Category Archives: Education

SC notice to Centre, NTA on pleas for cancelling NEET- UG 2024; proceedings before HCs stayed

PTI, New Delhi, Jun 20, 2024 :  The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre, the National Testing Agency (NTA) and others on petitions, including those seeking the scrapping of NEET-UG 2024 exam and a court-monitored probe into the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance test.


The apex court also stayed further proceedings on some pleas on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate)-2024 examination pending before different high courts in the country.

A vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti issued notices to the parties seeking their responses on four separate pleas filed by the NTA seeking transfer of some pending petitions, including those concerning alleged paper leak, from the high courts to the apex court.

As the bench issued notices on NTA’s petitions, the counsel appearing for the agency urged that proceedings in these matters before the high court be stayed.

“Issue notice, returnable on July 8,” the bench said, adding, “In the meantime, further proceedings before the high courts shall remain stayed”.

It also dealt with several other petitions, including the one filed by 20 students who had appeared in the medical entrance test and are seeking scrapping of the exam which was held on May 5.

They have also sought a direction to the NTA and others to conduct the test afresh.

The bench, which issued notices to the Centre, NTA and others seeking their responses on these petitions, said the pleas would be heard on July 8 along with other pending matters concerning the NEET-UG 2024.

During the hearing, the bench made clear that it was not staying the counselling process.

“All this has been argued from day one and they (some petitioners) have been wanting stay of counselling. We have denied that,” the bench observed. “Ultimately, if all of you succeed, everything will go. The examination goes and the counselling will also go.” An advocate, appearing for one of the petitioners, said the counselling can be deferred until after July 8.

The bench asked the NTA’s counsel about the counselling. “The counselling will start on July 6, but it will not finish on July 6. It will take time,” the NTA’s counsel said.

Another counsel informed the bench that a person has been arrested in Bihar in connection with the probe into alleged irregularities in the exam.

The lawyer said FIRs have been lodged in Bihar and Gujarat regarding the alleged irregularities and the police should be asked to give status report of their investigation in these matter.

During the hearing, the bench observed that petitioners in the matter were making similar arguments.

The counsel appearing for the Centre said many a times, coaching institutes have also come as petitioners.

“They have a right to come. Because their business is … these students only and if you play with them and you meddle with their rights, then these coaching centres will come,” the bench observed.

While hearing separate pleas concerning the NEET (Undergraduate)-2024 examination, the apex court had on June 18 said even if there was “0.001 per cent negligence” on the part of anyone in the conduct of the examination, it should be thoroughly dealt with.

The NTA conducts the all India pre-medical entrance test.

While hearing separate petitions raising grievances over the NEET-UG 2024, the apex court had last week sought responses from the Centre and the NTA on a plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of question paper leak and other irregularities in the exam.

The Centre and the NTA had on June 13 told the top court that they had cancelled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates who took the examination for admission to MBBS and other such courses.

They will have the option to either take a retest or forgo the compensatory marks awarded to them for the loss of time, the Centre had said.

The examination was held on May 5 across 4,750 centres and around 24 lakh candidates took it. The results were expected to be declared on June 14 but were announced on June 4, apparently because the evaluation of the answer sheets got completed earlier.

There have been allegations of question paper leaks in states like Bihar and other irregularities in the prestigious exam.

The allegations have led to protests in several cities and filing of petitions in several high courts as also the Supreme Court. Scores of students protested in Delhi on June 10 seeking a probe into alleged irregularities.

As many as 67 students scored a perfect 720, unprecedented in the NTA’s history, with six from a centre in Haryana’s Faridabad figuring in the list, raising suspicions about irregularities. It has been alleged that grace marks contributed to 67 students sharing the top rank.

The NEET-UG examination is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. 

‘Centre has not released funds for Sarva Siksha Abhiyan’

MP, 20 June 2024, Kolkata: The Centre has not released to the tune of Rs 1,600 crore under Samagra Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) on the ground that the state has not signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Union government on PM (Prime Minister) Shri Scheme. 

“In PM Shri Scheme, the Central share is 60 per cent while the state’s share is 40 per cent so why should it be christened as PM Shri? It will either be called PM-CM Shri or by any other name. 
Moreover, this scheme has nothing to do with SSA through which Mid Day Meal is provided to students. 
They are trying to deprive the students of their share of Mid Day Meal. The stopping of funds under SSA is inhuman, barbaric and a shame for the federal structure,” state Education minister Bratya Basu said. 
A senior official of the state Education department said that Rs 1,200 crore is due for the year 2023-24 while for this year (till today), another Rs 400 crore (considering that the amount for SSA is given in three to four installments) is due. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/centre-has-not-released-funds-for-sarva-siksha-abhiyan-568636

No need to teach about riots, demolition in schools, says NCERT chief after textbook revisions

 We want to create positive citizens and that’s what is the purpose of our textbooks. We cannot have everything in them. The purpose of our education is not to create violent citizen depressed citizens. Hatred and violence are not subjects of teaching, says Dinesh Prasad Saklani

