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Webinar: School & Infrastructure Experts Discuss The Future of Learning Spaces

Schools in India are getting ready to reopen, what will they look like post-COVID lockdown? Here’s our webinar exploring the Future of Learning Spaces – the new pedagogy, the govt. policies, and the changes in infrastructure. Read on.

Published

4 years ago

September 10, 2020

Apoorva Chakravarty

This webinar was conducted with 5000+ viewers on 9th September 2020 by ScooNews, in collaboration with Godrej Interio, that discussed the Future of Learning Spaces when the school will reopen.

(MODERATOR)

Dr Arunabh Singh, Director Nehru World School, Chairperson FICCI Arise, Western UP

(SPEAKERS)

Mr Sameer Joshi, Head, Workspace Research & Ergonomics, Godrej Interio

Ms Meena Murthy Kakkar, Design Head & Partner, Envisage

Dr Swati Popat Vats, President, Podar Education Network

Ms Geetika Bahuguna, COO (Services), Millennium Education Management Pvt. Ltd

Mr Himmat Singh Dhillon, Headmaster, The Lawrence School, Sanwar

Excerpts

Dr Arunabh Singh: How do you see the network of Millenium schools when they would reopen? What kind of pedagogical shifts would it require?

Geetika Bahuguna: Let me start by telling you what we are currently doing. According to us, the change has to happen in 2 phases and we have covered the 1st phase of preparing the schools for this shift. Millenium schools have very strong learning philosophy, culture, curriculum and infrastructure which helps the learning approach. But since the lockdown, the use of infrastructure that helped in not only academic learning but also skill-based learning was out of the window, we created virtual portals. With the help of teachers, matter experts and mentors, we also updated accordingly.

When NEP came out, we mapped out a 10-year-old 5E learning approach that is used in millennium schools with the NEP and realised we were already 80 % there. So what we have planned for reopening is that only 33 % of total students would come to school for 2 days a week. This will bring that socio-emotional bonding back between the teacher and children. Because even when children are cognitively learning at home and the virtual portals are working fine, the emotional connect is still left out. Reopening would bring that back and let us use the infrastructure along with the virtual learning modules, that are carefully drawn, to help in the kind of learning millennium schools believe in.

Arunabh Singh: In your opinion, what would you say the schools would require when they reopen?

Sameer Joshi: We carried out a survey of 350 students and parents for teachers and schools to understand their mindset in terms of online learning and for when schools may reopen. What is interestingly surprising is that 33% of parents do not wish to send their wards to school anymore out of concern for their safety. And this is understandable when you look at the office/school spaces, they weren’t initially built to stop the spread of infection but to bring people together. So the main concern comes down to infrastructure.

Another one is staggering timing of crowd amongst the campus. What school basically need to do is not only create safer spaces but also be visually communicative of the safety measures they are taking for students as well as teachers.

There need to be several interventions regarding a variety of points like protocols, isolation (in case needed), safety procedure and whatnot. We have come up with a summary that gives out the possible interventions that are emerging as a critical need for the schools, both for online and on-campus studies.

Dr Arunabh Singh: How are you planning to regulate 4-5-year-olds when schools reopen?

Dr Swati Popat Vats: Reopening of schools and educational institutes is going to be the new normal because schools that we knew of do not exist any more. There will be a new kind of reality in schools. As for children, we should remember that since the last 6 months, they are no more in a habit of ‘sitting’ in one place. But as the schools reopen, they will be expected to ‘sit,’ not move around and be socially distanced. For this, we have realised that the ‘Bubble Format’ has been very useful, we are seeing that in schools abroad. It is not a literal bubble but a group of children with one teacher, they do not interact with another group or teacher. What will be challenging is that Indian schools have more number of students so not all of them will be able to attend at once. And for those bubbles to remain non-contagious, we will have to make sure to keep an eye on no-exchange of items amongst children, no close proximity contact, etc. It will be difficult and challenging, a lot of activities like playing with sand/water will not be possible in the beginning in order to keep safety a priority.

What can be done to ensure this includes:

Proper training of the staff so they do not become too obsessed over a lot of things and stress unnecessarily.
Parent-partnership is going to be very important.
To open early schools at the last after older classes have reopened and it is been studied how things are going.
The physical structure of the classroom to keep it safe and comfortable for the children to sit for a longer duration as they are not used to it anymore.

What might help parents and children, is virtually getting used to the transition before physically getting used to it.

Dr Arunabh Singh: What are the expected changes for residential schools like The Lawrence School?

