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Shikshak Parv 2022 inaugurated

Ministers of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi, Dr.Subhash Sarkar and Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh inaugurate Shikshak Parv 2022

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Ministers of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi, Dr. Subhas Sarkar, and Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh jointly inaugurated Shikshak Parv 2022.

Shikshak Parv is being celebrated to felicitate the Teachers and to take National Education Policy 2020 forward. The beginning of Shikshak Parv was marked by an inaugural conclave organised by the Ministry of Education, CBSE, AICTE, and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in New Delhi.

The Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi addressing on the occasion of Shikshak Parv 2022, in New Delhi on September 06, 2022.

While addressing the gathering Smt Annpurna Devi said that the teachers are looked upon as role models by children and they play an important role in shaping students’ characters and building a value-based society.

She further said that National Education Policy 2020 is a key initiative to help realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Panch Pran vision of a developed India by 2047.

She said that the Government of India is laying emphasis on teachers through its various schemes. Central schemes like Samagra Shiksha and PM-Poshan are aligned with the recommendations of NEP 2020. Under NEP 2020, teachers will have to work on the future action plan as per the concept of an integrated and multidisciplinary approach. Strong cooperation and coordination of a teacher is the key and inspiration for building the skills and character of the students, she added.

The Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh addressing on the occasion of Shikshak Parv 2022, in New Delhi on September 06, 2022.

Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh lauded the efforts of the entire fraternity and emphasised the implementation of NEP 2020. He further said that the teachers whether in schools or in higher education share a common goal and the objective of such honours was to recognize teaching distinction, best practices, academic leadership, and institution building.

The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Subhas Sarkar addressing on the occasion of Shikshak Parv 2022, in New Delhi on September 06, 2022.

Speaking on the occasion Minister of State Dr. Subhas Sarkar spoke about the National Teachers’ Day award and said that the interaction of recipient teachers with the Prime Minister has further motivated them and they will become true messengers and brand ambassadors of “Shikshit Bharat & Viksit Bharat.”

He also spoke about the PM SHRI schools initiatives announced yesterday by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, calling it a historic decision that will have a long-term impact on the education system. He appreciated the role of teachers in the lives of students and said that it is not only the students’ duty to obey the teacher but it is the duty of the teachers to review the needs of the learner. He also said that the National Education Policy 2020 is strengthening and making our education system more self-reliant.

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Ministers presented the “CBSE Honour for Excellence in Teaching and School Leadership 2021-22 awards” to 19 Principals and Teachers from CBSE-affiliated schools. These awardees were selected on the basis of academic and professional accomplishments, contribution to the community, innovative teaching practices, impact on comprehensive growth of students, and an interview with the national-level screening-cum-selection committee.

They also conferred AICTE’s National Technical Teachers Award 2022 to 14 faculty members including a supernumerary award in the PWD/ Divyang category selected after a rigorous, comprehensive, and three-phase evaluation by a team of distinguished experts, these 14 awardees have been selected from AICTE approved institutions in India.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) instituted the National Technical Teachers Award (NTTA) to identify and felicitate extraordinary teachers, teaching excellence, institutional leadership, innovativeness, and creativity.

Following innovative initiatives taken by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship were also launched:

  • Handbook for Early Detection of Mental Health issues in school-going children – This is a comprehensive handbook for hands-on training of teachers, counselors, and other stakeholders. The modular handbook evolved with several deliberations taken up by a committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. Jitendra Nagpal, Sr. Mental Health and Life Skills Expert.
  • Report on National Mental Health Survey – The Mental Health and Well-being of School Students — A Survey was conducted by Manodarpan Cell, DEPFE, NCERT between January-March, 2022 on 3,79,842 students from 36 States/UTs. The survey explores the perception of students from classes 6 to 12 on their mental health and well-being. Findings from the survey revealed that the majority of the students commonly experienced happiness and expressed satisfaction with school life, which declined as students moved to the secondary stage. Studies, examinations, and results were reported by students as causing anxiety. Yoga and meditation attempt to shift the way they think and writing journals were reported as frequently adopted strategies by students for coping with stress.
  • National Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Study report- National Education Policy (2020) gives paramount importance to the ability to read and write, and perform basic operations with numbers at the foundational level as it is an indispensable prerequisite for all future schooling and lifelong learning.  Attaining foundational literacy and numeracy for all children has thus become a national mission, under the NIPUN (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) Bharat. The FLN Mission aims to ensure that all the children by the end of Grade 3 achieve foundational learning standards by the year 2026-27.