PTI, New Delhi, Jun 17, 2024 :  Rejecting accusations of saffronisation of school curriculum, NCERT’s director has said that references to Gujarat riots and Babri masjid demolition were modified in school textbooks because teaching about riots “can create violent and depressed citizens.”
    In an interaction with PTI editors at the agency’s headquarters here on Saturday, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) director Dinesh Prasad Saklani said the tweaks in textbooks are part of annual revision and should not be a subject of hue and cry.
    Asked about references to Gujarat riots or Babri masjid demolition being tweaked in NCERT textbooks, Saklani said, “Why should we teach about riots in school textbooks? We want to create positive citizens not violent and depressed individuals”.
    “Should we teach our students in a manner that they become offensive, create hatred in society or become victim of hatred? Is that education’s purpose? Should we teach about riots to such young children … when they grow up, they can learn about it but why school textbooks. Let them understand what happened and why it happened when they grow up. The hue and cry about the changes is irrelevant,” he said.
    The comments by Saklani come at a time when new textbooks have hit the market with several deletions and changes. The revised Class 12 political science textbook does not mention the Babri masjid but refers to it as a “three-domed structure”. It has pruned the Ayodhya section from four to two pages and deleted details from the earlier version.
    It instead focuses on the Supreme Court judgement that paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple at the site where the disputed structure once stood before it was torn down by Hindu activists in December 1992. The Supreme Court verdict was widely accepted in the country. The consecration of the Ram idol in the temple was performed on January 22 this year by the prime minister.
    “We want to create positive citizens and that’s what is the purpose of our textbooks. We cannot have everything in them. The purpose of our education is not to create violent citizens … depressed citizens. Hatred and violence are not subjects of teaching, they should not be focus of our textbooks,” added Saklani.
    He hinted that the same hue and cry is not made about 1984 anti-Sikh riots not being in textbooks.
    The latest deletions in the textbooks include: BJP’s ‘rath yatra’ from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya; the role of kar sevaks; communal violence in the wake of the demolition of the Babri masjid; President’s rule in BJP-ruled states; and the BJP’s expression of “regret over the happenings at Ayodhya”.
    “If Supreme Court has given a verdict in favour of Ram temple, Babri masjid or Ram janmabhoomi, should it not be included in our textbooks, what is the problem in that? We have included the new updates. If we have constructed new Parliament, should our students not know about it. It is our duty to include the ancient developments and recent developments,” he said.
    Asked about allegations of saffronisation of curriculum and ultimately textbooks, Saklani said, “If something has become irrelevant … it will have to be changed. Why shouldn’t it be changed. I don’t see any saffronisation here. We teach history so students know about facts, not for making it a battleground”.
    “If we are telling about Indian Knowledge System, how can it be saffronisation? If we are telling about iron pillar in Mehrauli and saying Indians were way ahead of any metallurigical scientist, are we saying wrong? How can it be saffronisation?”
    Saklani, 61, who was head of the ancient history department at the HNB Garhwal University before taking charge as NCERT director in 2022, has faced criticism over the changes in textbooks, especially pertaining to historical facts.
    “What is wrong about changes in textbooks? Updating textbooks is a global practice, it is in interest of education. Revising textbooks is an annual exercise. Whatever is changed is decided by subject and pedagogy experts. I do not dictate or interfere in the process … there is no imposition from top.
    “There are no attempts to saffronise curriculum, everything is based on facts and evidence,” he said.
    The NCERT is revising the curriculum of the school textbooks in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.     
    From the assertion that recent studies of ancient DNA obtained from archaeological sources at Rakhigarhi, an Indus Valley site in Haryana, rule out Aryan immigration to a call for more research into whether the Harappans and the Vedic people were the same, several crucial topics have either been dropped or tweaked in textbooks.
    A two-page table detailing achievements of Mughal emperors such as Humayun, Shah Jahan, Akbar, Jahangir and Aurangzeb have also been removed.
    This is the fourth round of revision and updating of NCERT textbooks since 2014.
    Referring to the changes to the section on Ayodhya, the NCERT had said in April — “Content is updated as per latest development in politics. Text on Ayodhya issue has been thoroughly revised because of the latest changes brought by the Supreme Court’s Constitutional bench verdict and its widespread welcoming reception”.
    Saklani said that some changes have happened because the subjects were irrelevant, some to update new information while several topics were removed earlier to minimise burden on students cause by the COVID-19 pandemic and reduce duplication of content.
    The new political science textbook of Class 11, now says that political parties “give priority to the interests of a minority group” with an eye on “vote bank politics”, which leads to “minority appeasement”.
    This marks a complete shift from what was taught until the 2023-24 academic session — that if students “think hard”, they will find there is “little evidence” to suggest that vote bank politics favours the minorities in the country.
    Dropping references to the demolition of Babri Masjid, the killing of Muslims in Gujarat riots and Hindutva, and tweaking the reference to Manipur’s merger with India are among the changes made in textbooks this year.

The rising trend of NOTA in electoral politics

Sinjini De, EOI, 14 June 2024 : n democratic politics, success is often measured by the fairness and integrity of the electoral process. When individuals vote, they express their basic political rights as citizens of the country. Just as individuals have the right to choose who forms the government, they also have the right to reject all contesting parties to express their disapproval. 

This is encapsulated by the idea of NOTA or ‘None of the Above’.Although NOTA was introduced in India in September 2013, its history traces back to 2004, when the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), a non-governmental organization, approached the Supreme Court seeking measures to protect the ‘right to secrecy’ of voters. They argued that the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961 unjustly violated this right as the presiding officer from the ECI maintained a record of those who chose not to vote, along with their signatures and thumb impressions. 
Fast forward nine years later, and the Supreme Court of India, in the PUCL vs. Union of India judgment of 2013, directed the Election Commission of India to include NOTA in elections to the Lok Sabha and respective state legislative assemblies as a measure to safe guard voters’ choices. Following this judgment, NOTA was used for the first time in the 2013 Assembly Elections of the five states of Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh, and later in the 2014 General Elections as well.
Present at the very bottom of the ballot as the last option, NOTA gives citizens the right to publicly and formally express their dissent against the contesting parties in an election. If a citizen goes through the list of political parties 
available and finds themselves unsatisfied, they can then opt for NOTA. This enables them to express their negative opinions and lack of support for the candidates while still exercising their right to vote as citizens. With the introduction of NOTA, voters now have the right to reject as well as the right to elect.
However, critics have questioned the effectiveness of this option now available to voters. The Supreme Court of India has even termed NOTA an ‘invalid vote’ since it does not change the electoral outcome in anyway. For example, in a constituency with 100 seats, if NOTA gets 99 votes, the seat will still be awarded to the party that won that one vote.
Therefore, it does not matter how many people opt for NOTA; the result will be in favor of the next best option. In some reserved constituencies, a high count of NOTA votes has been recorded. This shows bias and discrimination against candidates belonging to a certain caste and is a direct misuse of the purpose of NOTA.
Some consider NOTA a waste of votes since it does not change any outcome and only subtracts from the winning margin of the candidate who was going to win anyway. The results feel inconclusive and confusing since there is no clear mandate for the winning candidate. However, what NOTA does is successfully send a message to the contesting parties. It serves as feedback to the political 
parties and their candidates and lets them know that the public is dissatisfied with them. This then forces the concerned parties to change their ways and field better, more capable, and more ethical representatives, as they risk losing the seat if voters are dissatisfied.
While the number of NOTA voters has marginally dipped this year since its introduction in 2014, the continual presence of NOTA votes in the electoral race paints a rather distressing and alarming picture of Indian democracy. In about a third of the Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, NOTA emerged as the third-most preferred option after the BJP and Congress. Indorere wrote electoral history by recording an all-time high of 2,18,674 NOTA votes. Similarly, North Eastern states recorded a higher number of NOTA votes than before, with Assam scoring the highest average of1.19% across 14 seats .
A high record of NOTA votes indicates that something is wrong and needs to be changed. NOTA need not restrict itself to a totally symbolic stance. In fact, the Supreme Court is considering a petition for nullifying elections and holding fresh polls in cases where NOTA secures a majority. Barring candidates who secure fewer votes than NOTA and having them bear the cost of re-election helps to mitigate the financial loss on the Centre and allows the voters to select from a fresher and better batch of candidates. However, while NOTA does provide an opportunity for the voter to voice their dissent, it also emphasizes the importance of political awareness so that NOTA is used for its intended purpose and not to undermine the representative structure of our democracy. 
(The views of the author are personal)

NEET-UG exam row Grace marks given to 1563 candidates withdrawn Centre tells SC

PTI, New Delhi, Jun 13, 2024 : Amid a raging row over the NEET-UG examination, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Thursday it has cancelled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates who took the examination for admission to MBBS and other such courses. They will have the option to either take a re-test or forgo the compensatory marks awarded to them for loss of time.

