Ludhiana, August 31
The Punjab College of Technical Education (PCTE) have is pulsating with global spirit. Contributing to it are two students from Zimbabwe, one each from Tanzania and Ghana along with six students from Limpopo province of South Africa who comprise the mix of foreign students enrolled in various courses at the college at presently.

This year four foreign students comprising Kuda and Petronela from Zimbabwe, Alex Nsowah from Ghana and Henry Baraka from Tanzania have joined BBA and BCA courses on PCTE campus. Apart from the students, one faculty member Kenya, Mr Boaz, has also joined PCTE to teach Business Communication to the students here.

Six students from the Limpopo province of South Africa have already been studying at PCTE. Out of them Farzana Fakir, has completed her MBA course and got placement in a prestigious bank in Johhansburg, South Africa.

Kuda, a student from Zimbabwe, told that he came to know of PCTE through a site on the internet, in which PCTE had been ranked sixth among the top B-schools of the country. “I am quite impressed with the institute. I feel it is a suitable place to obtain higher education”, he said.

Sharing her views with mediapersons here today, Petronela from Zimbabwe said she had been working with a Public University as web designer. “I was interested in enhancing my skills in the field of computers and came to know of PCTE through my university”, said Patronela. She further added that she would prefer to pursue her higher education at PCTE besides working after the college hours.

Henry Baraka from Tanzania has joined PCTE for pursuing graduation in Business Administration (BBA). Henry informed that his brother was studying in Delhi and he had recommended PCTE to him.

Dr K.N.S Kang, Director, PCTE, welcomed the new students and wished them good luck and success in future.

Ludhiana, August 31
A pensioners’ body in a press note has said to maintain the sanctity of the Teachers day, the Union and State governments should fulfil one or the other outstanding demands of the teachers. For instance, the Haryana Government has already granted the benefit of 50 percent DA merger with basic pay for its aided-college teachers. However, Punjab is still dilly-dallying on this issue.

Similarly, aided - college teachers in Haryana are already getting pension and benefit of DA on pensions. But Punjab seems to be in no mood to implement the pension scheme for its aided college staff.

The pensioners’ Association has urged Capt Amarinder Singh to announce the benefit of 50 per cent DA merger with basic pay and launching of pension scheme for its aided-college staff on September 5.

Ludhiana, August 31
The level of education in the state would be upgraded through various schemes. This was stated by Mr S.S. Randhawa, Director, SCERT, in an interview with Ludhiana Tribune. He said: “The government has planned various types of training programmes for teachers. There is a plan afoot to train four members of the Village Education Development Committee (VEDC). There are 18,800 VEDC’s and four will be trained at cluster level. Then education volunteers will be given one-month training . They will be taught child psychology and teaching methodology. Services of senior citizens would be availed of in teaching these volunteers . Training of Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) will be undertaken. There are 3000 EGS centres wherein 3,500 volunteers are working . They will be taught to enroll children who have left school and to ensure 100 per cent retention. For this the teachers will be trained to adopt play way method and also teach students according to their age groups.”

Mr Randhawa was in the city as chief guest at a seminar on “National Curriculum Framework, 2005,” organised for Principals in Government Inservice Teachers’ Training Centre, here today.

Mr Randhawa further said the training of computer teachers under Information Computer Technology (ICT) scheme was going on. He said 1,400 schools had been provided with minimum of 10-15 computers each.

He said new curriculum would be devised wherein education would be more useful for the society. New curriculum will include child psychology concerning elementary education. He said we want that type of education where there is no spoon feeding and the students are encouraged to think independently.

The seminar was attended by 29 principals of In Service Teachers Training Centres and principals of DIET.

Mr Baldev Raj, Deputy Director, SCERT, said teachers would have to become outstanding in their profession.

Ludhiana, August 31
A drawing and handwriting competition for junior classes was held at Everest Public Senior Secondary School, Motinagar, here today. Many students participated in the competition organised by the Hindustan Pencils Ltd.

The results are as under. Drawing — Shivam Gogna, Ist, Suman Giri, 2nd, Gurinder Singh, 3rd; Consolation prizes: Jaswant Kaur, Harpreet Singh and Ajay Kumar.

Handwriting competition — Harpret Kaur, Ist, Sania Girdhar, 2nd, Roop Lata, 3rd. Consolation prizes — Tanavi, Nidhi and Abhisekh.

A poem recitation competition was held at Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Daad, Pakhowal Road, here today.

The competition was presided over by school Chairman, Mr Avtar Singh Makkar. Balwinder Kaur and Ms Suman Kohli of SVM School, Ms Sonia Jindal of BCM School, Urban Estate, were the judges.

A prize distribution function was also organised to honour the position holders of the school session 2004-05.

Principal Manjit Kaur emphasised the importance of these competitions as they develop the oratory skills of the students. She said it enabled them to converse confidently.

On the occasion, a prize distribution function was also organised. Position holders of the session 2004-05 were given prizes. Parminder Kaur of class I was given the maximum smart student awards.

There were 71 entries in the poem recitation competition. The results of the competition are as follows: Hindi Group I-Sehajpreet Kaur, Ist, Arshleen Kaur 2nd; group II — Jasmeet Singh, Ist, Prabhleen K. Lamba, 2nd; group III — Kawalpreet Kaur, Ist, Amarjot Kaur, 2nd, Simranjeet Kaur, 3rd; English group I — Muskan Singh, 1st, Ekjot Singh, 2nd.

Group II — Ruhi Kamra, Ist; Group III — Rahul Kumar Ist, Trishmeet Kaur 2nd, Harpreet Singh Sandal 3rd; Punjabi group I —Arshdeep Singh, Ist, Kiranpreet Kaur, 2nd, Amarjot Kaur, 3rd; Group II — Amritpal Singh, Ist, Kawaljeet Kaur, 2nd, Amanpreet Kaur, 3rd.

Following students of Guru Nank Public School obtained these ranks in the PMET: Amanjot Kaur (rank 70), Mahdeep Singh (90), Arshdeep Singh (183), Jaskaran Singh (183), Harneet Singh (262), Prineeta Sangha (333), Divsheen (360), Kavneet (577), Manpreet K. Dhillon (580), Harmala (687), Prabhleen (15 Reserved), Ruhani Bali (48 Reserved).

Ludhiana, August 31
The Bharat Jan Gyan Vigyan Jatha ( BJGVJ) observed vanamahotsava at Government Primary School, Lalton Kalan, here today.

The students of the school, staff members, members of the jatha and villagers planted about 250 saplings.

Addressing the students, Dr Arun Mitra, general secretary of the jatha, said “the increase in pollution level adversely affecting the health of people particularly of children. Plants play a big role in keeping the environment clean and the planting of trees is thus responsibility of all of us”.

He further said,” Children should look after the saplings planted today. Every child must plant at least one plant every year.” Mr Surinder Sachdeva recited a poem on environment protection on the occasion. Handbills on environment protection and about dengue fever were also distributed. Maj Shamsher Singh Aulukh, Dr Rajinder Pal Singh, Dr Gurpreet Singh Ratan, Baljinder Kaur, Amarjeet Kaur (Sarpanch Lalton Kalan), Mr Gurjan Singh, Mr Mohan Singh, Mr Tarsem Lal, Mr Kuldeep Singh, Ms Balvinder Kaur, Ms Veena Katarla, Ms Amarjeet Kaur, Mr Sodagr Singh, and Mr Darshan Singh were present on the occasion.