    Foundational Learning Study covered approximately 86,000 grade 3 students from 10,000 schools. The Study sample included state government schools, government-aided schools, and private recognised and central government schools. More than 18,000 teachers participated in the research.  FLS was conducted in 20 languages which are being used as a medium of instruction in respective states/UTs. The Study assessed learning competencies at the foundational stage in the children and the findings will be used to plan systematic interventions. The study is quite unique as it is the first time in the entire world that oral reading fluency with comprehension and numeracy benchmarks based on Global Proficiency Framework is set for 20 languages with the largest sample ever for one-on-one basis assessment.

  • Screening Tools Mobile App for Specific Learning Disabilities and Glossary – A Disability Screening Checklist for Schools’ mobile app and booklet has been launched. Prashast covers 21 disabilities, including the benchmark disabilities as per the RPwD Act 2016. This initiative will facilitate early screening, leading to certification of children with disabilities, as per the provisions of Samagar ShikshaThe Prashast mobile app can be downloaded from the android play store. This app has been designed by NCERT with the support of a National Awardee School Teacher from Alwar, Rajasthan (Mr. Imran Khan).
  • Launch of Toy-based Pedagogy – The handbook for Toy-based Pedagogy has been designed to promote the integration of indigenous toys and its pedagogy into the curriculum of School Education, Early Childhood Care and Education, and Teacher Education. Mapping of skills, competencies, and learning outcomes with a variety of toys and games across the stages- foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary will help teachers to select or create age-appropriate toys for transacting different concepts in an integrated manner.
  • Handbook Shiksha Shabdkosh – The Department of School Education & Literacy has prepared a comprehensive Glossary of important terminologies in the area of School Education entitled Shiksha Shabdkosh. The Shabdkosh or Dictionary includes terms and references which are widely used by educationists, educational administrators, teachers, examiners, etc.

In addition to the above, the following two publications prepared by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship were also launched on the occasion:

  • Employability Skills Curriculum –The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) revamped the curriculum on employability skills in association with Quest Alliance, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and various other curriculum bodies within the MSDE ecosystem. More than 2.5 million students from over 15,600 government and private Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will benefit from the program which includes a revamped and expanded 120-hour curriculum in Hindi and English.  Some of the modules include an introduction to employability skills, digital skills, citizenship, diversity and inclusion, career development and goal setting, getting ready for work, and entrepreneurship. Variants of the curriculum of 30, 60, and 90-hour duration are also being launched for both long-term and short-term courses.

    The curriculum will provide three key benefits to learners: building a self-learning mindset, becoming career-ready in a post-pandemic world, developing awareness around new careers, and being equipped with 21st-century skills. It will also help educators to upgrade their skills for new-age classrooms and familiarize themselves with blended learning models. While physical books covering the revamped curriculum are being released now, digital copies for blended learning will be available soon.

    A facilitator guide will be provided to trainers so that they can teach the revamped curriculum using a blended learning module. A digital version of the student workbook is available on the Bharat Skills portal and Employability Skills portal. Additionally, MSDE and National Instructional Media Institute (NIMI) plan to publish these books for use by the state departments.

  •  One-click registration for IGNOU and NIOS courses for ITI candidates- MSDE signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to facilitate vertical mobility of ITI trainees enabling them to get 10th/12th certificate or pursue a degree programme, as per their need. A trainee can enroll in the NIOS programme of his choice by taking up an additional language course. The trainee is awarded a certificate which is equivalent to 10th or 12th, as the case may be, after completion of a course from NIOS. Similarly, the 12th pass ITI trainees can enroll in degree level programme from IGNOU. IGNOU has also recognized two-year NTC (after 10th standard), covering four subjects, as equivalent to 10+2 level for the purpose of direct admission to its undergraduate programmes.