    
Refusing to stall the counselling for NEET-UG, 2024, scheduled to commence from July 6, the top court made it clear that the admission of successful candidates to medical colleges and other institutions will be subject to the outcome of the petitions which have sought reliefs like cancellation of the examination held on May 5 on grounds of question paper leak and other malpractices.

A vacation bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta termed as “fairly reasonable” the decision to cancel the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates
on the recommendation of a panel set up to look into the grievances voiced by the petitioners.     
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the all India pre-medical entrance test.

At the outset, lawyer Kanu Agarwal, appearing for the Centre and the NTA, said the committee set up to look into the grievances decided on June 12 to “allay the fears of the students”. It was of the view that the grace marks be withdrawn and replaced with an option of re-test for these candidates which will be conducted on June 23. A notification to this effect will be issued during the day.

He said the committee was of the view that the award of grace marks on grounds of loss of time while taking the test resulted in a “skewed situation” as it had to be limited only to the questions that remained un-attempted.

After examining all aspects, the panel concluded that it would be appropriate to recommend cancellation of scorecards of these beneficiary candidates.

“According to the recommendations, it has been suggested that the score-cards of the affected 1563 candidates issued on June 4, 2024 will stand cancelled and withdrawn. These affected 1563 candidates will be informed of their actual scores without compensatory marks. Further, re-examination will be conducted for the affected 1563 candidates.

“The results of the affected candidates who do not wish to appear for the re-examination will be declared on their actual marks without compensation obtained by them in the examination held on May 5, 2024 and the marks obtained by the candidates who will appear in the retest will be considered and their marks based on the examination held on May 5, 2024 will be discarded,” the bench noted in the order.

The results of the re-test will be declared on June 30 and the counselling for admissions to MBBS, BDS, and other courses will start on July 6, the Centre said.

Lawyer J Sai Deepak, appearing for Alakh Pandey, the chief executive of EdTech firm ‘Physics Wallah’, assailed the random award of grace marks and said the option of re-test be given to all those students who could not approach the court alleging loss of time.

The bench declined the plea saying that it cannot expand the scope of the case to those who had not approached the court.

The bench issued notices to the Centre and the NTA on three petitions and tagged them with the pending pleas. It said they all will be taken up together on July 8 after the summer vacation.

Pandey has assailed the alleged random award of grace marks to over 1,500 candidates and urged the top court to set up an expert panel under its supervision to “enquire into the examination process and results of NEET (UG) 2024.”

He has, in his plea filed through lawyer Rohit Jain, the managing partner of law firm ‘Singhania & Co’, also sought a direction to the expert panel he has mooted “to come up with improvement in the process of conducting NEET examination and without hampering the interest of the other students”.

Another petition filed by Abdullah Mohammed Faiz and Dr. Shaik Roshan Mohiddin sought recall of the NEET-UG 2024 results and conduct of a fresh exam over allegations of paper leak and other malpractices.

The third plea, filed by NEET-UG aspirant Jaripiti Kartheek challenged the award of grace marks as compensation for alleged loss of time during the exam.

The examination was held on May 5 across 4,750 centres and around 24 lakh candidates took it. The results were expected to be declared on June 14 but were announced on June 4, apparently because the evaluation of the answer sheets got completed earlier.

The allegations have led to protests in several cities and filing of cases in seven high courts as also the Supreme Court. Scores of students protested in Delhi on June 10 seeking a probe into alleged irregularities.

As many as 67 students scored a perfect 720, unprecedented in the NTA’s history, with six from a centre in Haryana’s Faridabad figuring in the list, raising suspicions about irregularities. It has been alleged that grace marks contributed to 67 students sharing the top rank.

The NEET-UG examination is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

Yogyashree scheme to include more students. The scheme was so long applicable to the SC and ST categories.

SNS, 11 June 2024 : The state government will include boys and girls belonging to the general category, minorities and OBC in its Yogyashree scheme that provides free coaching to students sitting for engineering and medical courses.


The scheme was so long applicable to the SC and ST categories.

In 2024, those who had received training in Yogyashree scheme, got 23 ranks, including 13 IIT seats in JEE Advanced, 75 ranks in JEE (Main),. Seventy five students had cracked JEE (Main) and 432 cracked WBJEE and 110 ranks in NEET.

The state government has increased the number of centres to 50 and 2000 aspirants will receive the coaching. The coaching will be given from students studying in Class XI onwards.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee in her X handle wrote: “We are proud that our Yogyashree scheme which we started to provide free-of-cost training to SC/ST students of the state for admission in engineering and medical courses has been yielding increasingly greater and greater benefits for our SC/ST boys and girls. Now, we shall include the boys and girls of minority, OBC and general categories also in this scheme.”

She said this would benefit the students coming from economically-challenged backgrounds immensely.

She emphasised this scheme would bring out engineers and doctors in large numbers from the weaker section of the society.

“Let our boys and girls from the weaker sections be engineers and doctors in larger numbers. We shall now include students of Minority, OBC, and General categories in this scheme. Kudos to them!,” she further posted.

The state’s budget also revealed an enhancement in financial assistance under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme. General category households will now receive Rs 1,000, while SC/ST households are set to receive Rs 1,200.

Additionally, SC/ST women will been titled to Rs 1,200, and others will receive Rs 1,000 under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, effective from April 2024. 

The West Bengal government on Tuesday said its ‘Yogyashree’ scheme for students will now include beneficiaries from the minority, OBC and general categories. The scheme was launched in January to provide free-of-cost training to SC and ST students of the state for engineering and medical courses. 

“In consideration of the value of this critical training support to our disadvantaged boys and girls, we have increased the number of centres in the state now to 50, and number of our supported trainees to 2,000, and the training will be given from Class XI onwards for better preparation,” the Chief Minister said. 

“Let our boys and girls from the weaker sections be engineers and doctors in larger numbers,” she added.

The importance of digital detox for students

Meghashree Poddar, EOI, 11 June 2024 : Social media has revolutionized communication, fostering connections across vast distances. Item powers individuals to express themselves, engage ing lobal conversations, and access information readily.

