The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has launched a new English textbook for class 6 titled “Poorvi”. Unlike its predecessor, “Honeysuckle”, which predominantly featured stories by non-Indian authors, “Poorvi” includes nine prose pieces by Indian authors and five poems by non-Indian authors, as reported by the Indian Express.

This new textbook aligns with the National Curriculum Framework 2023 and the National Education Policy 2020, incorporating revised chapters that reflect an Indian context. The previous textbook, “Honeysuckle,” contained eight poems (seven by non-Indian authors) and eight prose pieces (five by non-Indian authors), along with stories by Indian authors Munshi Premchand and Ruskin Bond.

Significantly, the term “Bharat” appears for the first time in an NCERT textbook, mentioned 19 times in a chapter titled “Culture and Tradition,” while “India” is mentioned seven times. This chapter also features a section called “Hamara Bharat, Incredible India!” emphasising India’s identity as “Bharat.”

Additionally, “Poorvi” includes chapters on the uses of spices beyond cooking and the benefits of yoga, highlighting aspects of Indian culture and tradition. NCERT had initially planned to release new textbooks for classes 3 and 6 earlier this year but encountered delays. The class 3 textbooks are now available.

Advertisement

Joseph Emmanuel, Director (Academics) at CBSE, advised schools to adopt these new syllabi and textbooks for classes 3 and 6 in place of the previous NCERT textbooks until the year 2023, as per a statement to PTI.

Online self-nominations are now being accepted for the National Teachers’ Awards 2024 via the Ministry of Education’s portal until 15th July 2024. This year, 50 exemplary teachers will be selected through a three-stage process at District, State, and National levels. The prestigious awards will be conferred by the President of India on Teachers’ Day, 5th September 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Eligibility:

• School teachers and Heads of Schools from recognized primary, middle, high, and higher secondary schools run by State Govt., UT Administrations, local bodies, and Private schools affiliated with State/UT Boards.
• Teachers from Central Govt. Schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, schools run by the Atomic Energy Education Society, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, and those affiliated with CBSE and CISCE are eligible.

Objective: The award aims to recognize the unique contributions of outstanding teachers who have significantly improved the quality of school education and enriched their students’ lives.

For more details and to submit your nomination, visit the Ministry of Education’s portal.

Advertisement

Australia has more than doubled its international student visa fee from AU$710 (approximately ₹38,000) to AU$1,600 (approximately ₹86,000), a move set to significantly affect Indian students, who represent the second-largest group of international students in the country. The increase is aimed at curbing migration and funding key initiatives in education and migration.

Australia’s Home Minister, Clare O’Neil, stated that the changes, effective from July 1, 2024, are intended to restore integrity to the international education system and ensure a fairer migration system. This hike comes amidst other measures to curb the misuse of student visas and migration loopholes.

India remains a crucial source of international students for Australia, with 122,391 Indian students enrolled during January-September 2023, according to the Indian high commission in Canberra. The fee hike, therefore, is expected to have a significant impact on Indian students planning to study in Australia.

Recent measures by the Australian government to address migration issues include shortening the duration of temporary graduate visas, reducing age eligibility, and ending “visa hopping” practices. Additionally, the government had previously relaxed work-hour restrictions for student visa holders to address workforce shortages, but these restrictions were reinstated in June 2023, limiting work to 48 hours a fortnight while studying.

Advertisement

The increased visa fees will help fund several educational and migration initiatives, such as financial support for apprentices and their employers and the implementation of Australia’s migration strategy. Furthermore, the temporary skilled migration income threshold (TSMIT) has been raised from AU$70,000 (₹3,790,000) to AU$73,150 (₹3,960,000).

This significant fee increase reflects the growing value of education in Australia and the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its international education sector. Indian students planning to study in Australia will need to factor in these changes, which are significantly expensive, as they prepare for their higher education journey.

(with inputs from Reuters) 

Advertisement

Students from grades 9th to 12th, beneficiaries of Prerana, participated in an engaging career counseling session co-organized by Target Publications Pvt. Ltd. and Prerana, an organisation combatting human trafficking. The event, held at Prerana’s Night Care Center on Falkland Road, Mumbai, was led by Dr. Shantanu Deshpande, a distinguished career counsellor from Pune.

Dr. Deshpande, a doctorate in Management Science and BOLT awardee, provided comprehensive insights into various academic paths, including Science, Commerce, Management, and Humanities, highlighting the diverse job opportunities each field offers. He inspired students by sharing stories of celebrities and individuals who have overcome challenges.

The session also emphasised the importance of spoken English for interview confidence and suggested learning foreign languages like German and Japanese to enhance career prospects in teaching. The interactive nature of the session allowed the 50 attending students to actively participate and ask questions about their chosen paths.

Prachi Naik, Project Manager at Prerana, expressed gratitude for the valuable career guidance provided. “This session empowered our students with invaluable career guidance,” she said, highlighting the students’ active engagement and curiosity.