In order to ease the process and facilitate seamless registration of ITI trainees for NIOS, IGNOU, and Apprenticeship, a One-Click solution has been provided through the trainee profile page on the DGTMIS portal of DGT. The DGTMIS portal has been integrated with NIOS, IGNOU and Apprenticeship portals through a two-way API.

A trainee has the option to register through the NCVTMIS portal or the individual portals of NIOS, IGNOU, or Apprenticeship. The trainee accesses his profile through the Trainee Profile page by entering his ITI Roll No., Father Name, and Date of Birth. The trainee is shown the option for registration to NIOS/IGNOU/Apprenticeship based on his academic qualification. He can select the option of his choice and register for the programme with a single click.

The Secretary School Education and Literacy, Smt Anita Karwal: Secretary, Higher Education, Shri Sanjay Murthy; Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Education, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal; Chairperson CBSE; Chairperson AICTE along with senior officers from the concerned ministries, departments were also present.

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Punjab Launches ₹2,000 Crore ‘Sikhiya Kranti’ Campaign to Upgrade Government Schools

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The Punjab government has launched a ₹2,000 crore campaign titled ‘Sikhiya Kranti’, aimed at upgrading infrastructure and basic amenities across nearly 12,000 government schools in the state. The 54-day campaign was officially launched on Monday by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alongside former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, at the School of Eminence in Nawanshahr.

As part of the initiative, government schools will be equipped with modern learning tools, clean drinking water, high-speed wireless internet, separate toilets for boys and girls, classroom furniture such as desks and chairs, and boundary walls to ensure safety and improved learning environments.

The campaign also includes a school mentorship programme, under which IAS and IPS officers will adopt government schools in rural areas. These officers will mentor students and guide schools in improving learning outcomes. The pilot phase of this initiative will cover 80 Schools of Eminence, with each officer assigned a school for a period of five years, regardless of their place of posting.

The state government has also been sending teachers for training at national and international institutions to upgrade their skills. This upskilling, according to officials, has contributed to a noticeable increase in student enrolment in government schools.

Manish Sisodia, speaking at the event, stated that the Punjab government is working to strengthen the education system by transforming schools and enabling students to pursue their aspirations. He noted that more than 12,000 schools in Punjab have already undergone transformation in the past three years.

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In a Shocking Move, US Supreme Court Backs Trump’s Cuts to Teacher Training Grants

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The US Supreme Court cleared the way for President Trump to cut $600 million from teacher training funds

In a decision that has sent shockwaves through the global education community, the US Supreme Court has permitted the Trump administration to go ahead with slashing $600 million in teacher training grants—funds that supported Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)-related programs. The 5-4 ruling is being seen as a major blow to the foundational ideals of inclusive education.

The affected grants, including the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator programs, were created to recruit and train educators, particularly for rural and underserved communities. These programs were designed not just to address America’s growing teacher shortage but also to help educators understand and embrace student diversity—a critical aspect of modern pedagogy.

Trump’s Department of Education has argued that the programs funded “divisive ideologies.” A standardised letter sent to grant recipients stated that the department no longer supports programs promoting DEI or “any other initiatives that unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, or other protected characteristics.”

But to education experts, the decision is not just bureaucratic—it’s deeply symbolic.

When the world needs more aggressive teacher training, not less, this ruling feels like a backward leap. At a time when classrooms are more diverse than ever—culturally, neurodivergently, socio-economically—cutting back on training that helps teachers manage inclusive classrooms could spell disaster for the next generation of learners.

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Teachers make every other profession possible. You cannot take away their training and expect education to survive.

DEI is not a trending buzzword—it is a matter of human dignity and rights. When teachers are better equipped to understand different learning needs and cultural contexts, every child benefits. These funds were not “divisive”; they were the very backbone of equitable education.

This Supreme Court ruling comes in the wake of Trump’s broader effort to dismantle the Department of Education itself, part of his controversial plan to downsize federal governance. An executive order to “eliminate” the department was signed in March 2025, though its full dissolution still requires congressional approval.