However, just like how avocado is often tasteless despite being so ridiculously healthy or how many good-looking people come with nasty characters, social media, too, does have a dark side. The constant barrage of notifications, messages, and online content can be incredibly distracting. Studies link excessive screen time to negative health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem. Digital devices can also strain eyes, cause headaches, and disrupt sleep patterns, further impacting overall well-being.
Furthermore, the curated and often unrealistic portrayals on social media can distort students’ perceptions of reality and hinder their personal development. The constant stream of seemingly perfect lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy and social comparison, impacting self-esteem and potentially contributing to body image issues.
Social media can create pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, leading to a disconnect from one’s authentic self. The infiltration of digital technology into classrooms also presents challenges. The allure of notifications and readily available online content can significantly diminish attention spans and hinder learning. Students accustomed to easily accessible information might struggle with critical thinking and thorough analysis, hindering their ability to develop deeper understanding and problem-solving skills. 
This can lead to a reliance on quick online answers rather than in-depth exploration of complex topics.
Digital Detox: A call for balanced technology use:
1. Improved Focus and Attention: By disconnecting from distractions, students can regain control over their time and attention. This fosters amore mindful approach to learning, enabling them to dedicate focused time to studying and engaging in enriching activities that promote personal growth and well-being. Students can develop stronger time management skills and avoid the temptation to multitask, leading to more efficient learning.
2. Enhanced Well-being: A digital detox can reduce stress, anxiety, and improve sleep quality. This leads to increased energy levels, improved focus, and overall well-being. Students can experience a sense of calm and clarity that can benefit both academic and personal pursuits.
3. Stronger Relationships: Disconnecting from screens allows for stronger connections with friends and family through face-to-face interactions. It fosters communication, empathy, and deeper understanding. Students can learn valuable social skills that are essential for success in all aspects of life.
4. Boosted Confidence: Stepping away from the carefully curated world of social media can help students develop a more positive self-image and embrace their authentic selves, free from the pressure to conform to unrealistic online portrayals. 
Students can focus on their own strengths and interests, fostering a sense of self-worth and confidence. Digital detox periods offer a valuable opportunity for students to cultivate stronger interpersonal relationships. Disconnecting from screens allows for quality time with friends and family, fostering face-to-face interactions and strengthening social skills. 
Additionally, it allows for self-reflection and exploration of interests outside the digital realm. Students can rediscover the joy of real-world activities, engage in creative pursuits, or connect with nature. While the overuse of social media can be detrimental, this article isn’t about giving up technology. It’s about taking back control of our time, focus, and happiness.

A balanced regimen must include:
*Social Media Audit:Regularly evaluate online platforms. Identify and unfollow accounts that create negativity or encourage social comparison. Focus on following accounts that provide positive, inspiring, or educational content.
*Time Tracking: Utilize time-tracking apps or features within social media platforms to monitor daily usage. Analyze the data to identify peak us age times and areas for improvement. Set realistic goals for reducing screen time and track your progress.
*Digital-Free Zones: Designate specific times or areas as “digital-free,” such as during meals, before bed, or in specific study areas. Implement “no-phone” policies during family or social gatherings to enhance real-life interactions.
*Mindful Consumption: Be intentional about the content you engage with. Limit passive scrolling and set a purpose for each social media session. Seek out informative and inspiring content that promotes learning and personal growth.
*Notification Management: Turn off non-essential notifications to minimize distractions and maintain focus. 
Consider scheduling specific times to check social media accounts, rather than constantly being bombarded with notifications.
*Digital Detox Periods: Plan regular breaks from social media, such as a weekend without access. Use this time to engage in offline activities, reconnect with nature, and reassess digital habits. Evaluate the impact on your mental and emotional state.

Consider incorporating mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga, to further enhance well-being. Technology offers many benefits, but it’s essential to maintain a healthy balance. By implementing these strategies, students can reclaim control over their time, attention, and well-being. This fosters a more positive and productive learning experience, allowing them to thrive in both academic and personal spheres. 
Students who are well-rested, focused, and connected to the real world are better equipped to succeed in their studies and build meaningful relationships. 
(The views are the author’s personal)

Higher Secondary Edu Council uploads textual components of language papers on website

SOUMITRA NANDI, MP, 31 May 2024, Kolkata: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) has uploaded the textual components of all the language papers on its website for the benefit of students, teachers and the general academic community. The decision comes in the wake of slim chances of availability of the printed version of the books before the third week of June. The schools will reopen after summer vacation on June 3 and classes will commence from June 10. “The language textbooks are not yet available and there are considerable changes in the curriculum in the backdrop of the introduction of a semester system for Class XI for the academic year 2024-25 and for Class XII for the academic year 2025-26. Hence, we have uploaded the textual components of all the language papers on our website. The teachers, students can start their classes based on the uploaded document for the time being,” said Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, president of WBCHSE. The state government has taken the responsibility of printing all the textbooks of language subjects which will be distributed to the students free-of-cost across Bengal. The Education department has taken all necessary measures to expedite the delivery of hard copies of the textbooks to all the students of different schools affiliated under WBCHSE at the earliest. There are six languages, including English and Bengali, that are taught at the higher secondary level. There is a first paper and a second paper for all the language subjects except Urdu and Santhali. The process of bringing out books is a time taking process as it goes through various channels of the department before finally getting printed. The textbooks of 52 other subjects have hit the markets. Some of the schools have started online classes in the backdrop of the introduction of the semester system in which the first semester examination will be held in September. However, they have been facing problems due to the non-availability of books. The WBCHSE has revised the curriculum of all the subjects after 11 years and the language papers particularly were thoroughly revised and curriculum of all subjects were bifurcated in four semesters.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/higher-secondary-edu-council-uploads-textual-components-of-language-papers-on-website-565997

Significant discovery by Dr Kamal Bhujel involving negative absorption in the infrared (IR)

KalimNews, Kalimpong, 26 May 2024 : In recent times, there have been numerous encouraging reports highlighting the achievements of young people from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, the Gorkhas of the plains, and surrounding areas. These young individuals have been excelling in various fields, bringing pride to their communities and inspiring others.

It’s the time when the Gorkha community is making significant progress in various fields, including scientific discoveries. Consequently, Dr. Kamal Bhujel, a resident of Dilaram Tea Estate, has pioneered a new process known as Negative Absorption in the Infrared region during his research. Dr. Kamal Bhujel attained his PhD degree from the Department of Physics at Mizoram University in 2023. 
His research focused on Thin-film Perovskite solar cells, conducted primarily at the Solar Energy Research Lab at the Indian Institute of Technology-Dhanbad (IIT-Dhanbad) under the guidance of Professor Rajalingam Thangavel. During the fabrication of these solar cells, he engineered a thin film of Nickel oxide, with a thickness measured in nanometers, onto FTO (Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide).