Himmat Singh Dhillon: In every crisis, there is a hidden opportunity! What is requite is infrastructure and space currently which we have. Having said that we have come up with SOPs during all this time we had. According to which there will be staggered induction of some grades like class 12, there are going to be decontamination zones, holding areas for quarantine and a set process of integration for students as well as teachers that will be a minimum of 14 days. We are very thankful to have received guidance from the secretary of education who is our chairperson and have had collaboration like, Indian Public School Conference to map out a do-able, well thought out SOP. As for the common areas, there will be no congregation allowed whether, during meals or breaks, masks and shields will be mandatory. Sanitization of not only hands but of common area, surfaces, items will be a priority, children and teachers will not come in face to face contact with the cleaning crew and all the staff members will have Aarogya Setu apps. We are going to set the classrooms and dormitories in a way that abides with the 6-feet distance rule and further bring similar changes to the safety of children and teachers.

Dr Arunabh Singh: As an architect, what do you think are the areas of schools that need more analysis after this pandemic?

Meena Murthy Kakkar: It is extremely important to understand the demographic population of a school, concerns will vary accordingly. A meticulous training of the staff is significant to equip them for the reopening of schools. Space layout and circulation is to be chalked out literally to avoid overcrowded routes for students and teachers. And of course, individual class/activity room layouts need to be looked at as well. Process of functioning will have a lot of administrative part in it apart from design.

What usually gets looked over at is the building’s services and ventilation, we need the already present air to be cleaner apart from all the sanitization of spaces and materials. A critical look at technology and communication is required as well.

More importantly, a health audit of the building should be done before putting in expenditure in all the redesigning, to check what already is available. And after all that we do not want the schools to look like hospitals, we need to address the fears of children and parents in order to encourage them to come back.

Dr Arunabh Singh: How are classrooms going to provide that feeling of collaboration under these social distancing times and norms?

Geetika Bahuguna: Collaboration is of two kinds physical and mental, we are leaning towards the mental collaboration where a child is able to share thoughts connected with the idea and exchange views because that is how learning happens. At the bottom line comes the training of children and teachers because once the students are in school, it is a whole different play so we are planning to start with the senior lot.

Dr Arunabh Singh: What is your advice for people who run early childhood schools?

Dr Swati Popat Vats: Firstly please stop calling them pre-primary, that brings the focus on preparing them for primary and removes it from the Early Childhood category.

Second training and mock drill before children come back is going to be extremely necessary.

Lastly, it is prime to have parents trusting you and feeling safe with leaving their children with you so parent-partnership is going to be of utmost importance.

Dr Arunabh Singh: How would you bring the parents to trust and feel safe in sending their children to residential schools?

Himmat Singh Dhillon: Faith can only be there when there is communication and trust. There has to be a relationship with the parents. To do so, we share as much as possible with them, students and all the stakeholders. We would also share the SOPs and would invite suggestions as to what more can be done for the children once they are back at the campus.

I would also like to say that there are two ways of looking at a residential school. One, it is isolated during this pandemic and two, there is not yet a single case on the campus. All we want to tell the parents is that we will leave no stone unturned in taking care of them.

Arunabh Singh: What is your advice to people who are starting to design a school?

Meena Murthy Kakkar

Look at the indoor air quality, pressure intake and circulation. Do not restrict learning to authentic style classroom, make sure to incorporate open spaces into the building.
Multiutalitarian spaces are needed, especially in these social distancing times. Flexibility is the new buzz word in school design.
Incorporate technology into the system. The learning took a paradigm shift recently and some of the technology and online learning is here to stay along with the tech tools, do not avert from them, instead accept them.

Dr Arunabh Singh: What can we expect from companies like Godrej Interio, what can we expect to learn from White Paper?

Sameer Joshi: Investment in the flexibility of infrastructure, design and other areas seems to be the way forward. What White Paper deals with is what was just discussed here – the generic problem; what changes do I make; how do I take care of safety, etc. It provides guidelines based on survey and research on a vast number of queries.

Earlier, we came out with another White Paper that dealt with the health and wellness of teachers, where a survey of 600 teachers was done. We need to add that extract of health and wellness to dimension as well.

To contact Godrej Interio for school infrastructure, just go to the website and put in the contact info and the team will reach out to you.

Dr Arunabh Singh: What must be done if a child tests positive for COVID?

Dr Swati Popat Vats: So, if a child is positive, the entire bubble should be quarantined. If more than one child is positive, the entire school should be closed and quarantined for at least 14 days. Surely, our government will come out with guidelines as well. Meanwhile, what schools must remember is to be transparent and not hide if a positive case is found. Reporting the case is important, do not worry about reputation, you will not lose anything for being straightforward but you might lose if you do not come out clean.

Dr Arunabh Singh: What about school in semi-urban settings?

