Education

ScooReview: Watch ‘The Open Window’ to Sight The Differences Internet Has Made in Indian Students’ Lives

As India races to bring its entire population online, Deepa and Jaya, two girls from a low-income community in Delhi, are introduced to internet for the first time through an internet learning lab at their school.

Published

4 years ago

October 30, 2020

Lavanya Bahuguna

Internet is called big because it has all the books on it.

These are the words of Jaya, a teen girl living in Delhi, who thinks very differently of the internet. After all, it’s opened a new window to the outer world for her. In fact, her friend from school, Deepa, has a similar experience to share. The girls go to a local govt. school that is enriched with a SOLE (Self Organized Learning Environment) Lab, inspired by Professor Sugata Mitra’s philosophies.

SOLE is a program designed to support self-directed education (a model of learning with no teacher whatsoever) by Prof. Mitra, an education scientist, who coined this term back in 1999. The documentary The Open Window is inspired by his research and experiences based on his TED-sponsored project called ‘School in the Cloud’ – an approach that he developed following his maiden ‘Hole in the Wall’ experiments.

In ‘Hole in the Wall,’ the Professor made holes in the wall in the Kalkaji area of Delhi and placed computers in them. The placements were just three feet above the ground so that only children could access them with ease. He found it amusing that kids were browsing and downloading cartoon websites on their own.

Consequently, he learned that children are self-learners and they could do anything if the right equipment is handed over to them. This experiment gave rise to ‘School in the Cloud,’ which installs computer labs in schools in India and powers them with the internet, letting students learn without the help of an actual teacher.

Filmed over a course of three years, The Open Window was strategically released on 29th October 2020, commemorating 51 years of the internet’s birth. It focuses on the continued growth of the internet and its impact on the future of education in an Indian set-up.

The film’s protagonists Deepa and Jaya come from a low-income community in Delhi. The first time they’re introduced to the world of the internet at a School in the Cloud’s lab, their lives begin to change…for all the questions their families had no answer to until now could be found on a computer screen with just a click.

Their respective families have always lived in poor conditions, they are illiterate and know very less about the resources and rights destined for them. Unlike a lot of low-income families in India, the parents of these girls want their children to study and come out of the prison of poverty.

As the film progresses, we see the camera chasing the girls, tearing through the narrow lanes of their respective shanties. The crew also follows them to their School in the Cloud’s lab, where we see Ritu, lab’s Project Co-ordinator. Ritu has previously worked with Prof. Mitra and is now working diligently to make his dream of building a school in the cloud a reality.

“Children are born very inquisitive and intelligent. If you’ve technology and groups of children, just give them freedom. Then see what happens. It’s like swimming, you just go into it and there’s so much. Either you become a part of it or get overwhelmed by it,” says Ritu.

For Deepa and Jaya, the internet is like a literal window, bigger than what they’ve seen in their home or school. It takes them to new ideas and gifts them new perspectives. The facts unknown to them to date are now details in their notebooks that they’ve remembered by-heart. For example, currently, Deepa is learning all about Japan. She shows off a notebook to the camera with a world map pasted in it and calls it her first world tour. The pages are filled with a lot of information about Japan, like how far it’s from India, its currency, capital, musical heritage, anime, and the famous Sumo wrestling. She’s read it up on the internet. In fact, she’s taught her class teacher how the famous magnetic trains of Japan function.

The film, simultaneously, also serves as a reality. It subtly reveals the fate of many girls in several parts of India, of how they're not sent to school and instead get married off as soon as they hit puberty. So, just when Deepa is talking to Ritu about her dreams, her mother requests her to leave everything and make tea for her father who’s returned from work. In the meantime, the father tells Ritu how, amidst making the ends meet, he’s struggling to get his ambitious daughter a good tutor and a fresh pair of reading glasses to his younger son.

India may be raving about being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, but the truth is the percentage of children NOT benefitting from education is also aggregating. The Digital Divide is such that a majority of the families here don’t even have access to a smartphone, forget a good internet connection.

So when Prof. Mitra asks What is the future of learning?, our answers must come keeping the reality of all the Deepas and Jayas in mind.