Justice Elena Kagan, dissenting in the ruling, called the decision “a mistake,” adding that nowhere in the government’s defence was there a legal justification for cancelling the grants. Fellow Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said the terminations were contrary to Congress’s original intent of ensuring quality education for all.

While the US wrestles with these policy reversals, the international education community must remain vigilant. This is not just a national matter. The US has long set the tone for education policy worldwide. If other countries begin to emulate this regression, we risk reversing years of progress toward inclusion, understanding, and equality in education.

Let us be clear: Training teachers is not a gimmick. It is a necessity. A minimum standard. 
We hope that while the world watches, it does not follow suit.

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Private School Fees Surge by 50–80% in Three Years, National Survey Finds

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As schools across India reopen for the new academic year, parents are sounding the alarm over an alarming surge in school fees. A recent nationwide survey by LocalCircles has confirmed that private school fees have increased by 50–80% over the past three years—placing unprecedented financial pressure on middle and lower-income families.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 31,000 parents across 309 districts, revealed that 44% of parents reported a fee hike of 50–80%, with 8% stating that the increase exceeded 80%. In contrast, only 7% of parents felt their state government had effectively capped or regulated these hikes.

Despite widespread concern, only Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra currently regulate school fees, leaving parents in most states without protection from such steep increases. From Hyderabad to Delhi and Bengaluru, parents have protested hikes ranging from 10% to even 100%—especially in the pre-primary and early primary segments.

Private education is becoming increasingly unaffordable. While the wealthy may manage, middle-class and low-income families are sacrificing basic needs or taking on debt just to keep their children in school,” said Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles.

The survey also indicated a worrying drop in enrolment—with UDISE+ data showing a decline to 24.8 crore students in 2023–24, a fall of over one crore from previous years.

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Parents and education advocates are now calling for urgent government intervention and stronger fee regulatory mechanisms to ensure equitable access to quality education.

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Mahindra University Symposium Explores Harappan Legacy and Its Quiet Influence on Modern Education

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Mahindra University Symposium Explores Harappan Legacy and Its Quiet Influence on Modern Education

At a time when India is reflecting on 100 years since the discovery of the Indus Valley Civilisation, Mahindra University took a significant academic stride by hosting a landmark interdisciplinary symposium that not only honoured our ancient heritage but explored its forgotten links to modern education.

Organised as part of the university’s research initiative to decode the Indus script, the symposium brought together archaeologists, linguists, AI experts, and education scholars. It featured a stunning display of antiquities — including stone tools over 100,000 years old — and rare artefacts from the IVC, offering visitors a tangible glimpse into one of the world’s earliest urban cultures.

A Civilisation Ahead of Its Time

In her keynote, Dr Smita S. Kumar, Superintending Archaeologist at the Archaeological Survey of India, underscored the maritime trade and economic systems that made Harappa a powerhouse of cross-cultural exchange. “The legacy of Harappa shaped the economic landscape of the world and helped lay the foundation for global trade systems,” she said.

But beyond trade, the event also highlighted how the civilisation’s systems of standardisation, civic planning, and symbolism hinted at early forms of instruction and information dissemination.

Professor Yajulu Medury, Vice Chancellor of Mahindra University, stated, “This symposium underscores our commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship. Understanding the IVC helps us trace the evolution of knowledge systems in India.”

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Indus Valley’s Forgotten Impact on Education

While IVC is not known for formal classrooms or textbooks, its influence on education is deeper than most realise. Their standardised brick sizes and sophisticated city layouts suggest a culture of measurement, geometry, and applied science. The presence of seals, the undeciphered script, and organised granaries all point to an inherent system of record-keeping and knowledge sharing — key elements of what education aims to do today.

Modern-day curriculum pillars like data literacy, urban planning, sustainable water management, and system design can all find philosophical and functional parallels in the Harappan way of life.

As India moves toward a more integrated and inclusive National Education Policy, perhaps it’s time we looked backward to move forward — and asked how much of our ancient knowledge systems still flow silently through our schools, textbooks, and educational practices.

