The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

School education in Punjab restructured
V.P. Prabhakar

A large number of schools, especially primary schools in rural areas, are found locked as there is no accountability. In many schools the attendance of teachers is irregular. Many a time students are made to go back home as the teachers do not turn up. These revelations are those by the "Jan Sampark Abhiyan" launched by the Punjab Education Department some time back. In this exercise, all gazetted officers — the Principal Secretary (Education), District Education Officers, Block Education Officers — participated under the directions of the state government.

It was realised that a large number of schools, especially primary, in rural areas of the state were without headmasters, proper buildings, drinking water facility, toilets, playgrounds and proper electricity.

According to the Education Minister, Mr Khushal Behl, a sum of Rs 129 crore would be released for the betterment of rural schools. Information is being collected from all schools about their building conditions, furniture and other infrastructure.

It was found that about 5,000 teachers had got themselves transferred to urban areas from rural postings. This resulted in imbalance in the system. The urban schools were found overstaffed and rural schools understaffed.

Most of these transfers took place under political pressure and, of course, some with "contacts". Now the department is trying to undo this but it is yet to be seen how the department is able to withstand political pressure, especially from its own partymen.

According to an official, there are 19,488 schools in the state. Of these 16,924 (86.84 per cent) are located in rural areas. 11,731 are primary, 2291 middle and 2902 high/senior secondary schools.

On an average, one primary school serves a radius of 1.1 km in rural areas as compared to 0.7 km in urban areas. Similarly, a middle school serves a radius of 2.6 km in rural areas against 1.7 km in urban areas. In the case of secondary education, one school serves a radius of 2.3 km in rural areas while it is 0.8 km in urban areas.

There are 1.35 lakh sanctioned posts of teachers in the state out of which 15,000 posts are lying vacant. Coupled with this are 5000 teachers who were working in urban areas but their posts actually fall in rural areas.

While 70 per cent students in primary and middle are in rural areas, this position is almost reversed in high and secondary schools. One of the reasons is the drop-out ratio is much more in rural areas after the middle level.

The services of primary teachers are not being utilised to the maximum. Although primary teachers are capable of teaching up to middle classes, their talent is not utilised as they are not to move to an another school (that is middle) for this purpose.

So far no final decision has been taken about the introduction of English subject in schools. The previous government had introduced teaching of English from Class I in the state. However the Chief Minister now and the Education Minister have different views on this subject. While the minister wants that English should be introduced from Class III, the Chief Minister wants it to be from Class I.

Meanwhile, oral English is being taught in Classes I and II.

The Governor has accorded sanction for setting up of an elementary Directorate. The notification, which was issued on April 1, 2003, was published in the gazette of May 2, 2003.

The present system of school education is divided into four levels — primary(class I-V), middle (VI-VIII class,), high class IX-X) and senior secondary.

The four-tier school education is now being restructured into two levels, — elementary and secondary level. The former will consist of class I-VIII and the latter class IX-XII.

The Directorate of Primary Education will, henceforth, be called Directorate of Elementary Education. The Directorate of School Education will be called Directorate of Secondary Education. Similarly, there will be Director of Public Instructions (Secondary Education) and the Director of Public Instructions (Elementary Education).

All primary and middle schools under the control of the Punjab Government will now be called Government Elementary Schools. All high and senior secondary schools of Government will be called government secondary schools. However, the nomenclature and functions of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the wings working under it will remain the same.

Now, Director-General of School Education (DGSE) will be posted in the department of school education. He will be overall in charge of the work of the Directors (Elementary and School Education) and Director, SCERT.

All existing primary and middle schools operating from the same building will merge into a single elementary school, staff of both will be merged and their work-load re-distributed. All primary and middle schools operating in a village within a kilometre of each other will also merge into a single elementary school. Eventually, they will be moved into one premises.

All high schools will be redesignated as secondary schools but their secondary sections will start when at least 20 students are available.

The recommendation to start middle section in primary schools and senior secondary section in high school will be done jointly by the educational development committee of the school, parents-teachers association and schoolheads jointly. If any class is to be abolished, then too a similar recommendation will be needed. The decision to start Class VI in any elementary school will be taken by the district education officer concerned with the concurrence of the DPI (Elementary Education) while the decision to start Class XI in secondary schools will be taken by the DPI (Secondary Education).