Jaya’s family has seven members and when her father passed away, her mother took charge of the children’s education. She often takes up meagre jobs in order to feed her kids and save some money for their everyday schooling. “Children sometimes don’t understand the kind of efforts a parent makes. I have witnessed all kinds of days, sometimes I don’t eat in the evening so I can save some money. Hence, when my kids score low marks in exams, I feel sad,” she says with teary eyes.

13-year-old Jaya, who’s hoping to change the fate of her close-knit family, relies majorly on the School in the Cloud lab to educate herself on topics which are usually not included in her course books. “I enjoy going to the lab and searching for all the answers I’m looking for. The internet never tells me “Stop, I’m fed up,’” she shares.

Prof. Mitra says there are two skills that are very important in the 21^st century. Reading comprehension and internet skills. Once you’ve achieved them, there’s no stopping. Professor strongly believes that access to the internet can help kids read efficiently at a young age. “Learners learn best if they want to.”

His observation seems accurate as Ritu shares the evolution of Deepa and Jaya who are no more shy and timid. They’ve grown into more expressive, confident and communicative individuals.

“I see Constructivism – children are constructing their learning environment. And in the process, not only are they picking up academically, but non-academic skills as well. For example, values like being honest, truthful, being able to regulate their behaviour, motivating others, sharing, team-building, etc.,” informs a happy Ritu.

According to the SOLE team (responsible for School in the Cloud labs), the absence of teachers in a classroom is a no big deal, all it may need is a coordinator to maintain the decorum. If there’s no hand-holding, the internet can easily come to the rescue of students, replacing teachers’ knowledge with an internet connection. As much as it may sound alarming, it’s the truth. It’s the future. Prof Mitra declares, “Schools are already obsolete. The education system is not broken, it’s, in fact, wonderfully constructed. However, it’s just that we don’t need it anymore.”

As the film reaches its end, Deepa and Jaya have already passed grade 8 and the funding for the School in the Cloud also ends in their govt. school. Sadly, their school’s principal doesn’t wish to continue the SOLE lab anymore. This means the girls and their friends will no longer be able to access a huge database of knowledge. And if this continues, Prof. Mitra is afraid where these girls are going to go. “Because our society is structured in a way, unfortunately, that will try to make a maid out of Jaya more than anything else. Because that’s her destiny,” he speaks with a heavy heart.

Professor continues, “Almost everyone in India has a device, almost everybody is connected. Given the fact that there are 1.2 billion people in India, it’s not really a question of what the internet will do to India, it’s more a question of what India will do to the internet.”

According to Deepa, internet, television, newspapers are those little windows that open a new world to less-privileged kids like her. While living inside the temporary, tarnished walls of her small house, Deepa wishes to break the stern bars of pedagogical limitation one day, which is dividing India based on one’s financial status and caste.

“In India, the family is the whole world of a girl. But she gets a new world through the internet. A girl can learn anything, a girl can do anything with that knowledge…” are Deepa’s last few words at the end of the film.

The Open Window film emerged as a part of a multi-year research and film project exploring the growth of the internet in India. Over the course of three years, the team of filmmakers and philosophers spent many months travelling across India, exploring stories and insights surrounding the country’s on-going internet revolution – as hundreds of millions of new internet users came online for the first time.

The Open Window is the second film in a trilogy exploring the collaborative culture in the internet age. The first film Collaboration premiered in 2014 and is available to view at collaborativesociety.org. The third film in the trilogy, Medicine For All (working title), explores Open Source Pharma – a global movement of scientists, lawyers, and technologists working to develop new cures for Tuberculosis and other neglected diseases through collaborative, “open-source” approaches to scientific research. For more info on the Collaboratorium, visit the website https://www.collaboratorium.net/

You can watch The Open Window here http://openwindow.cc/, free for public viewing.

Producer & Director: Will Sloan, Daniel Oxenhandler and Alfred Birkegaard

Editor: Tim Kaminsk

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Education

Youth Ideathon 2024: CBSE Launches India’s Biggest Entrepreneurship Competition for School Students

Published

2 days ago

July 25, 2024

Team ScooNews

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.”

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.”

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.

