Ambiguity in NEET syllabus confuses students

The NEET website mentions that students have to also study from the ‘common state board syllabus’. There is no common syllabus across state boards of our country. So, what do our children study? SUDHA SHENOY, parent

MUMBAI: Though the state’s decision to conduct admissions to health science courses based on National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) scores has received a positive response from medical aspirants, there seems to be a larger problem.
The candidates will still have to study the Maharashtra state board syllabus as well as the curriculum followed by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for NEET 2017. This has not gone down well with many.
“We had requested the state to either upgrade their syllabus to the national level or get exemption from NEET. Since the Supreme Court did not grant exemption, the least the government could do is focus on making preparation for the entrance exam easier for students,” said Subhash Joshi, a professor from a city-based coaching institute.
He added that students are spending more time looking for books by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) than focusing on the upcoming HSC examinations.

Even though medical aspirants no more need to appear for two separate entrance examinations for health science courses, parents have highlighted the ambiguity surrounding NEET 2017.
“The NEET website mentions that students have to depend on the NCERT syllabus as well as study the ‘common state board syllabus’. There is no common syllabus across state boards of our country. So, what do children study?” said Sudha Shenoy, a parent.
Most coaching institutes depend on NCERT textbooks as more than 70% of the examination will be based on the syllabus.
“My students are anxious as there is a lot of difference between the two curriculums. Many end up staying back for several hours to understand whatever problems they cannot solve from NCERT textbooks,” said a professor from a city-based coaching institute.

13 Dec 2016 | Mumbai | HT Correspondent htmetro@hindustantimes.com n 

Source: http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

CBSE schools pick Narendra Modi path, set to go cashless from January 2017

All CBSE-affiliated schools will opt for digital mode of transactions from January, 2017.

By: FE Online | New Delhi | Updated: December 13, 2016 11:16 AM

 All CBSE-affiliated schools will opt for digital mode of transactions from January, 2017. (PTI)

In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a cashless economy, all CBSE-affiliated schools will opt for digital mode of transactions from January, 2017. CBSE-affiliated schools across will stop accepting fees in cash. Institutions will only accept e-payments. Apart form this, staff’s salaries will not be paid in cash.

This move will be a boost for PM Modi’s ‘digital India’ dream. Earlier, PM Narendra Modi had directed his senior ministers to enlighten the people about merits of using e-wallets and other digital payment methods. The renewed push to make India less reliant on hard currencies came a day after the Prime Minister exhorted the people to use debit cards and other digital payments while purchasing essential items.

According to government sources, the Prime Minister asked his ministers to start the promotion of cashless economy with their own staffs followed by their Ministry and then constituency to appeal to larger masses. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar amongst the others to form a sub-committee to give impetus to a cashless economy.

In the 26th edition of Mann KI Baat programme, Prime Minister Modi said, “I know cashless economy is different. Why not move towards a cashless society? Need your physical support in this. I took this decision for the country’s poor, farmer, labour, deprived and for those who are suffering. I reiterate that I need your support; I am positive that you will help me in this; take a pledge that you will be a part of this cashless economy.”

Speaking about the demonetisation drive and its impact on the path of a cashless economy, PM Modi had said that Indian had a historic opportunity to embrace the increased cashless payments and integrate the latest technology in the economic transactions.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/cbse-schools-pick-narendra-modi-path-set-to-go-cashless-from-january-2017/472548/
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CBSE STUDENTS CAN ACCESS DOCUS ONLINE

MUMBAI: From now, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students can find their marksheets, pass and migration certificates at the click of a button. The CBSE launched its digital academic repository, Parinam Manjusha, last week. It can be used by employers and educational institutions students to verify academic records and by students to access their certificates.