In solar cell applications, it is essential to assess both the optical and electrical properties. To do so, measuring Absorption and Transmittance becomes mandatory. This involves directing a light wave (ranging from 200 to 3000nm) onto the sample and observing the degree of absorption and transmission of the incident wave. The outcome of these measurements yielded unexpectedly surprising results.
It was discovered that the quantity of transmitted wave exceeded that of the incident wave, causing the Absorption curve to exhibit negativity, hence termed ‘Negative Absorption.’ This phenomenon contradicts the ‘Law of Conservation of Energy,’ presenting an apparent impossibility. Notably, no prior reports of such a process in nickel oxide existed. A similar discovery was made by CV Raman and KS Krishnan in 1928, involving irradiation of a liquid with a monochromatic wave, yet research in this domain remains scarce.
Dr. Kamal Bhujel suggests that the precise mechanism underlying this process remains elusive. While this research furnishes compelling evidence for its existence, further rigorous investigations are indispensable to elucidate its origins. 
Dr. Kamal proposes a tentative explanation: when infrared waves interact with the junction of FTO and nickel oxide, molecules in this region become excited and transform into energy, resulting in a transmittance exceeding 100%.
The recent discovery of negative absorption in the infrared (IR) region by Dr. Kamal Bhujel and his team holds significant potential for the development of new types of metamaterials and advanced applications in various fields. 
This research was supported by Dipali Nayak, a PhD scholar from the Department of Physics at IIT-Dhanbad, along with MSc students Kiran Kumari Pal and Pritam Sardar. Prof. Suman Rai and Dr. Ningthoujam S. Singh assisted in the manuscript preparation, and Prof. Thangvel provided overall direction for the research. 
Negative absorption in the IR region could pave the way for creating innovative metamaterials that manipulate light in unconventional ways, potentially leading to advancements in optoelectronics and sensing technologies. \
Additionally, this phenomenon could be particularly useful in the synthesis of solar cells designed for spacecraft, where harnessing infrared radiation is critical due to its abundance in space environments. 
To ensure the robustness and recognition of such a groundbreaking discovery, it is essential that the research undergoes rigorous peer review and is published in a prestigious scientific journal. This process will validate the findings and facilitate further exploration and application of these novel materials in the scientific community. 
Any new findings within the scientific community necessitate publication in a renowned, world-class journal, substantiated by rigorous peer review.
Despite initiating this research in 2020 and completing it by 2022, Dr. Kamal Bhujel faced a prolonged wait for publication. Initially rejected by the first journal due to perceived insufficiencies, his work underwent further scrutiny across seven subsequent submissions, each transferring to journals aligned with their respective fields. 
Finally, on February 28, 2024, the manuscript found its home in Physica B: Condensed Matter, a journal within the Elsevier Group. Following a thorough revision process addressing reviewers’ comments, acceptance came swiftly on May 20, with online publication following on May 21. Dr. Bhujel expresses profound joy at the publication of his research, extending heartfelt gratitude to all supporters. He encourages fellow Gorkha researchers to persist in advancing their studies in a similar vein.

शोधकार्य: डा कमल भुजेलले गरे नेगेटिव एब्जर्ब्सनको नयाँ खोज

कालिमन्युज, कालेबुंग, २६ मई २०२४ : विभिन्न क्षेत्रमा हिमाली पहाडी भेक र अन्य स्थानका गोर्खा र अन्य युवाहरुले धेरै प्रगति गरिरहेका छन् । यसै बीच दिलाराम चिया कमान निवासी डा कमल भुजेलले आफ्नो शोध गर्ने क्रममा नेगेटिव एब्जर्ब्सन नामक एक नयाँ प्रक्रियाको खोज गरेका छन्। डा कमल भुजेलले गत वर्ष २०२३ मा मिजौराम विश्वविद्यालयको भौतिक विज्ञान बिभागबाट विद्यावारिधि प्राप्त गरेका हुन्। तिनको शोधको विषय थीन-फील्म पेरोव्स्काइट सोलर सेल रहेको थियो। 


तिनले यस शोधकार्यका अधिकांश भाग भारतीय प्राद्योगिक संस्थान-धनबाद (IIT-Dhanbad) को सोलर एनर्जी रिसर्च ल्याबमा प्राध्यपक राजालिंगम थंगवेलको अधीनमा गरेका हुन्। तिनले यसै सोलर सेल बनाउने क्रममा निक्कल अक्साइडको पत्ला परत (Thinfilm of nanometer thickness) एफटीओ (Flourine Doped Tin Oxide) माथि तयार पारेर त्यसबाट प्रकासका तरंग (Light wave from 200-3000nm) २००-३००० न्यानोमीटर फ्याकेर कति पार (Transmit) हुन्छ अनि कति सोस्छ (Absorb) भनेर जाँच गर्ने क्रममा इन्फ्रारेड (Infrared region) क्षेत्रमा अचम्मको प्रक्रिया देखा परेको जानकारी दिएका छन्। जसमा फ्याकिएको प्राकाशको मात्रा भन्दा निस्किएको प्रकासको मात्रा बढेर बेसी निस्किएको भेटियो, जुन प्रक्रियालाई त्यसै हेर्दा “ऊर्जाको संरक्षणको नियम” (Law of Conservation of Energy) को विपरित गएको देखियो जुन सम्भव नै छैन। यो प्रक्रिया निक्कल अक्साइडमा भने अहिले सम्म कसैले पनि भेटेका थिएनन्। 
सन १९२८ मा सी भी रमन र के एस कृष्णनले तरलमा एक्यरंग तरंग फ्याक्दा पनि यसै प्रकारको प्रक्रिया भेटेका थिए भने यस क्षेत्रमा धेरै कम मात्रामा मात्र शोध भएका छन्। डा कमल अनुसार यस प्रक्रिया हुनु पछाडीका ठोस् कारण भने अहिले नै किटान गरेर भन्न नसकिने भनेका छन्। तिनी भन्छन् यस प्रक्रियाको अस्तित्व छ भनेर यस शोधले ठोस् प्रमाण गरिसकेको भएता पनि यसका कारणहरू पत्ता लगाउनका निम्ति भने अझै गहनताका साथमा धेरै जाँचहरू गर्न पर्ने बताएका छन्। तथापी तिनले यस प्रक्रियाका सम्भावित कारण यसरी प्रष्टाएर भन्ने कोसिस गर्छन् कि फ्याकिएको प्रकास निक्लँदा आफै बढेर निस्किएका नभएर, एफटिओ र निक्कल अक्साइडको जुन परत निर्माण भएको छ त्यस जोडनमा इन्फ्रारेड तरंगले हिर्काउँदा त्यस क्षेत्रका अणु-परमाणुहरू उत्तेजित भएर उर्जामा परिणत भएको हुन सक्ने अढ्कल गरेका छन्।
यो प्रक्रिया स्थापित भइसकेपछि यसबाट नयाँ प्रकार पदार्थ मेटामटिरियलको (Metamaterials) निर्माण गर्न सक्ने सम्भावना पनि रहेको छ। साथै यसलाई ब्राह्मण्डमा पठाइने यानमा सोलर सेलको निर्माणमा प्रयोग हुन सक्ने छ। डा कमल भुजेललाई यस शोधमा आइ-आइ-टी- धनबाद, भौतिक विज्ञान विभागमा शोध गरिरहेकी दिपाली नायक र स्नाकोत्तर गरिरहेका किरण कुमारी पल र प्रितम सरदारले प्रयोगशालाका नमुना निर्माण (Sample preparation) मा सहयोग पुऱ्याएका थिए भने मिजौराम विश्वविद्यालयका प्रा सुमन राय अनि प्रा निंगथौजम सुरजकुमारसिंहले शोध लेखनमा सहयोग गरेका थिए। अनि यस शोधको सम्पूर्ण दिशा निर्देश प्रा थंगवेलले प्रदान गरेका थिए। 