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Madhya Pradesh Renames CM Rise Schools as ‘Sandipani Vidyalaya’ to Honour Lord Krishna’s Guru

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CM Rise Schools initiative, started under Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in 2023, as a step towards quality education

In a symbolic move blending mythology with modern education, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced the renaming of its high-tech CM Rise Schools to Sandipani Vidyalaya, in honour of Lord Krishna’s revered guru, Acharya Sandipani. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav during the launch of this year’s School Chale Hum campaign in Bhopal.

The CM Rise Schools initiative, originally introduced in July 2023 under former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, was envisioned as a transformative step towards quality education. These schools feature smart classrooms, digital infrastructure, and upgraded pedagogy aimed at bridging the rural-urban education divide.

Referring to the legendary Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain—where Lord Krishna is believed to have received his early education—CM Yadav said the renaming serves as a tribute to ancient Indian wisdom. “Lord Krishna received his education in Sandipani Ashram. The CM Rise Schools will now be known as Sandipani Vidyalaya to reflect this legacy,” he stated.

The state government had aimed to establish 9,000 such schools, with 274 already operational and serving over 2.5 lakh students. These institutions have been hailed for offering modern learning environments while drawing inspiration from India’s educational heritage.

The announcement also coincides with renewed efforts to make education more accessible, particularly in rural areas. CM Yadav’s government recently earmarked ₹101.20 crore to revive public transport systems across the state in a public-private partnership (PPP) model, enhancing accessibility to schools and colleges.

By naming these futuristic institutions after a figure steeped in India’s educational tradition, the government hopes to strike a chord with cultural pride while continuing its push for technological advancement in classrooms.

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On Paper vs On the Playground: The Stark Reality of Inclusion for Children with Autism in India

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On World Autism Awareness Day 2025, the Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education—announcing strengthened therapy-based support through Block Resource Centres (BRCs) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) under Samagra Shiksha. On paper, it all sounds exactly as it should: speech therapy, occupational support, assistive devices, special educators, digital access, even parent counselling and teacher training.

But just three days ago, a deeply disturbing video emerged from a Noida-based private school, showing a special educator manhandling a 10-year-old child with autism in the classroom. The video, accidentally shared on a parent WhatsApp group, has since gone viral, leading to the arrest of the teacher, the sealing of the school, and an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the JJ Act, and the RPWD Act.

It begs the question: Is our reality in special education as inclusive as our rhetoric?

When Inclusion Becomes a Hollow Word

For far too many children with autism in India, inclusion begins and ends in policy documents. What lies in between is often a cycle of unchecked negligence, lack of accountability, and poorly trained or entirely unqualified “special educators” functioning like gig workers—underpaid, under-monitored, and dangerously unprepared.

We’ve heard of children being tied to chairs during therapy hours, being underfed as a behavioural management strategy, or being punished for sensory overstimulation they cannot control. Many so-called educators don’t even have basic training, let alone the emotional intelligence required to support neurodiverse children.

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What Needs to Change?

If we are truly serious about inclusion, then we need more than just circulars and schemes. We need licensing laws that mandate certification and regular evaluation of all special educators. We need background checks, complaint redressal systems, and swift punitive action against violations. We need to ensure every school, government or private, recognised or otherwise, follows minimum compliance protocols for inclusive practices. And yes, we need parent voices on the table when these frameworks are drafted—not just policy architects in boardrooms.

The Ministry’s renewed vision under NEP 2020 is a welcome step, and BRCs could become powerful hubs of change. But only if they are funded, monitored, and held accountable. Inclusion is not a checkbox, it’s a lived culture—and it starts with respect, rigour, and responsibility.

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Supreme Court Flags Basic Needs as Priority Over Libraries in Rural India

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In a significant observation on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India stressed that hygiene, education, and healthcare—not libraries—must be the top priority to transform rural India. A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant made the statement while hearing a plea to mandate the establishment of public libraries in every village across the country.