Education

Internships in Top 500 Companies, Rs 5k Stipend for Youth: Key Highlights from the Education Budget 2024

Published

3 days ago

July 24, 2024

Team ScooNews

The image is generated using AI

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget 2024 yesterday, marking the first budget of the BJP-led NDA after Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third term. The budget introduced significant allocations aimed at bolstering education, employment, and skilling, with a notable allocation of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for these sectors.

Education Budget 2024: Rs 1.48 Lakh Crore Allocated

A new scheme offering internship opportunities at 500 top companies for 1 crore students over the next five years was one of the major highlights. Each student will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 and a one-time assistance payment of Rs 6,000. This initiative is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing practical experience to young learners.

“The government’s initiative to provide financial support for higher education loans up to Rs 10 lakh is commendable. This move will enhance accessibility to quality education,” said Dilip Gangaramani, Founder Director & CEO of Target Publications Pvt. Ltd. “The allocation of Rs 2 lakh crore for employment and skilling initiatives is also a positive step towards addressing youth unemployment.”

Major Employment and Skilling Schemes

The Finance Minister announced a substantial PM Package consisting of five programmes aimed at boosting employment and skilling, with a total allocation of Rs 2 lakh crore. Among these, Rs 1.48 lakh crore has been specifically allocated for education, employment, and skilling. The initiatives will skill 20 lakh youth over a five-year period, significantly contributing to the nation’s workforce by equipping young individuals with necessary skills to thrive in various industries.

25,000 Students to Avail Loan Benefits Every Year

The budget also introduced model skill loans. “Skilling loans – model skill loans schemes for up to 7 lakh rupees will benefit 25,000 students every year,” stated Finance Minister Sitharaman. This initiative aims to support students financially in acquiring necessary skills, thus enhancing their employability and career prospects.

“This year’s budget strikes a fine balance between fiscal discipline and drivers of economic and social growth. Enhanced initiatives on women empowerment and education underscore the focus on welfare schemes,” noted Dr Rakesh K Singh, Professor and Associate Dean – Academics at IMT Ghaziabad. “Structural reforms propose new policies to foster innovation and skill development in emerging areas such as AI and renewable energy.”

Comparison with Previous Budget

In the Union Budget 2023, the central government’s allocation for the education sector was Rs 1,12,898.97 crore, the highest allocation granted to the Ministry of Education at the time. The Union Budget 2024 reflects a strong focus on education, employment, and skilling, with significant investments aimed at creating a more skilled and educated workforce. The announced programmes and allocations are expected to drive improvements in educational infrastructure, job creation, and skill development across the nation.

“The government will also offer internships in 500 of India’s top companies. The companies can employ these interns through their CSR funds. As a support to employers, reimbursement of up to Rs 3,000 per month for two years towards their EPFO contribution for each additional employee will be provided,” stated Balkishan Sharma, Chairman & Founder at FVEG. “These new schemes aim to create new jobs and provide employment to well-educated youth.”

A Step Towards a Skilled Workforce

“The proposed comprehensive internship programme for one crore youth is a commendable initiative,” added Gangaramani. “These measures, if implemented effectively, can significantly boost India’s human capital development and contribute to a more skilled and employable workforce.”

The Budget 2024, with its focus on education, employment, and skilling, aligns with the nation’s developmental goals and is a welcome step forward in building a robust and future-ready workforce.

Education

Higher Education Enrollment Jumps To Nearly 4.33 Crore In FY22, Up 26.5% From FY15

Published

4 days ago

July 22, 2024

Team ScooNews

Image Source- TESS India

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.

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”.

Education

UNESCO Report Highlights Need for Boost in India’s Upper Secondary Education

Published

1 week ago

July 18, 2024

Team ScooNews

The recent UNESCO report, “SDG 4 Scorecard Progress Report on National Benchmarks: Focus on Teachers,” reveals that while India is excelling in primary education, the upper secondary education sector requires significant improvements. The report, published by UNESCO, shows that India’s primary education completion rate is at an impressive 94%, nearing its 2025 benchmark of 99%. However, the upper secondary completion rate lags at 51%, against the 2025 benchmark of 84%.