Besides, the teaching cadre of primary schools, JBT teachers and all C&V teachers will become part of the Directorate of Elementary Education. The Block Education Officer will be competent to inspect/visit all elementary schools in the educational block.

Secondary schools will remain under the control of headmaster/principal as at present. Senior most teacher (master cadre) in elementary school will work as headmaster of the elementary school. Headteachers and centre headteachers working in primary schools will continue to work as present, except now they will work under the composite elementary school and under the control of headmaster of an elementary school.

Mr Jaswinder Singh Brar of the Centre for Research in Economic Change, Punjabi University, Patiala, in his study "Punjab’s Educational Progress, and Educational Expenditure (1967-68 to 1993-94) had pointed out in October 1999.

The education system in Punjab is not well integrated. The proliferation of multiple schooling with different affiliations has played havoc with the education system. The influential sections have withdrawn their children from government schools, both in the rural and urban areas.

The education system has become an instrument of social stratification, rather than that of cohesiveness. The upgradation of government schools due to political considerations without providing the matching facilities has disturbed equilibrium. The urban schools are overstaffed.

The practice of transfer of persons along with the post from rural areas has made these schools dysfunctional. The separating of Primary Directorate from High School Directorate has proved to be counter-productive. The inspection and monitoring system is absolutely non-functional. The concept of elementary education has been distorted and is confused with primary education.

A technical body must be involved to assess the learning achievement of students from time to time. The primary-level directorate must be replaced by the Elementary Directorate.

There is a need to draft a sound recruitment, promotion and transfer policy with strict adherence. A multi-dimensional action is required in order to make the education as an engine of growth. VP

ADMISSION DEADLINE

Armed Forces

Jun 20: Indian Army, ADG of Recruiting, West Block-III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi 110066.

www.joinindianarmy.nic.in

University Entry Scheme (13-UES) for Permanent Commission in the Army July 2004-05

Elig: Unmarried Indian male, final/ pre-final yr Engg students (Engg course in Civil/Electric/ Mech/ Telecom & Electron/BE (Comp Sc/Comp Engg/Comp Tech/ Indl/ Manufacturing/Prodn & Architec).

Age: 19-25 yrs (Final yr)/18-24 yrs (Pre-final yr).

Selectn: Tests conducted by the Services Selctn Board (SSB) followed by medical examination.

Appln F: Apply on plain paper to respective command HQ in the prescribed format, superscribe on envelope (white) in Red Ink indicating the branch of Engg. Applied for.

Details: Employment News (10-16 May) & website.

Jun 30: ADG Rtg, 10+2 (TES) Entry, West Block-III, RK Puram, New Delhi 110066.

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10+2 Tech Entry Scheme

Elig: Indian unmarried males, Cl 12 (PCM, 70%). DoB: 1 Jul '84-1 Jul ’87.

Appln F: Send in prescribed format to above add, superscribing env "Application for 10+2 (TES) Course Ser. No. 10, Jan 2004".

Details: Employment News (26 Apr- 2 May) & website.

Jul 4: The Indian Navy, Post Bag No. 4, R.K. Puram P.O. (Main), New Delhi 110066.

Admission to Naval College of Engineering, Lonavla (Pune)

Elig: Unmarried Indian males. Cl 12 (PCM, 75%) and 50% marks in Eng in Cl 10/12. DoB: 2 Dec ’84-1 Jul ’87.

Selectn: Based on merit in qualifying exam followed by SSB Interview and Medical Exam.

Appln F: Send in prescribed format to the Director at above add.

Details: Employment News (31 May- 6 June).

Arts - Performing

Jun 21: Kathak Kendra (National Institute of Kathak Dance), Bahawalpur House, Bhagwandas Rd, New Delhi 110001.

(A) Kathak Dance

(1) Foundn (3-yr), (2) Dip (Pass) (2-yr), (3) Dip (Hons) (3-yr), (4) Post Dip (2-yr), (5) Dip (3-yr) (for foreigners only), (6) Prep Phase (1-yr) (for Dip course only)

(B) Instrumental Music (Tabla/ Pakhawaj )

(1) Cert (1-yr), (2) Dip (3-yr), (3) Post Dip (2-yr)

Elig: Age: For A: (1): 9-14 yrs, (2): 12-17 yrs, (4): 15-22 yrs, (5): 15-35 yrs, (6): 12-19 yrs.