वैज्ञानिक समुदायमा कुनै पनि नयाँ खोज पत्ता लागेमा त्यसलाई प्रमाण गर्नका निम्ति संसारकै स्तरीय अनि प्रसिद्ध जर्नलमा त्यस शोधलाई प्रकाशित गर्नुपर्ने हुन्छ। यस क्रममा डा कमल भुजेलले यस शोध कार्य २०२० देखि शुरु गरेर २०२२ सम्ममा सिध्याएका भएता पनि यसलाई जर्नलमा प्रकाशित गर्न २४ सम्म पर्खनु पऱ्यो। जसमा प्रथम जर्नलले केहि माप दण्ड नपुगेको भनेर अस्वीकार नै गरिदिएका थिए भने त्यस पछिका ७ वटा जर्नलहरूले आफ्नो क्षेत्र नमिलेर अर्को जर्नलको सुझाव दिएका थिए। अन्त्यमा भने एल्सीभर समूहको फिजिका बी-कन्डेन्स्ड म्याटर (Physica B: Condensed Matter) जर्नलमा २८ फरवरी २०२४ को दिन बुझाए अनि १० मईको दिन जर्नलबाट सोधिएका सम्पूर्ण प्रश्नहरूको उत्तर बुझाए र २० मईको दिन स्वीकृत गरिए पछि २१ मईको दिन अनलाईनमा प्रकाशित भएको छ। यसरी आफ्नो शोध प्रकाशित भएकोमा खुशी व्यक्त गर्दै सम्पूर्ण शुभचिन्तकहरूलाई कृतज्ञता प्रकट गरेका छन् भने, हाम्रा गोर्खा शोधकर्ताहरूलाई पनि यसरी आफ्नो शोधहरू अघि बढाउदै प्रगति गर्ने आग्रह गरका छन्।

HS Council to explore reasons of significant increase of marks

SOUMITRA NANDI, EOI, 25 May 2024, Kolkata: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) will explore the reasons of the significant increase in the marks of many students following Tatkal Post Publication Review (PPR) and Post Publication Scrutiny (PPS) in connection with the Higher Secondary examination 2024, the results of which were published on May 17. 

The merit list of 58 students ranked among the top 10 witnessed 12 new entries while another three students already in the merit list improved their ranks. “It is indeed highly competitive to figure among the top 10. 
I congratulate all the 12 students who have made it to the merit list but this should have happened earlier during the publication of results itself and not after PPR or PPS. 
We would do a sample study of the scripts that have undergone revision of marks. We want to ensure that similar things are not repeated in future,” said Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, president of WBCHSE. 
In case of the students who had barged into the merit list, the marks have increased by 4-5. The Council president said that he would individually delve deep into some answer scripts to find out what are the types of questions against which the marks have been revised.
The dozen new entries in the merit list has taken the total number of students in the top ten from 58 to 70. 
Ankit Pal of Kenduadihi High School in Bankura who had ranked 5 has jumped to rank 3, Abhra Kishore Bhattacharjee of Hooghly Collegiate School has also improved his rank from 6 to 5 while Bristi Pal of Chinsurah Balika Bani Mandir in Hooghly has advanced to 7th rank from 9th. 
According to Council sources, 11,558 students had applied for PPR and PPS for 22,836 subjects and marks of 4,597 students have witnessed revisions. “In some cases, the same teacher was engaged in checking both Higher Secondary as well as Madhyamik answer scripts. 
The dates for submission of marks were the same in case of both the exams. The distribution of scripts should have been more scientific. The Council should act tough against those having discrepancies in checking of scripts,” said Soudipto Das, secretary of Collegium of Assistant Headmasters’ and Headmistress’. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/hs-council-to-explore-reasons-of-significant-increase-of-marks-565188

Writers workshop on creative writing held in Kalimpong

Kalimnews, Kalimpong, 23 May 2024: People have lost interest in reading and writing, so to rekindle the love for the both and generate interest in reading and writing and sharpening their writing skills, a one-day creative writing workshop was organized at the Worship Center in Kalimpong.

Organized jointly by Kalimpong Christian Library and Himali Upasana Isai Kala Sarakshan Samity (Upasana Production), the workshop was held today in which training was imparted on creative writing and translation along with writing essays, articles, poetries and short stories.

70 young and old people participated in this workshop and according to the members of the workshop organizing committee, such a large number of participants was very much encouraging for smaller organisations.

In the workshop, the resource persons trained the participants by explaining about the important and essential points which initiates the art of writing, develops it and even could make it possible to pursue it as a profession. Rev. Solon Karthak, the well-known travelogue author and writer gave detailed information from his experiences during his delivery of keynote address on reading and creative writing.

In response to the growing disinterest in reading and writing, a one-day creative writing workshop was organized at the Worship Center in Kalimpong. The workshop aimed to rekindle a passion for reading and writing and to enhance participants’ writing skills. It was a joint effort by the Kalimpong Christian Library and Himali Upasana Isai Kala Sarakshan Samity (Upasana Production).

The workshop included training sessions on creative writing, translation, and composing essays, articles, poetry, and short stories. A total of 70 participants, both young and old, attended, which was a highly encouraging turnout for the organizing committee, indicating a strong community interest in such initiatives.

Resource persons provided essential guidance on initiating and developing writing skills, with a focus on the potential for writing as a professional pursuit. Rev. Solon Karthak, a well-known travelogue author and writer, delivered the keynote address. He shared his extensive experiences, offering detailed insights into the art of reading and creative writing, which inspired and informed the participants.

This workshop highlights the community’s effort to promote literacy and creative expression, ensuring that the love for reading and writing continues to thrive across generations.