Advertisement

Tushar Chaudhari, Executive Director of Target Publications, remarked on the honour of partnering with Prerana. “This session undoubtedly equipped them with the knowledge and tools to choose their ideal career paths,” he said, thanking Dr. Deshpande for his contributions.

Dr. Deshpande expressed pleasure in conducting the session, noting the students’ interest in both courses and essential skills for future prospects. He conveyed his desire to stay connected with the students to support their future achievements.

Kozhikode in North Kerala, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, was officially declared as India’s first UNESCO ‘City of Literature’ on Sunday. This significant milestone was announced by State Local Self Government Department (LSGD) Minister M B Rajesh at an official event.

The state government also declared that June 23 will be celebrated annually as the ‘City of Literature’ Day of Kozhikode, starting next year. In October 2023, Kozhikode earned its place in the ‘Literature’ category of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Rajesh highlighted Kozhikode’s unique qualities, describing it as a city characterised by humanity, harmony, a strong sense of justice, and freedom of expression. “These core values have given birth to the vibrant art of Kozhikode,” Rajesh stated.

The minister credited the efficient functioning of the Kozhikode city corporation for securing the ‘City of Literature’ tag from UNESCO, surpassing cities with rich cultural histories like Kolkata.

Advertisement

On June 23, special awards will be announced in six categories, as per a statement issued by the LSGD. Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas also unveiled the logo of the ‘City of Literature’ by UNESCO during the event.

Rajesh visited the house of Jnanpith awardee M T Vasudevan Nair and presented the Diamond Jubilee award, instituted by the Kozhikode city corporation. Historically known as the city of Zamorins and later as Calicut during British rule, Kozhikode has long been a gateway to the coast for many foreigners and a cradle of the freedom movement in Kerala.

Kozhikode is also notable for hosting book festivals and has over 500 libraries, serving as a base for the literary activities of legendary Malayalam writer M T Vasudevan Nair for several decades.

Gwalior and Kozhikode are among the 55 new cities that joined the UCCN, acknowledged for their strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as part of their development strategies. While Gwalior made it to the list in the ‘Music’ category, Kozhikode earned its place in the ‘Literature’ category.

The UCCN now includes 350 cities in more than a hundred countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. The newly designated Creative Cities are invited to participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference in Braga, Portugal.

Advertisement

(Source- PTI)

Ladakh achieved a significant milestone on 24 June 2024, as Lieutenant Governor Dr. B.D. Mishra declared it the administrative unit to attain Full Functional Literacy under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. This milestone, celebrated at Sindhu Sanskritik Kendra (SSK) in Leh, reflects Ladakh’s commitment to empowering its citizens through foundational literacy, numeracy, and critical life skills, reaching over 97% literacy.

The event saw the presence of distinguished guests, including Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India; Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi, Joint Secretary; Dr. Mohd. Jaffer Akhoon, Chairman, LAHDC, Kargil; Shri Sanjeev Khirwar, Principal Secretary of School Education, Ladakh; and over 500 new literates and volunteers.

Dr. Mishra addressed the attendees, motivating new learners and volunteers to continue their educational journey. He emphasised the importance of parents sending their children to school and encouraged students to think beyond seeking jobs to creating them. He praised Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for introducing NEP 2020, which he said paves the way for the country’s future growth.

Shri Sanjay Kumar congratulated Ladakh on this remarkable achievement and assured continued support from the Ministry of Education to enhance the region’s school education system. He highlighted the ULLAS model’s reliance on volunteerism, facilitated through the ULLAS Mobile App, where volunteers teach non-literates without expecting rewards. Kumar shared inspiring stories of perseverance, such as taking exams in snowy conditions, underscoring Ladakh’s passion for literacy.

Advertisement

The ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), is a centrally sponsored scheme running from 2022 to 2027. Aligned with the NEP 2020, the scheme aims to empower adults aged 15 and above who missed out on schooling. It comprises five components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education. The vision of the ULLAS Scheme, “Bharat – Jan Jan Saakshar,” embodies the spirit of Kartvya Bodh and volunteerism, benefiting over 77 lakh people nationwide with over 1.29 crore learners and 35 lakh volunteer teachers registered on the ULLAS Mobile App.

The Ministry of Education has rolled out a nationwide campaign to create Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI). Recognising the severe health impacts of tobacco, which causes around 1.35 million deaths annually in India, the initiative aims to protect school students from tobacco exposure.

Aligned with the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), the campaign includes the implementation of the Tobacco Free Educational Institution Guidelines by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The Department of School Education & Literacy has developed a “ToFEI Implementation Manual,” launched on World No Tobacco Day, observed on 31st May 2024.

The Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy issued an advisory to all States and Union Territories to comply with the ToFEI guidelines. The advisory includes activities such as displaying ‘Tobacco Free Area’ signage, organising awareness programs, nominating ‘Tobacco Monitors,’ and ensuring no tobacco evidence within 100 yards of educational institutions.