India’s performance in pre-primary participation is also notable, scoring 91%, close to its target of 95%. Conversely, the country struggles with out-of-school rates and lacks sufficient data to assess minimum learning proficiency accurately.

In terms of school internet connectivity, India is making average progress across all educational levels, indicating room for enhancement. The country performs well in the pre-primary teacher training sector, meeting its 2025 benchmark of 95%.

Overall, while India’s primary education sector is performing well, the secondary education sector, especially the upper secondary level, needs focused attention to meet the set benchmarks. The report highlights that 79% of countries have submitted national targets for SDG 4 indicators, with India making strides in some areas but still requiring significant efforts in others.

Education

Embracing Emojis in the Classroom: A Fun and Polite Approach to Modern Learning

Published

1 week ago

July 18, 2024

Dhruv Chhabra

The image is generated using AI

Today, on World Emoji Day, let’s celebrate these small, expressive icons that have become an integral part of our digital communication. While some argue that emojis threaten the sanctity of language, there’s a fun, quirky side to these tiny pictures that can actually enhance classroom interactions, making them more relevant, polite, and engaging.

Remember the thrill of getting a gold star on your homework? That star wasn’t just a sticker; it was a symbol of achievement, recognition, and encouragement. In many ways, emojis serve a similar purpose. They convey emotions and reactions succinctly and can add a personal touch to written communication. So, why not harness the power of emojis to make our classrooms more dynamic and student-friendly?

1. Enhancing Feedback: Traditionally, teachers use phrases like “good job” or “well done” to praise students. But imagine the added excitement if those words were accompanied by a clapping hands emoji 👏, a star ⭐, or even a trophy 🏆. Such visual cues can amplify the impact of positive feedback, making it more memorable and encouraging for students. Conversely, gentle reminders can be softened with a thoughtful emoji. For instance, a neutral face 😐 or a thinking face 🤔 could be used to indicate that a student might need to revisit a particular concept without causing undue stress or discouragement.

2. Encouraging Polite Communication: Emojis can also help maintain a polite and respectful tone in classroom discussions. For example, if a student disagrees with a peer, using a handshake emoji 🤝 or a smiling face 😊 can convey their differing opinion respectfully. This approach can foster a culture of kindness and consideration, crucial for productive and positive learning environments.

3. Making Learning Fun: Integrating emojis into lesson plans can make learning more interactive and enjoyable. Teachers can create emoji-based quizzes where students match emojis to historical events, literary characters, or scientific concepts. For example, an apple 🍎 and a book 📖 could be used in a quiz about famous inventors, prompting students to guess Isaac Newton. These activities not only make lessons more engaging but also encourage creative thinking.

4. Bridging Language Gaps: In classrooms with diverse linguistic backgrounds, emojis can serve as a universal language, helping bridge communication gaps. A thumbs-up 👍, a heart ❤️, or a smiling face 😀 can convey appreciation and support across different languages, fostering inclusivity and mutual understanding.

5. Digital Citizenship: As students increasingly navigate the digital world, teaching them about appropriate emoji use is crucial. Educators can incorporate lessons on digital etiquette, highlighting how emojis can enhance communication when used appropriately but can also be misinterpreted or cause misunderstandings if overused or used incorrectly.

6. Custom Emojis for Classroom Culture: Teachers can create custom emojis that reflect their unique classroom culture. For instance, a specific emoji could symbolize a class mascot, a special event, or a unique classroom achievement. This personal touch can strengthen the sense of community and belonging among students.

In conclusion, emojis are not a threat to language; rather, they are an evolution of it. They offer a unique and fun way to enrich classroom communication, making feedback more impactful, interactions more polite, and learning more enjoyable. So, on this World Emoji Day, let’s embrace these expressive icons and unlock their potential to make our classrooms brighter, kinder, and more engaging places to learn. 🌟🎉📚

Education

Workshop on Writing Textbooks in Bharatiya Bhasha for Higher Education Inaugurated by Dr. Sukanta Majumdar

Published

1 week ago

July 17, 2024

Team ScooNews

Image Source- PIB

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.

