with “adolescent” in the curriculum. The lack of proper sex education only exacerbates unhealthy attitudes towards sex, allowing non-consensual encounters and gender-based violence to persist. A study conducted on American students found a 56% reduction in the likelihood of sexual assault among those who received comprehensive sex education compared to those who did not. (This study, along with many others, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, highlights the benefits of sex education, including a better understanding of consent, a decrease in unwanted pregnancies and STIs, and a reduction in sexual violence and marital rape.)

We have always waited for the government, society, and the elites to recognise problems and take action, but we often fail to realise that we are the ones who shape the government, society, and elites. When we unlearn these problematic ideologies, we create a society that doesn’t victim blame, takes serious action against heinous crimes, and welcomes people into workplaces based on their talents and merit, not on the sex they were assigned at birth. Education can either build or break the future citizens of a country. When we make these changes on our own level, we shape the future law-makers, law enforcers, and law-abiding citizens. The future is indeed in our hands.

This article is authored by Sanvi Agarwal, a Law Aspirant, passionate about women rights, gender equality, and social justice

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The Ministry of Education is commemorating the 4th anniversary of the National Education Policy 2020 with a week-long campaign titled “Shiksha Saptah.” On the final day, schools nationwide are focusing on enhancing community involvement in education through the Vidyanjali and Tithi Bhojan initiatives.

Vidyanjali: Strengthening Schools through Community Involvement

Vidyanjali, a school volunteer management program run by the Department of School Education & Literacy, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7th September 2021. This initiative aims to improve the quality of education by involving the community, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the private sector.

As part of the Shiksha Saptah campaign, the Department of School Education & Literacy has suggested various activities for schools. These include onboarding schools to the Vidyanjali portal and identifying local volunteers. Schools will feature active volunteers on a “Wall of Fame” and encourage principals, teachers, and students to write letters of gratitude to these volunteers.

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Community awareness activities such as rallies, street plays, poster-making, and chart-making about volunteer activities are being organised. State- and district-level officials are actively participating to ensure the campaign’s success. These efforts align with the NEP 2020’s goal of increasing community participation in education.

The activities aim to build a strong support system for students and teachers, creating a better learning environment by bringing together schools, volunteers, and the community through the Vidyanjali portal (https://vidyanjali.education.gov.in/).

ThinkStartup, India’s leading entrepreneurship education platform, in association with the Management Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Council (MEPSC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE), announced the launch of the 4th edition of Youth Ideathon (YI24). This prestigious Innovation and Entrepreneurship festival aims to harness the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young minds across India.

The theme for this year’s Youth Ideathon is “iStartup a Good Thing for India.” The competition will be held in five stages, initially online, and is open to all school students in India, divided into Junior (Class 4 to Class 8) and Senior (Class 9 to Class 12) categories. Students will compete in teams of 3 to 5 members from the same school. The grand finale is set for October 6, 2024. Last year, the Ideathon attracted over 1.5 lakh students from more than 8,000 schools, and this year aims to see participation from over 2 lakh students across 10,000 schools.

Dr Biswajit Saha, Director (Skill Education & Training), CBSE, remarked, “Entrepreneurship is an essential pillar of the New Education Policy 2020, and the Youth Ideathon platform allows students to think bravely and showcase their talents.”

Mamta Kumari, Deputy General Manager, SIDBI, added, “Initiatives like Youth Ideathon 2024 nurture the entrepreneurial spirit among young minds, creating over 200 internships for school students in fields such as technology and digital marketing.”

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Shivani Singh-Kapoor, Co-founder of ThinkStartup, emphasised the importance of nurturing young talent, stating, “Youth Ideathon empowers the next generation by nurturing high-potential student ideas with incubation support.”

The competition is supported by industry leaders such as Esri India and MediaTek. Agendra Kumar, Managing Director of Esri India, noted, “Youth Ideathon channels the creativity of young minds towards addressing pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.”