In an effort to reignite interest in reading and writing, a one-day creative writing workshop was held at the Worship Center in Kalimpong. Organized by the Kalimpong Christian Library and Himali Upasana Isai Kala Sarakshan Samity (Upasana Production), the event focused on various forms of writing, including articles, essays, short stories, poetry, and translation.

Prominent figures in the literary field shared their expertise: Dr. Anjana Rai spoke on writing articles and essays, Elder Raju Rai, an editor and writer, provided insights into writing short stories, Ujjwal Prakash Bomjan, a poet and lyricist, explained the art of writing poetry. Dr. Abrona Lee Pandi from the English Department of Sikkim University discussed creative writing and translation skills.


To apply the skills learned, participants engaged in a writing competition in English and Nepali across four genres: essay, short story, poetry, and translation. Winners received book prizes, and all participants were awarded certificates. The winners included: Essay Writing: Edwin Rezom Aden (English) and Sunita Lama (Nepali)
Short Story Writing: Sharon Shreya Rai (English) and Tabita Sarki (Nepali), Poetry: Legain Phipon (English) and Grace Pakhrin Pulami (Nepali), Translation: Ananya Bomjan (English) and Nurzong Lepcha (Nepali).


The workshop was conducted by Asst. Professor Anukampa Subba, Head of the English Department at Kalimpong College, and began with a welcome address by Rev. J.S. Caleb Subba and a prayer by President Rev. Ruel Pakhrin. The event concluded with the announcement of winners by Jeenat Mary Lepcha and a thanksgiving by Rev. Lochan Kabo.

During the workshop, KCL secretary Yangden S. Ghising discussed the Kalimpong Christian Library, and film director Gyan Gurung shared information about an upcoming film by Himali Upasana Isai Kala Sankarsan Samiti (Upasana Production). Participants found the workshop effective and encouraging, contributing significantly to their writing skills and creative development..

कालेबुंगमा एक दिने सृजनात्मक लेखन कार्यशाला सम्पन्न

कालिमन्युज, कालेबुंग, २३ मई २०२४ : वर्तमान समयमा सर्वत्र पठन र लेखनमा चासो राख्नेहरुको संख्या दिनोदिन कम भैरहेको समय यसमा चासो जगाउने र पाठक अनि लेखक जन्माउन अनि उनीहरुमा लेखना कला भए तिखार्ने उद्धेश्यले कालेबुंगको वर्शिप सेन्टरमा एक दिने सृजनात्मक लेखन कार्यशाला आयोजना भयो |

कालेबुंग क्रिश्चियन लाइब्रेरी अनि हिमाली उपासना इसाई कला संरक्षण समिति (उपासना प्रोडक्सन) को संयुक्त आयोजनामा उक्त कार्यशाला आज सम्पन्न भयो जसमा गद्य, कविता, लघु कथा लेखन संगसंगै सृजनात्मक लेखन र अनुवाद बारे तालिम दिइएको थियो |   
यस कार्यशालामा ७० जना सहभागीहरुले भाग लिएका थिए  l यति ठुलो संख्यामा सहभागीहरुले भाग लिनु सम्भवत यस भेकको निम्ति प्रथम चोटि हुन सक्ने कार्यशाला आयोजक समितद्वयका ससस्यहरुले बताए   |
कार्यशालामा स्रोत व्यक्तिहरुले कसरी लेखन कलालाई जन्म दिने, विकाश गर्ने र यसलाई पेशा पनि बनाउने भन्नेबारे खुबै मुख्य र अति आवश्यकीय कुराहरु बताउदै तालिम दिए | श्रोत व्यक्तिहरुमध्ये चर्चित नियात्राका लेखक साहित्यकार रेभ सलोन कार्थकले सृजनात्मक पठन र लेखनको महत्वबारे आफ्नो अनुभवहरूबाट विस्तृत जानकारी गराउदै केही मुख्य बुँदाहरुको विषयमा व्याखा गरे |
गद्य लेखनबारे लेखक डा. श्रीमती अञ्जना राईले जानकारी गराए भने लघु कथा लेखनबारे सम्पादक एवं लेखक एल्डर राजु राईले साथै कवि औ गीतकार श्री उज्जवल बम्जनले कविता रचनाबारे तालिम दिए | 
सिक्किम युनिभर्सीटीको  अंग्रेजी विभागबाट आएका डा. अब्रोना ली पन्दीले सृजनात्मकता र अनुवाद साहित्यबारे बडो रोचक ढंगमा जानकारी गराए  |
सहभागीहरुले कार्यशालाको समय सिकेका कुराहरु र आफ्नो दक्षता अनुसार अभ्यासको निम्ति चारै विधा गद्य, लघु कथा, कविता अनि अनुवाद मा सहभागीहरुलाई अंग्रेजी र नेपाली दुवै भाषामा लेखन प्रतियोगिता गराइयो | प्रतियोगीहरुको मुल्यांकन श्रोत व्यक्तिहरुले गरे अनुसार सर्वश्रेष्ठ अनि उत्कृष्ट लेखनलाई प्रोत्साहन पुरस्कार प्रदान अनि सबै सहभागीहरुलाई प्रमाण पत्र वितरण गरियो |    
पुरस्कारहरुमा अग्रेजी भाषामा निबन्ध लेखनको निम्ति एडविन रेजोम आदेनलाई र नेपाली भाषामा निबन्ध लेखनको निम्ति सुनिता लामालाई सर्वश्रेष्ठ चयन गरियो भने अग्रेजी भाषामा लघु कथा लेखनको निम्ति स्यारोन श्रेया राईलाई र नेपाली भाषामा लघु कथा लेखनको निम्ति तबिता सार्कीलाई पुरष्कृत गरियो | अग्रेजी भाषामा कविता रचनाको निम्ति लिगेन फिपनलाई र नेपाली भाषामा कविता रचनाको निम्ति ग्रेस पाख्रीनलाई पुरष्कृत गरियो | उसरीनै अनुवादको निम्ति अग्रेजी भाषामा अनन्य बम्जनलाई र नेपाली भाषामा नर्जोङ लेप्चालाई पुरष्कृत गरियो । कार्यशाला खुबै प्रभावकारी अनि प्रोत्साहनात्मक भएको सहभागीहरुले जनाए |
कालेबुङ कलेजका अंग्रेजी विभागका एचओडी प्राध्यापक अनुकम्पा सुब्बाले संचालन गरेको कार्याशाला रेभ. जे.एस. कालेब सुब्बाको स्वागत सम्बोधन अनि अध्यक्ष रेभ. रुएल पाख्रिनको प्रार्थनाद्वारा आरम्भ भएको अनि जीनत मेरी लेप्चाद्वारा विजेताहरुको घोषणा र रेभ लोचन काबोद्वारा धन्यबाद ज्ञापन गरिएको थियो | कार्यशाला कै समय कालिम्पोङ क्रिश्चियन लाइब्रेरीबारे केसीएलका सचिव याङ्देन एस घिसिङले जनाए भने, फिल्म निर्देशक ज्ञान गुरुङले हिमाली उपासना इसाई कला संरक्षण समिति (उपासना प्रोडक्सन) को आगामी फिल्म बारे अवगत गराए |  

‘Start with UG admission process for academic year 2024-25 soon’

MP, 20 May 2024, Kolkata: The All Bengal Principals’ Council urged the Higher Education department to commence the admissions for undergraduate courses for the academic year 2024-25 in state colleges as soon as all the private and government aided Minority colleges in the state have already opened their admission portal. 