“Education is critical, but a person who is starving—will he go to a library?” Justice Kant asked pointedly, underscoring the stark realities many rural communities continue to face. The Bench urged States to allocate 10% to 15% of their budget towards improving essential rural infrastructure to realise the dream of a developed India.

The comments come as a sobering reminder that despite India’s advancements in urban education, schooling in rural areas remains plagued by inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and a lack of basic amenities. In many villages, schools still struggle with broken buildings, lack of toilets, or poor access to safe drinking water.

To address this, replicating successful models like Madhya Pradesh’s CM Rise Schools may offer a practical way forward. These state-run schools have prioritised quality infrastructure, digital learning tools, and teacher training—bringing urban-level standards to rural education. Partnering with local panchayats and tapping into CSR funds could further accelerate such initiatives.

While libraries are undoubtedly valuable for fostering curiosity and civic understanding, the Court’s remarks emphasise that before we turn the page, we must first build the book—and the classroom.

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Postgrad Interest in US Falls by 40% in 2025: Are Students Finally Prioritising Skills Over Degrees?

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Data from January to March 2025 reveals a sharp decline in student interest in the US as a preferred study destination.

A seismic shift is underway in global higher education. In the first three months of 2025 alone, international postgraduate interest in the United States dropped by over 40%, according to StudyPortals data. Countries like Iran and Bangladesh saw even steeper drops—61% and 54% respectively. Even India, long regarded as the US’s strongest education partner, registered a 36.8% decline.

This decline isn’t happening in isolation. As students turn their gaze to the UK and alternative destinations, another quiet revolution is unfolding—young learners across the world are rejecting the degree-first mentality in favour of direct-to-skill pathways. And they’re doing it with intention.

Beyond the Campus Walls
“Students are not just choosing programmes; they’re choosing futures in places they perceive as stable, welcoming, and full of opportunity,” said Cara Skikne, Head of Communications at StudyPortals. In contrast, the US has been rocked by a wave of student and faculty deportations, a looming travel ban, and legislative uncertainties since the return of Donald Trump to office in 2025.

But politics isn’t the only factor at play.

The Age of Skill-Based Learning Is Here
In a recent article, our Founder & CEO, Ravi Santlani, aptly summed it up: “High school students today are increasingly turning away from the conventional route of pursuing undergraduate degrees. Instead, they are opting for direct skill acquisition—learning that is more targeted and in sync with the evolving job market.”

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It’s not just anecdotal anymore. Traditional degrees are seen as costly, time-consuming, and often outdated by the time graduation arrives. From AI to digital marketing, the tools of the trade are changing faster than university curricula can keep up.

Students aren’t dropping out of education—they’re redefining it.

Degrees vs. ROI
With sky-high tuition fees and limited job security, the ROI on traditional education has come under scrutiny. Online certification programmes, apprenticeships, and bootcamps now offer practical, job-ready skills at a fraction of the cost.

Platforms like Coursera, NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation), and even corporate-backed skilling academies are filling the gap. Startups and Fortune 500 companies alike are updating their hiring rubrics, increasingly dropping the “mandatory degree” filter in favour of demonstrable skills, project portfolios, and real-world experience.

The UK’s Gain, The US’s Loss
With its relatively stable policy environment, the UK has seen a rise in popularity. As per StudyPortals, 7% of students considering the US are also exploring the UK, nearly double the percentage considering Canada.

While the UK government has its own challenges—like the dependants ban—it has vowed to continue welcoming international students and retaining the Graduate Route.

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The Bigger Picture
This is more than a geopolitical trend. It’s a generational pivot. Students are no longer defaulting to age-old templates of education. They are curating learning experiences that are nimble, purpose-driven, and future-ready.

As schools, counsellors, and policymakers, we must now ask: are we preparing students for entrance exams, or are we preparing them for life?

(Source- The PIE News)

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SC-Appointed Task Force Holds First Meeting to Address Student Suicides in Educational Institutions

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The Supreme Court of India has appointed a National Task Force on Mental Health and Student Well-being in Education

In a critical step toward confronting the alarming rise in student suicides, a Supreme Court-appointed National Task Force on Mental Health and Student Well-being in Education held its first meeting on 29 March 2025. This comes just five days after the apex court formed the committee, recognising that student suicides have now outnumbered those in the farming sector—a tragic and urgent wake-up call for the country’s education system.