Dr Swati Popat Vats: Local governments will have to be reached out to in case of all the budget-related constraints. Reach out to ECA & NAPER if you need trained staff or need parents to understand what to expect during these times, etc.

Dr Arunabh Singh: Apart from all this, there is a 5-page SOP that has been launched and it shows several demographics and geographical variations that were kept in mind. Check it out.

Sameer Joshi: There is a lot of anxiety about it, but we need to give that positive message that it will be better now. Yes, a lot of interventions are required; people, process, workspace framework, all of it goes hand in hand. But with these difficulties, training, preparations and much more, we would go back to school for sure. As one of the principals said during the White Paper survey, “We build citizens of India, we instil discipline in them, we build morals and teach them a whole lot of things; it is just not about only textbooks and exams, there is no alternative to going back to schools.”

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June 26, 2024

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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.

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.

(Source- PTI)

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Ladakh Celebrates Achieving Full Functional Literacy

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6 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Team ScooNews

Image Source- PIB

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.

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.

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Ministry of Education Launches Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions Campaign

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June 25, 2024

Team ScooNews

Image Source- Envato Elements

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.

For more information, refer to the ToFEI Manual.

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NIIT Foundation and UNICEF YuWaah Empower 5,000 Women and Girls through Data Literacy Training Programme

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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:

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.

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Goa to Introduce Uniforms in Government Colleges

Published

1 week ago

June 18, 2024

Team ScooNews

The image is generated using AI

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.

Source: The Indian Express

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PeakMind Report: 47% of Delhi/NCR Students Battle Sleep Problems Amid Growing Mental Health Concerns

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June 17, 2024

Team ScooNews

Image Source- Pexels

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.”

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.

Education

UGC Unveils Flexible Curriculum and Credit Framework for PG Programmes

Published

1 week ago

June 17, 2024

Team ScooNews

Image Source- Envato Elements

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a revamped curriculum and credit framework for postgraduate programmes, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This new framework offers flexibility and mobility by allowing Indian universities to admit students twice a year and enabling students to opt out after the first year of a two-year programme. The framework is designed to cater to the evolving educational needs, providing diverse options such as one-year and two-year PG programmes, PG diplomas, and integrated five-year Bachelor’s/Master’s programmes.

UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar emphasized that this initiative aims to provide students with more freedom and choice in their academic paths. “The framework, with no discipline-specific entry requirements, outlines the credits and academic structure for both one-year and two-year PG programmes. Flexibility and mobility are its key features,” Kumar stated.

The key aspects of the new PG curriculum framework include the ability to change disciplines, options for students to choose courses based on their interests, and flexible learning modes (offline, online, hybrid, and ODL). The framework also introduces the Academic Bank of Credits to facilitate mobility, credit transfer, and multiple entry and exit points in academic programmes.

Eligibility for PG programmes will be based on the completion of relevant undergraduate majors or minors, with admission criteria involving performance in UG courses or entrance examinations.

This progressive move is expected to enhance student enrolment, reduce wait times, and align Indian higher education with global standards, fostering better international collaborations and student exchanges.

You can access the official circular here.

Education

Ministry of Education Takes Initiatives for Menstrual Hygiene of Students During Board Examinations

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2 weeks ago

June 14, 2024

Team ScooNews

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The Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, has introduced a series of proactive measures to support female students during the 10th and 12th Board Examinations. Recognizing the challenges posed by limited access to sanitary products and menstrual hygiene facilities, DoSEL has issued guidelines to ensure the health, dignity, and academic success of girls across all schools, including Central Board of Secondary Education, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti.

Key initiatives include providing free sanitary pads at all examination centres to ensure girls have access to essential hygiene products during exams. Additionally, female students will be permitted to take necessary restroom breaks to address menstrual needs, alleviating discomfort and promoting focus during exams.

To further support menstrual hygiene management, educational programs will be implemented to raise awareness about menstrual health and hygiene among students, teachers, and staff. This initiative aims to reduce stigma and foster a more understanding and supportive school environment.

By addressing menstrual hygiene concerns during exams, DoSEL emphasizes the importance of treating female students with dignity and respect, empowering them to confidently participate in examinations and achieve their academic potential.

Education

The NEET Debacle: Understanding the Issue and Looking Ahead

Published

2 weeks ago

June 13, 2024

Dhruv Chhabra

Image Source- ANI

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has recently found itself at the centre of a significant controversy concerning the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2024. This examination, pivotal for aspiring medical students, has been marred by issues surrounding the awarding of grace marks to 1,563 candidates due to a loss of examination time. The Supreme Court has since intervened, and the situation has evolved rapidly. Here, we dissect the events that led to this debacle and explore the steps being taken to address it.