The repository has been developed by the board in collaboration with NEGD (DigiLocker) and is available at https:// cbse.digitallocker.gov.in
 

Users need to register on the website and can check the applicants’ certificates after paying the verification fee online. The documents will be sent to the employer through mail and the applicant will be notified.
“It will save students the hassle of acquiring certificates through offices,” said Deepshikha Srivastava, principal, Rajhans Vidyalaya, Andheri.

• 30 Nov 2016 | Mumbai | HT Correspondent htmetro@hindustantimes.com

Source: http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx#

CBSE schools get more time to declare details

(Representative image)

INDORE: The Central Board of Secondary Education extended the deadline for the mandatory disclosure of school details till December 15. Earlier, more than 110 CBSE schools in Indore district were expected to submit the mandatory disclosure by November 30.

The association of unaided CBSE schools in the city had requested the CBSE to extend this deadline, after which it was extended till November 30. "Over 60 to 70% schools have submitted the details, but there are few schools that were not able to provide details due to the lack of documents and other reasons," said Jaydeb Kar, CBSE helpline member from the state.

"The board has accepted the request of such schools and extended the deadline. But after this, if schools can't submit details within the deadline, they will get a notice from the board," added Kar. "It is important that schools submit the details as per the deadline set by the board. I don't think it's correct on the part of schools to request the board to extend the deadline again and again. However, exceptions might be there with genuine reasons," said a school principal from the city.

The board had earlier issued an advisory to its affiliated schools, asking them to share the fee structure along with details of all the facilities they provide by or before October 31.

Under the mandatory disclosure, the CBSE has asked for an expansive list which includes infrastructural details

 TNN | Updated: Dec 3, 2016, 10.55 AM IST
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/CBSE-schools-get-more-time-to-declare-details/articleshow/55766747.cms 

खाजगी शाळनाही प्रगतीचे अहवाल देने बंधनकारक

No school bags till class 2: Upendra Kushwaha

NCERT and the Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE have taken several measures to reduce curriculum load and the weight of school bags.

By: IANS | New Delhi | Published:November 22, 2016 2:20 pm

 
In its latest circular, it has advised schools to take all possible measures to keep the weight of school bag under control. (Express File Photo)
 
The CBSE has directed schools affiliated to it to ensure that students do not carry school bags till class II and also to restrict the number of books to be prescribed in classes I-VIII, Minister of State for Human Resource Development Upendra Kushwaha told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

In a written reply to a question, he said both the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have taken several measures to reduce curriculum load and the weight of school bags.

“In its latest circular dated September 12, 2016, it has advised schools to take all possible measures to keep the weight of school bag under control,” said the Minister.

He said that the NCERT has not recommended any textbook for early childhood education, while only two books for classes I and II and three books for classes III to V have been recommended.

“The Government has also launched a platform for showcasing and dissemination of all digital and digitisable resources for its stakeholders in collaboration with the NCERT,” said the Minister, adding that the NCERT has made available all their textbooks and other teaching-learning material for free access on its website.

In a written reply, Upendra Kushwaha said the CBSE has also developed an online mechanism for submission and scrutiny of affiliation applications. “710 Affiliation applications are pending with Central Board of Secondary Education for more than six months,” he said.

Source: http://indianexpress.com/article/education/no-school-bags-till-class-2-upendra-kushwaha/

ROBOTICS MOVES FROM FUN TO SERIOUS LEARNING TOOL

ROBOTICS MOVES FROM FUN TO SERIOUS LEARNING TOOL

Amrutha Varshinii & Adarsh Jain

TNN





A Mix Of Engg And Electronics, Science Is Now In Demand Among IT Cos & Service Sector