Education

Nurturing Natural Skills: Empowering Youth for the Future

Published

2 weeks ago

July 16, 2024

Team ScooNews

Image Source- Pexels

On World Youth Skills Day celebrated on 15 July globally, it’s essential to recognize the incredible potential children inherently possess. Children are naturally curious, energetic, and less afraid of taking risks—qualities that, if nurtured correctly, can form the bedrock of their future success. By identifying and developing these skills, we can empower them to become resilient and adaptable adults ready to face the challenges of the future.

Curiosity: The Catalyst for Learning

Curiosity drives children to explore, ask questions, and seek out new experiences. This innate desire to understand the world around them is a powerful tool for learning. Encouraging curiosity through inquiry-based learning and fostering an environment where questions are welcomed can significantly enhance their educational experience. For instance, project-based learning allows children to dive deep into subjects that interest them, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Energy: Channeling Enthusiasm into Productivity

Children are bursting with energy, which, when directed correctly, can lead to incredible productivity and creativity. Schools and parents can harness this energy by providing varied activities that challenge both mind and body. Extracurricular activities like sports, music, and arts not only keep them engaged but also teach them discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Moreover, incorporating movement into learning, such as through kinesthetic activities, can help maintain their focus and enhance memory retention.

Fearlessness: Embracing Risks and Learning from Failure

Children’s fearlessness and willingness to take risks are qualities that can drive innovation. Creating a safe environment where they can experiment, fail, and learn from their mistakes is crucial. By teaching resilience and the value of perseverance, we can help them develop a growth mindset. Activities that encourage trial and error, such as coding, robotics, and creative writing, can instill confidence and the ability to view failures as opportunities for growth.

Developing These Skills into Strengths

To turn these innate skills into lasting strengths, it is essential to provide continuous support and opportunities for development. Teachers and parents play a pivotal role in this process by:

Providing Diverse Learning Experiences: Exposure to various subjects and activities helps children discover their interests and strengths. This broadens their horizons and fosters a love for lifelong learning.
Encouraging Collaborative Learning: Group projects and team activities teach children the importance of collaboration, communication, and empathy. These skills are invaluable in both personal and professional settings.
Promoting Self-Reflection: Encouraging children to reflect on their experiences helps them understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This practice can build self-awareness and intrinsic motivation.
Integrating Technology: Leveraging technology in education can make learning more engaging and accessible. Interactive tools and resources can cater to different learning styles and keep children excited about their educational journey.

By recognizing and nurturing the natural skills of curiosity, energy, and fearlessness in children, we can transform these qualities into powerful strengths. This approach not only prepares them for future challenges but also equips them with the resilience and adaptability needed in a rapidly changing world. On World Youth Skills Day, let’s commit to fostering these attributes, ensuring that the youth of today become the innovative leaders of tomorrow.

Education

Celebrating Nikola Tesla: A Beacon for Transforming Education

Published

2 weeks ago

July 10, 2024

Team ScooNews

Nikola Tesla | Image Source- Encyclopedia of Humanities

Every year on July 10, people all over the world celebrate Nikola Tesla Day and think not only about the inventions of this great scientist but the core value of innovation and knowledge-seeking that Tesla embodies. His journey holds numerous lessons for modern education curriculum today.

Born on the tenth of July in the 1856 in Smiljan, Croatia, Nikola Tesla had an incredible curiosity from his early years. From a village boy to being among the most prominent inventors of all time, his story is an inspiring indication of the impact of creativity and hard work. Some of these include work done in alternating current systems, the invention of wireless communication, and early X-ray imaging to mention but a few. But what can we, as educators and stakeholders in the education sector, learn from the story of such an extraordinary person as Tesla?

Cultivating Curiosity and Imagination

Tesla’s success was driven by his boundless curiosity and vivid imagination. He often emphasized the importance of nurturing these traits, stating, “The gift of mental power comes from God, divine being, and if we concentrate our minds on that truth, we become in tune with this great power.” Encouraging students to question the world around them and imagine the possibilities beyond the obvious can foster a generation of innovative thinkers. Incorporating more open-ended projects and inquiry-based learning can help in this regard.