The Emergence of the Controversy

The NTA conducted the NEET UG 2024 across 571 cities, including 14 international locations, on May 5. This year’s results, announced earlier this month, revealed an unprecedented 67 candidates achieving a perfect score of 720/720. This exceptional performance raised eyebrows and led to scrutiny over the fairness of the examination process.

Concerns were specifically raised regarding the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates who experienced a loss of exam time. This decision led to petitions being filed with the Supreme Court, demanding the cancellation of the results and questioning the integrity of the examination process.

The Committee’s Formation and Findings

In response to the uproar, the Ministry of Education and the NTA constituted a special four-member committee. This committee included a former UPSC chairman, a member from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), a representative from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and another UPSC member. The committee’s task was to review the circumstances under which grace marks were awarded and to recommend a course of action.

Supreme Court’s Intervention

The Supreme Court, upon hearing the petitions, was informed by the NTA that the grace marks awarded to the 1,563 candidates would be cancelled. Instead, these candidates would be given the option to retake the examination on June 23. Those opting not to retake the exam would have their results based on the actual marks they scored without the grace marks.

The Decision to Retest

The NTA’s decision, as presented to the Supreme Court, means that the scorecards issued on June 4 for the affected students will be withdrawn. These students will now receive their actual scores, sans compensatory marks. For those who choose to retake the exam, their new scores will replace the original ones. The results of the retest are expected to be announced before June 30, ensuring the counselling process scheduled to begin on July 6 remains unaffected.

Key Dates and Processes

Retest Date: June 23, 2024
Result Declaration: Before June 30, 2024
Counselling Begins: July 6, 2024

Details of the Controversy

The NEET UG 2024 saw around 39 lakh candidates register, with approximately 24 lakh of these for the Class 10 exams. The affected examination centres included locations in Chhattisgarh (Balod and Dantewada), Meghalaya, Surat, Haryana’s Bahadurgarh, and Chandigarh. The decision to award grace marks was based on a normalisation formula derived from a 2018 Supreme Court judgment related to a similar incident in the CLAT exam. This formula adjusted candidates’ scores based on time lost and their answering efficiency.

The controversy over the awarding of grace marks arose from concerns that it led to an inflated performance, questioning the examination’s fairness. The committee, in its meetings, proposed that the scorecards of the affected candidates be cancelled and a retest offered to ensure transparency and maintain the examination’s integrity.

Government and Court Responses

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has come out in support of the NTA, asserting that there is no evidence of a paper leak and that allegations of corruption are unfounded. He described the NTA as a credible body and urged that the process be allowed to proceed without further disruptions.

The Supreme Court, for its part, has been keen to ensure that the retesting process is conducted smoothly and that the counselling and admissions processes are not delayed. It emphasised the importance of maintaining the timeline for counselling and admissions to avoid further complications for the candidates.

The Way Forward

The NEET UG 2024 controversy highlights the challenges in administering large-scale examinations and the importance of maintaining transparency and fairness. The NTA’s decision to retest the affected candidates is a significant step towards restoring trust in the examination process.

Candidates now have the option to either accept their original scores, minus the grace marks, or retake the examination. This approach aims to balance fairness with practicality, ensuring that students are given a fair chance while maintaining the integrity of the examination process.

As the situation unfolds, the focus will remain on ensuring that the retest is conducted smoothly and that all stakeholders are kept informed. The lessons learned from this incident will hopefully lead to improved processes and greater transparency in future examinations.

Education

UGC Allows Indian Universities to Offer Admissions Twice a Year

Published

2 weeks ago

June 11, 2024

Team ScooNews

In a significant policy shift, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved biannual admissions for Indian universities and higher education institutions, starting from the next academic year. Admissions will now be available in January/February and July/August, providing more opportunities for students who miss the initial cycle due to various reasons.

UGC Chairman Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar explained that this move will reduce wait times for enrollment, increase student motivation, and enhance employment opportunities by allowing industries to conduct campus recruitment twice a year.

Previously, biannual admissions were permitted for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online modes, which saw nearly half a million additional students enrolling. Encouraged by this success, the UGC extended the policy to regular mode programmes. However, adopting biannual admissions is not mandatory, and institutions must amend their regulations to accommodate this system.

As per the information furnished by the HEls on the UGC DEB portal, in addition to a total of 19,73,056 students were enrolled in July 2022 and an additional 4,28,854 students joined in January 2023 in ODL and online programs.

This change aligns Indian universities with global practices, potentially improving international collaborations and student exchanges. It is expected to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio and contribute to making India a ‘Global Study Destination’ as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.