The task force, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, has been given the mandate to examine mental health concerns within higher educational institutions and recommend policy-level reforms to prevent student suicides. The move follows a petition filed by parents of two students from IIT Delhi, who had allegedly died by suicide, seeking an FIR and deeper accountability.

Listening to India: A National Consultation

In a progressive and people-first approach, the task force will soon launch a website and social media platforms to invite public feedback. From educators and students to psychologists and parents, all stakeholders will have the opportunity to share suggestions and lived experiences. Additionally, the panel will conduct public meetings, review existing laws and policies, and consult with institutions and mental health experts.

Who’s On Board?

The panel comprises a cross-section of experts and representatives from:

  • Ministry of Women and Child Development

  • Department of Higher Education

  • Department of Social Justice and Empowerment

  • Department of Legal Affairs

  • Mental health professionals

  • Education policy specialists

  • Legal experts

What’s Next?

The Supreme Court has asked for an interim report in four months and a comprehensive final report in eight months. These reports will serve as blueprints to strengthen institutional mental health frameworks and enable the development of preventive policies and on-ground support mechanisms in schools and universities.

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Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan, while announcing the task force earlier this month, had sharply criticised the lack of robust systems to support mental health in educational spaces—pointing to “serious gaps in legal and institutional structures.”

This development comes at a crucial time as schools, colleges, and policymakers across the country grapple with rising mental health issues among students. The outcomes of this task force could very well reshape how educational institutions approach emotional well-being—not as an afterthought, but as an essential part of holistic learning.

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CBSE Revises Class 10, 12 Curriculum: Biannual Exams, New Subjects and Flexible Passing Criteria Introduced

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In a landmark reform aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced sweeping changes to the Class 10 and 12 curriculum, exam structure, and assessment methods. These changes, which will come into effect from the academic session 2025-26, aim to foster flexibility, skill development, and holistic learning.

Biannual Board Exams

One of the most significant updates is that CBSE will now conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year—in February and April—allowing students to choose the attempt that suits them best. However, Class 12 board exams will continue to be held once a year. This change offers students more chances to improve their performance and alleviates exam-related pressure.

Revised Passing Criteria

CBSE has also made the passing criteria more flexible. In Class 10, students who fail in key subjects like Science, Mathematics or Social Science can now substitute them with a passed skill subject or an optional language subject. The overall pass percentage remains at 33% in both theory and internal assessment.

Introduction of Skill-Based Subjects

With a strong push toward vocational and future-ready learning, the revised curriculum introduces new skill-based subjects.
For Class 10, students can now choose between:

  • Computer Applications

  • Information Technology

  • Artificial Intelligence

They can also select either English or Hindi as their language subjects.

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For Class 12, four new skill-based subjects have been introduced:

  • Land Transportation Associate

  • Electronics and Hardware

  • Physical Activity Trainer

  • Design Thinking and Innovation

The curriculum for Class 12 is now organised around seven major learning areas:

  • Languages

  • Humanities

  • Mathematics

  • Sciences

  • Skill Subjects

  • General Studies

  • Health and Physical Education

New Grading System

Class 10 assessments will now follow a 9-point grading scale, with 80 marks allotted to the written exam and 20 marks to internal assessments. This move aims to promote consistent performance throughout the academic year rather than focusing solely on final exam outcomes.

Curriculum Access and Implementation

The updated curriculum is already available to all CBSE-affiliated schools and includes detailed information on learning outcomes, pedagogical strategies, and assessment frameworks. Educators have been encouraged to align their teaching methodologies accordingly.


This overhaul represents a significant stride toward personalised learning and skill development. With its dual-exam format, diversified subject offerings, and practical focus, CBSE’s new model hopes to reduce academic stress and make education more meaningful for today’s learners.

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Education5 hours ago

Punjab Launches ₹2,000 Crore ‘Sikhiya Kranti’ Campaign to Upgrade Government Schools

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