For B: (1): 14-18 yrs, (2): 15-20 yrs, (3): 18-25 yrs.

Selectn: Pre-Adm test: 3-10 Jul

Appln F: Cash at counter Rs.50/-.Send Rs 100/- by DD in favour of 'Director, Kathak Kendra, New Delhi' to above add.

Civil Services

Jun 23: Staff Selection Commission, 5th floor, Block #12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi -110 003.

Recruitment of Junior Translators

Elig, Appln F & Details: Employment News (31 May - 6 June).

Management

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) -Deptt of Distance Learning, V.L. Mehta Rd, Vile Parle (West) Mumbai 400056.

www.nmims.edu

(1) PG Dip in (Bus Mgt/ Mktg Mgt/Fin Mgt/HRM)(2-yr)

(2) Dip in (Bus Mgt/ Mktg Mgt/Fin Mgt/HRM) (1-yr)

(3) Adv Dip in (Supply Chain Mgt/Banking & Mgt/Int'l Trade Mgt)(1 yr)

Elig: For 1): Bachelor's deg. For (2) & (3) Bachelors'/ 3-yr FT Dip recog by Dir. Tech Edu. For Adv Dip in Supply Chain Mgt: Execs with 2-yr wk-ex may also apply.

Appln F & Details: Web.

June 25: Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan-313 001 (Deptt. Of Business Administration). www.mlsu.org

MHRM

Elig: Bachelors' deg /eqv exam-48%.

Selectn: Written Test (6 Jul, 7 centres incl Del), GD, Interview.

Appln F: Send Rs 250 by DD favouring "Course Director, MHRM, CCMS, M.L.Sukhadia University, Udaipur", payable at Udaipur to above add.

Details: Employment News (31 May - 6 June) & web.

Medicine

Jun 19: Sardar Bhagwan Singh Post Graduate Institute of Biomedical Science & Research, Balawala, Dehradun 248161 (UA) (Affl to HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal).

www.sbspgi.com

(1) BPharm (4-yr), (2) BPhysio (4 `BD-yr), (3) BSc Med Microbiol (3 `BD -yr), (4) BSc Med Lab Tech (Pathol/ Radiol;3 `BD -yr)

Elig: Cl 12 For 1:PCB/PCM (50%). For 2, 3: PCB (50%).

For 4: PCB/PCM/DMLT (45%).

Appln F: Send Rs 390/- by DD favouring the "Gaurav Bharti Shiksha Sansthan" payable at Dehradun to the above add.

Jun 20: Royal College of General Practitioners of UK & Apollo Hospital Educational & Research Foundation, Indraprastha, Apollo Hospital, Saritha Vihar, Mathura Rd, New Delhi.

www.medvarsity.com

Dip in Family Medicine (DFM)

Elig: MBBS, Med Council regn.

Appln F & Details: Website.

Jun 28: Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Institute for the Physically Handicapped (IPH) (University of Delhi, M/o Soc Justice & Empowerment, GoI), 4, Vishnu Digamber Marg, New Delhi 110002. www.iphnewdelhi.com

BSc (Hons) (Phys/Occupnl Therapy ) (4`BD-yr).

Elig: Cl 12 (PCB & Eng, 50%). Age: 17 yrs on 1 Oct., '03.

Selectn: Entrance test -12 Jul.

Appln Form: Send Rs. 550/- (Rs. 300/- for SC/ST) by DD favouring "The Director, IPH" payable at New Delhi to above add by Jun 21.

Details: Employment News (7-13 Jun)/ web.

Jun 23: Rajasthan Vidyapeeth's Homoeopathic Medical College, Dabok, Udaipur -311 022 (Raj).

BHMS (5`BD-yr)

Elig: Cl 12 (PCB-45%).

Selectn: Entrance Test (6 Jul, 5 centers), Interview.

Appln F: Send Rs 350/- by DD favouring "R. V. Homoeopathic Medical College", payable at Udaipur/ Dabok to above add.

Jun 24: Faculty of Ayurvedic & Unani Medicine, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007.

BAMS/BUMS/BHMS

Elig: Cl 12 (PCB, 50% for BAMS/ BUMS, 60% for BHMS). Age: 17 yrs (on 31 Oct).

Selectn: Based on Merit.