Anku Jain, Managing Director of MediaTek India, echoed this sentiment, saying, “By supporting platforms like Youth Ideathon, we aim to generate more startups, create jobs, and cultivate groundbreaking ideas.”

Sanjeeva Shivesh, Program Director of Youth Ideathon, highlighted the new frugal startup challenge, offering Rs. 1000 cash to the top 500 teams to build a prototype or small venture.

Youth Ideathon 2024 also receives support from SheAtWork and BRICS CCI WE. Ruby Sinha, Founder of SheAtWork, stated, “Youth Ideathon addresses both SDG 4 and SDG 5 goals of quality education and gender equality.”

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Participants will receive certificates, with top teams competing for incubation grants up to Rs. 100,000. Special recognition will be given to teachers, mentors, and schools with high participation rates.

The higher education sector in India has seen a substantial increase in enrolment and rising equity over the past eight years, as revealed by the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22. The Economic Survey 2023-24, tabled in Parliament by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted that total enrolment in higher education surged to nearly 4.33 crore in FY22, up from 4.14 crore in FY21 and 3.42 crore in FY15—a remarkable 26.5% increase since FY15.

This growth has been driven significantly by underprivileged sections, including SC, ST, and OBC communities, with a notable increase in female enrolment across these groups. Female enrolment in higher education jumped to 2.07 crore in FY22 from 1.57 crore in FY15, reflecting a 31.6% rise. This growing equity in higher education is expected to translate into better employment opportunities for previously disadvantaged sections of society.

India’s educational landscape is vast, with 26.52 crore students in schools, 4.33 crore in higher education, and over 11 crore learners in skilling institutions. The National Credit Framework (NCrF), announced under the National Education Policy 2020 in April 2023, serves as the foundation of a regulatory structure that promotes lifelong learning.

The Economic Survey underscores the importance of mission-mode and cost-effective implementation of educational programmes, especially at the primary level. Effective public spending on education should focus on pedagogy and governance, including monitoring teaching quality, recognising teacher performance, and employing local volunteers to ensure students are taught at the appropriate level.

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India is making significant strides in research and development. The number of patents granted in FY24 nearly quadrupled from FY20, reaching almost 1,00,000. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), India had the highest growth in patent filings in 2022 at 31.6%. The country has improved its rank in the Global Innovation Index from 81st in 2015 to 40th in 2023.

Ph.D. enrolment has also surged, with an 81.2% increase from FY15 to FY22. Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) has more than doubled since FY11. The newly established National Research Foundation, ‘Anusandhan’, aims to bolster India’s R&D ecosystem with a significant financial commitment from the government.

India’s ascent in high-quality research is marked by its rise to 9th place in the Nature Index 2023, surpassing Australia and Switzerland. The government’s commitment to research and innovation is encapsulated in the interim budget of FY25, which includes a Rs. 1 lakh crore corpus for research, adopting the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan”.

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The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar has inaugurated a workshop for Vice Chancellors on the writing of textbooks in Bharatiya Bhasha for higher education in New Delhi. Organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti (BBS), the event saw the presence of eminent academicians, including Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Prof. Chamu Krishna Shastry, and Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar.

Dr. Majumdar emphasized the importance of developing study materials in Indian languages to reflect the country’s linguistic diversity and ensure accessible education. He highlighted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s role in inspiring youth and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for their visionary leadership.

Prof. Chamu Krishna Shastry and Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar shared insights on developing a Bharatiya Bhasha Ecosystem. During the valedictory session, Shri K. Sanjay Murthy launched three projects: ASMITA, Bahubhasha Shabdkosh, and Real-time Translation Architecture. These initiatives aim to produce 22,000 books in 22 scheduled languages, create a grand repository of multilingual dictionaries, and enhance real-time translation capabilities.

Over 150 Vice Chancellors participated in the workshop, organized into 12 groups to plan and develop textbooks in 12 regional languages. The discussions focused on creating new textbooks, establishing standard vocabularies, and improving current textbooks with an emphasis on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). The event concluded with a Q&A session addressing queries from participants.

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