Embracing Failure as a Learning Tool

Tesla also had many failures and downfalls throughout his life, but he never let them stop him. He said “The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine.” Such an attitude towards failure is something that every student needs to grasp as it is the key to success. The implementation of a curriculum that embraces the process rather than the product, and encourages learning, experimenting, and perceiving failure as a part of overcoming a challenge is effective.

Hands-On Learning and Experimentation

Tesla’s approach to learning was hands-on. He believed in experimenting and learning from practical experiences. Modern education systems can draw from this by integrating more laboratory work, maker spaces, and real-world problem-solving activities into the curriculum. Students should be encouraged to tinker, build, and experiment, thus applying theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

Tesla was involved in a variety of professions including electrical engineering, physics, and several others. This is evident in his method of integrating different fields of discipline to show the need for a balanced curriculum. The modern school curriculum should discourage compartmentalization of knowledge and encourage students to work across disciplines, with the ability to draw on different knowledge bases to create and solve multidisciplinary problems.

Learning as an Ongoing Process

Tesla never stopped learning. Being an inventive man, he was always learning and implementing new concepts and ventures till his last days. This shows that we need a philosophy of lifelong learning that is crucial in today’s ever-changing society. Challenge students to look at their education not as a quest that has an end goal, but a process that goes on for as long as one is alive. This can be supported by education through encouraging learners to pursue education on their own and offering them resources where they can continue learning beyond formal education.

Nikola Tesla is an inspiring example of the fact that it is possible to change the world by making education based on curiosity, perseverance, practice, and feedback. On the day dedicated to the great inventor Tesla, it is important to reflect on his life, work, and ideas, and, as educators, try to develop young people not only knowledge but dreams and ambitions that can change the world.

Education

Maharashtra Government Announces Free Higher Education for EWS, SEBC, OBC Girls

Published

3 weeks ago

July 9, 2024

Team ScooNews

Maharashtra's CM Eknath Shinde | Image Source- PTI

Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in the state, the Maharashtra government has announced free higher education for girls from Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The policy, which also waives tuition and examination fees for orphaned students regardless of gender, was formalised through a government resolution (GR) during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The initiative will commence from the academic year 2024-25 and is projected to cost Rs 906 crore.

The GR states that female students seeking admission to recognised vocational courses through the Centralised Admission Process in government colleges, aided private colleges, semi-aided private colleges, non-aided colleges, polytechnic, autonomous government universities, and open universities will benefit from this scheme. The courses covered include those run by the departments of higher and technical education, medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, animal husbandry, pisciculture, and dairy development. However, students from private autonomous universities, self-funded universities, or those enrolling through management and institutional quota will not be eligible for the scheme.

Female students whose annual family income is Rs 8 lakh or less and who belong to the EWS, SEBC, and OBC categories are eligible for the fee waiver. Both new admissions and current students pursuing their degrees can avail of this facility. This initiative is part of a broader women-focused policy by the Maharashtra government, aiming to enhance educational access and opportunities for underprivileged female students in the state.

(Source- PTI)

Education

Chhattisgarh Introduces Local Language Primary Education in Tribal Areas

Published

3 weeks ago

July 8, 2024

Team ScooNews

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In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Chhattisgarh government has embarked on an initiative to provide primary education in local languages and dialects in remote tribal regions. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has directed the State Education Department to develop and distribute bilingual books in 18 local languages free of charge. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of educational resources and ensure that children receive education in their mother tongue or local language up to the fifth standard, as recommended by NEP 2020.

During the state-level ‘Shala Praveshotsav’ programme at Bagiya village in the tribal-dominated Jashpur district, Chief Minister Sai highlighted the importance of this initiative. He emphasised that providing education in local languages will not only improve educational outcomes but also help preserve local culture and traditions.

The ‘Shala Praveshotsav’ is an annual event aimed at encouraging school enrolment at the start of the academic session. This year, the event was moved from Raipur to Bagiya, the CM’s hometown, to underscore the significance of the new initiative.

An official from the Education Department mentioned that in tribal areas, primary school exams can now be taken in local languages and dialects. However, exams for higher classes will continue to be conducted in Hindi and English. This move is part of a broader effort to boost the literacy rate in Chhattisgarh, which currently stands at 70.28 percent, below the national average of 76 percent.