The Council fears that if the admissions are not started sooner, the government colleges will lag behind. 
“In the last academic session 2023-24, Higher Education department took late decision for opening the admission portal which resulted in scarcity of students, especially in science and arts streams,” the Council in their letter stated, while adding that more than 75 per cent seats were lying vacant for the mentioned streams. 
With regards to the centralised portal, they urged the department principal secretary to give clearance for colleges to start admission using a standalone portal like last year if the uncertainty over the portal’s introduction still looms. 
Admissions under the centralised admission portal for undergraduate courses may start after Lok Sabha polls, a Higher Education official said. The last phase poll in the state is going to take place on June 1 and counting will take place on June 4. 
Through a centralised platform, a student will be able to apply to various colleges under the state just by logging into a single portal instead of going to individual institutions. 
The centralised online admission portal for UG will be used in all government-aided colleges, unitary universities and state-aided affiliating universities, excluding autonomous colleges, minority educational institutions or colleges, training colleges and law colleges. 
The Higher Secondary result was published on May 8. The successful candidates have started preparing for entrance examinations and applying for different colleges. 
Even though few colleges under the ones which will be excluded from centralised portal like Scottish Church College have opened their standalone portal to start the admission procedure. 
However, many colleges under Calcutta University are awaiting notice from the Higher Education department as to when the admission process through the centralised portal will start. 
According to a college principal, the testing of the centralised portal was successfully conducted and data was collected from them. Although no communication has been made either by the department or Calcutta University as to when the admission process can be started. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/start-with-ug-admission-process-for-academic-year-2024-25-soon-564622

Higher Secondary Council trying to rope in college teachers in ‘cluster model’

SOUMITRA NANDI, MP, 20 May 2024, Kolkata: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) has decided to involve college teachers in a ‘cluster model’ for teaching students at the higher secondary level in the backdrop of acute scarcity of teachers in various subjects. 

The Council has already got the nod of the state Higher Education department in this regard. 
“We are encouraging cluster models for the benefit of students in the higher secondary level. If a particular school suffers from lack of teachers in a particular subject, teachers from a neighbouring school can be roped in for teaching the subject concerned in a cluster model. 
We have also made plans to rope in college teachers for addressing the same issue. However, the concerned teacher should be a permanent teacher,” said Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, president of WBCHSE. 
The concerned teacher can go to the neighbouring school for taking classes or students of three-four schools can be brought together 
in a common venue for the subject teacher to take classes. The same will be applicable for college teachers who will join this model. 
According to sources in the Council, the dearth of teachers in various subjects has turned so precarious that secondary teachers of a particular subject have to teach the same subject at the higher secondary level. 
In remote areas, even part time teachers are being roped in for plugging the gap. The Council is hopeful that the cluster concept will streamline this issue of teacher paucity to a reasonable extent. 
A Council official attributed this to the recruitment process remaining stalled for more than five years due to legal logjam and retirement of teachers every year in due course with attainment of age limit. 
The Council has introduced the semester system that will come into effect from 2024-25 for the students of class XI, while for class XII, it will be effective from 2025-26. 
The Council has introduced courses in data science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, science of well-being and application of artificial intelligence in recent times to make the plus-II curriculum up to date. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/higher-secondary-council-trying-to-rope-in-college-teachers-in-cluster-model-564626

‘Admissions under centralised admission portal for UG courses may start after Lok Sabha polls’

MP, 19 May 2024, Kolkata: Admissions under centralised admission portal for undergraduate (UG) courses may start after Lok Sabha polls, a Higher Education official said. 

The last phase poll in the state is going to take place on June 1 and counting will take place on June 4. Through a centralised platform, a student will be able to apply to various colleges under the state government just by logging into a single portal instead of going to individual institutions.

The centralised online admission portal for UG will be used in all government-aided colleges, unitary universities and state-aided affiliating universities, excluding autonomous colleges, minority educational institutions or colleges, training colleges and law colleges. The Higher Secondary result was published on May 8. 
The successful candidates have started preparing for entrance examinations and applying for different colleges within the state as well as outside. Even though few colleges under the ones which will be excluded from the centralised portal like Scottish Church College have opened their standalone portal to start the admission procedure. 
However, many colleges under Calcutta University are awaiting notice from the Higher Education department as to when the admission process through the centralised portal will start. 
According to a college principal, the testing of the centralised portal was successfully conducted and data was collected from them. Although no communication has been made either by the department or Calcutta University as to when the admission process can be started. 
The centralised portal was going to be introduced last year but at the last moment the decision to implement it was revoked and colleges were asked to take new admissions through a standalone portal. 
The Higher Education authorities had reasoned that the centralised admission portal was developed based on the three-years degree UG programme and needed to be modified as per the recent implementation, which was four-years degree UG programme. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/admissions-under-centralised-admission-portal-for-ug-courses-may-start-after-lok-sabha-polls-564462

State launches initiative to enrol ‘Out of School Children’

SOUMITRA NANDI, MP, 16 May 2024, Kolkata: The state Education department has directed all district education officers under Samagra Sikha Mission (SSM) to take the initiative for the identification and enrolment of Out of School Children (OoSC) in their respective districts so that they can be brought under the ambit of education. 

A senior official of the School Education department said that a district-wise list of such OoSC will be submitted before the department. 
“There are children of nomadic tribes, children at traffic signals, street children, Railway platforms, working at dhabas, garages, as rag pickers, children of pavement dwellers etcetera, in Kolkata as well as in the districts who have not been enrolled in schools as yet. 
The main aim is to identify these children and accordingly counsel them so that they come under the ambit of school education,” an official said. 
June 30 has been earmarked as the final date for such identification work. The database of OoSC should be uploaded to the portal of the Paschim Banga Samagra Sikska Mission by July 7 and efforts to bring them under the light of education will begin after that. 
The SSM has formed a team in each district and has included para teachers and education employees to carry out such survey work at the earliest. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/state-launches-initiative-to-enrol-out-of-school-children-564109