The campaign also emphasizes the role of civil society in spreading de-addiction awareness through various means such as street plays, video films, and NGO talks. Schools are encouraged to engage with the School Management Committee, National Social Service, and Vidyanjali-School Volunteer Initiative to promote tobacco prevention.

Advertisement

For more information, refer to the ToFEI Manual.

NIIT Foundation, in collaboration with YuWaah (Generation Unlimited in India) at UNICEF, has launched a digital literacy training initiative aimed at empowering over 5,000 young women. This programme, delivered through UNICEF’s Passport 2 Earning (P2E) portal, focuses on skilling and employment pathways for young women from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and marginalised backgrounds.

The P2E programme is expanding in three districts in Odisha and two districts in Jharkhand, providing placement opportunities upon course completion. Sapna Moudgil, Director of NIIT Foundation, highlighted the importance of digital and data literacy, stating that it is predicted to be one of the most in-demand skills by 2030. She emphasised the programme’s role in overcoming societal and geographical barriers to create an inclusive learning environment.

Dhuwarakha Sriram, Chief of YuWaah at UNICEF, noted the critical need to equip young women from less privileged backgrounds with relevant skills for workforce entry. The partnership aims to enable 300 million young people by 2030, fostering financial independence and contributing to the country’s economic growth.

YuWaah is a multi-stakeholder platform formed by UNICEF and partners to prepare young people for productive work and active citizenship. By 2030, YuWaah in India aims to:

Advertisement

• Build pathways to socio-economic opportunities for 100 million young people.
• Facilitate 200 million young people in gaining relevant skills.
• Partner with 300 million young people as change-makers.

The Goa government has announced the introduction of uniforms for students in government and government-aided colleges from the next academic year. This initiative aims to “foster a sense of belonging” and “bridge socio-economic disparities” among students.

All principals of government and government-aided colleges under the Directorate of Higher Education are directed to implement the wearing of uniforms in their respective colleges for students enrolled under NEP (National Education Policy) programmes from the beginning of the semester of the academic year 2024-25.

A circular from the Directorate of Higher Education outlined several benefits of this directive, including creating an inclusive atmosphere, reducing distractions related to clothing choices, and preparing students for a professional environment. “It shall positively impact the educational environment in colleges. It shall foster a sense of belonging among students and can lead to a reduction in distractions related to clothing choices. It shall bridge gaps in the perceived socio-economic disparities among students by standardising attire, create an inclusive atmosphere where all students feel equal, irrespective of their background. It shall prepare students for a professional atmosphere, instilling a sense of responsibility and self-discipline,” said the circular.

The specific uniform designs will be determined by individual colleges, though the cost of uniforms is not covered under the assistance pattern.

Advertisement

Source: The Indian Express

Delhi, June 17, 2024: PeakMind, a leading mental wellness platform, has unveiled a comprehensive survey highlighting significant mental health challenges faced by students in the Delhi/NCR region. The survey, conducted among over 10,000 students nationwide, revealed that 28% of the respondents were from Delhi/NCR, providing valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by students in this area.

The survey identified several pressing mental health issues. Among the respondents, 36% reported excessive worrying or overthinking, 38% admitted to becoming easily annoyed and irritable, and 33% expressed experiencing little interest and pleasure in doing things. Additionally, 39% revealed feeling bad about themselves, and the most prevalent issue, affecting nearly half of the students, was sleep disturbances, with 47% indicating they were either unable to sleep or sleeping excessively.

Charu Lavania, Lead Psychologist at PeakMind, stated, “The mental health of students is a pressing concern, characterized by a myriad of challenges ranging from academic pressure to social and personal stressors. Anxiety, depression, and burnout are increasingly prevalent, impacting academic performance and overall well-being. The transition to adulthood coupled with societal expectations exacerbates these issues, often leading to feelings of isolation and inadequacy.”

Neeraj Kumar, Founder & CEO of PeakMind, commented on the findings, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions and support systems for students. He highlighted the alarming percentages of students experiencing anxiety, irritability, lack of interest, self-esteem issues, and sleep disturbances, calling for immediate action from educational institutions, parents, and mental health professionals. Kumar stated, “Implementing targeted interventions, providing access to counselling services, and raising awareness about mental health are crucial steps to effectively address and support the mental well-being of students.”

Advertisement

Kumar further stressed the importance of community involvement, stating, “Creating a supportive environment for students requires collaboration between educators, parents, and mental health professionals. Our goal is to empower students with the tools they need to thrive, both academically and personally. PeakMind invites educational institutions, policymakers, and mental health advocates to join hands in addressing these critical issues and supporting the mental well-being of students.”

PeakMind, grounded in expert-led research, is India’s digital platform exclusively dedicated to making students happy and successful. Utilizing advanced AI and chatbot systems, the platform enhances accessibility to professional support while ensuring complete privacy and deep personalization for greater efficacy. From identifying at-risk students to guiding daily journeys and teaching essential psychological skills for success, it aims to addresses the entire spectrum of mental health and well-being needs.