From being assembled with lego kits or used in high-end programming, robots have moved from being considered mere play things. In Tamil Nadu schools, they are be coming an important tool of learning. In the past few years, the niche branch of science has become a craze among students. Today , it interests a child from as early as Class 1, when heshe is introduced to simple lego-like kits and gradually advances to assembling and coding.
Robotics,today is considered a separate branch of engineering, and has evolved from a fairly new branch called mechatronics, an amalgamation of mechanical engineering and electronics. Sneha Priya, founder of Kidobotikz, clarifies that robotics is not as niche as touted. “Robotics is more a platform than a subject.It provides a platform to put various disciplines to test,“ she says, adding that it helps make students more knowledgeable.
Vijay Shah, who created the banking robot `Lakshmi' recently, points out that young children tend to be more creative with technology. “Students need intuitive learning in which they can explore concepts and try things on their own, like making a sensor, or programming a movement and this needs to be taught to them early,“ he says.
Experts in the field feel that though the education system has allowed for the new-age subject to find space among other extra curriculars, it has not understood its potential. The transition from the classroom exercises to real-world application remains doubtful. “It isn't like smaller crafts; robotics is an interdisciplinary subject and this takes time to comprehend. If schools are serious about offering robotics to students, it should be brought in as an elective,“ says Shalini, a parent.
While more children are willing to take up robotics, companies offering the training feel it should become part of the curriculum. Arun Yogesh, CEO of Jay Robotics, has been helping schools like MCC and DAV Public conduct workshops to spark interest among students. “There are more schools lately willing to bring us on-board to teach robotics. Despite growing interest, it will still take some time for robotics to be in the curriculum,“ he said. The problem is that most schools do not have the infrastructure to teach students and end up outsourcing it to private companies.
In the past few years, there has been a flurry of startups using software-bots to offer various services -finding nearby restaurant, booking cabs and analysing legal contracts. Despite the promising career in the highly evolving science, the subject is taught only in a few colleges. B Vinod, head of robotics and automation engineering at PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore, points out that the demand for trained robotics graduates has increased exponentially. “We have a batch of 30 students, and we have 22 of them placed. As enough do not offer robotics course we are unable to meet the industry requirement,“ he says.





Source : Nov 25 2016 : The Times of India (NaviMumbai)

The international school curriculum creates a perfect balance between academics and sports provides a holistic educational experience

SPORTS EDUCATION

Pooja Mahimkar





The international school curriculum creates a perfect balance between academics and sports provides a holistic educational experience

All work and no play makes jack a dull boy.

 

True to this saying, apart from studying day in and day out, students need a certain amount of physical activity daily. International boards pay special attention to physical education apart from the regular theory syllabus. They take physical education a notch up and provide students a variety of sports to choose from. Sports education not only trains students in cricket and football as a game but also equips them to decide whether to make a career in the field of sports or not.

Physical activity plays an integral part in the growth and development of a student's mind and body. It also helps the student develop skills like persistence, perseverance and patience. Sports education also trains a student to take a defeat in the right spirit and maintain humility when victorious.

Generally, a number of students only opt for cricket or football in India. Thus, it is necessary to introduce other sports as well in the curriculum to broaden the opportunities of a student.International boards offer a variety of sport options like, lawn tennis, table tennis, fitness gymnasium, volleyball, basketball, skating, swimming, squash, dance, badminton, etc. “Sports help students work towards a common goal, teaching them lessons on teamwork and co-operation. As students advance through the ranks of the team, they learn valuable leadership skills. It also focuses on management skills, creativity in finding ways to improve themselves, strong focus and concentration“, said Vandana Arora, principal, Nahar International School.
“Physical education lessons are carefully prepared to not only include the teaching of sports related skills but also with reference to health and fitness,“ shared David Ricketts, athletics director, Ecole Mondiale.
International schools focus on improving a student's overall academic performance. Training students in various sports opens up a new career option.

Increasing stress levels among students has lead to aggression and low tolerance levels. Sports help students attain a balanced state of mind. “International programmes ensure that all students have the opportunity to develop their skills and become all-rounded learners. The lessons students learn are pivotal in their personality development. No subjects teach skills and principles that physical education does,“ concludes Shane Russell, head, physical education, Oberoi International School.

 

Source:Nov 24 2016 : The Times of India (NaviMumbai)