Appln F: Cash at counter Rs.100/-.Send Rs 125/- by DD favouring "Registrar, University of Delhi" payable at Delhi to the Faculty of Medical Sciences, 6th Fl, V P Chest Institute Building at above add by 16 Jun.

Sciences-Bio

Jun 22: Department of Biological Science, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur-482 001 (MP).

(1) MSc (Microbiol/ Biochem/ Biol Sc/Botany)

(2) PG Dip in Medical Mycology

Elig: For (1): BSc (with Bio, 50%) (5 seats Regular, 10 seats Self Fin & 2 seats NRI) 5 seats for sponsd. For (2): MSc (Bio Sc, 50%) / MD/MS.

Test: 29 Jun

Appln F: Send Rs 500/- by DD favouring the "Registrar, R.D. University, Jabalpur", payable at Jabalpur to above add.

University

Jun 20: Institute of Management Studies & Research, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

MBA (5-yr)

Elig: Cl 12 (50%).

Selectn: Entrance test 8 Jul.

Appln F: Cash at counter Rs.600/. Send Rs 650 by DD favouring the "Finance Officer, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak", payable at SBI, MDU Br, Rohtak.

Jun 25: Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun, Nagaur, Rajasthan.

www.jvbi.org

Regular Courses

BSW (Bachelor-Soc.Wk)

BA (For women only)

Elig: Cl 12 (50%).

Appln F: Cash at counter Rs 50/. Send Rs 75 by DD favouring "Registrar, Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, Ladnun".

Jun 23: Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.

MSc

Biochem, Biotech, Botany, Environ Sc, Genetics, Zool, Maths, Phys, Chem, Stats,

Maths, Eng, Hindi, Pol Sc, Eco, Socio, Sans, Music, Defence St, Phys Ed, Fine Arts, Geog, Psy, Hist, Pub Ad, Edu,

PG Dip (Phys Ed, Translation (Hin/ Eng), Guidance & Counseling)

MEd

LLM.

Elig & Appln F: Cash at counter Rs 500/-. Send Rs 550/- by DD favouring "Finance Officer, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak", payable at SBI, MDU Br(Code No.: 4734 ) at above add.

Jun 25: Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur 495009 (Chhatt).

CG Pre MBA-MCA Entrance Test-2003

Elig: For1: Bachelors'/Masters' Deg For 2: Bachelors' (Maths-10+2).

Selectn: Entrance test 6 Jul

Appln F: Cash at counter Rs 1000/-. Send Rs 1050 (for MBA): and Cash at counter Rs 600/-.Send Rs 650 (for MCA): by DD favouring "The Registrar, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, C.G., payable at Bilaspur.

Jun 25: Guru Ghasidas University, University Teaching Deptt, Bilaspur 495009 (Chhatt)

MSc: Anthro, Biotech, Comp Sc, Forestry Wild Life & Environ Sc, Info Tech (2 yr), Info tech (5 yr), (Tech) Maths, Maths, Phys (Mat Sc), Electron

MA: Anthro, Maths, Eco, Eng, Hindi, Pub Adm Mass Comm & Journ, Hist

MPhil: Pol Sc, Eng, Hindi, Com, Hist

PG: Dip in Extn Edu & Soc Wk, Yoga Edu & Philo, Yoga Sc & Naturopathy

MCom (Bus Adm)

Master of Soc Wk (MSW)

Master of Rural Tech & Mgt (MRTM)

BJMC, MCA, MlibISc, BPEd, MPEd, BPharma, BE, MBA

BSc (Hons-Biotech),

BRTM (Bachelor-Rural Tech & Mgt),

Elig, Selecn & Appln F: Cash at counter Rs 150/-. Send Rs 200 by DD favouring "Registrar, Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur", payable at Bilaspur (for detailed Info Brochure) at above add.

Jun 20: Guru Nanak Dev University, Deptt of Journalism and Mass Communication, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Regional Campus, Ladhewali Road, Jalandhar (Pun).

MA (Mass Comm)

Elig: Bachelors'/Masters' deg (50%).

Selectn: Entrance test 25 Jun

Appln F & Details: Contact Tel #: 0181-2414213/ 2414542/ 98143-13317.

— Pervin Malhotra, Director, CARING (http://www.careerguidanceindia.com), New Delhi, Email: pervin-trib@careerguidanceindia.com