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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
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Make higher education affordable
Move to improve classroom teaching
Teen rickshaw puller third in board exam
Campus Notes
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Make higher education affordable “The real wealth of a nation is its people. And, the purpose of development is to create an enabling environment for people to enjoy long, healthy and creative lives. This simple but powerful truth is too often forgotten in the pursuit of material and financial wealth.” These opening lines of the first Human Development Report, brought out by UNDP in 1990, aptly underline the fact that education is the key input in the creation of human capital and in turn in development. The new growth theorists emphasise that education, learning and skill formation enhance the productivity of the people who, in turn, contribute more to the process of economic growth. The continuous accumulation of knowledge can result in attaining higher levels of per capita income. Kerala is a classical example, as its per capita income was 51 per cent of Punjab in 1981-82, which rose to 71 per cent and 88 per cent in 2001-02 and 2005-06, respectively. The high growth rate in the high-performing Asian economies—Japan, Hongkong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and China—has much to do with their investment in education. Thus, education, particularly higher education, is sine qua non for generation, absorption, transmission, preservation, dissemination and application of knowledge. It is the educated people of the country, even of a poor economy, who would be able to promote, assert and protect their national interest in the fast-emerging knowledge society. The 1995 UNESCO Report emphasises that “access to higher education and the broad range of services it can render to a society, is part and parcel of any sustainable development programme in which human expertise and professional skills are required”. A government of India’s report of 1986, points out that higher education is the substrate on which research and development flourish, which is the ultimate guarantee of national self-reliance. Tomorrow’s world will require highly qualified specialists and increasingly flexible generalists. The higher educational scenario in Punjab has, however, not been very encouraging. The enrolment ratio in higher education, out of the eligible age group (18-23 years of age, with +2 qualification) has been hovering around 8 per cent during the last about three decades. The dropout rate from Class I to X is around 48 per cent. Approximately, 65 to 85 per cent of students in rural government primary schools belong to SCs, BCs and other economically weaker sections. About 69 per cent of total households and 90 per cent of labour households in rural Punjab do not have even a single member with matriculation. According to a recent study by Punjabi University, Patiala, the proportion of rural students on the campuses and regional centres of the universities of Punjab (Panjab, Punjabi, Guru Nanak Dev University and PAU) during the academic session 2005-06 was only 4.07 per cent. The share of rural students in all the degree-level professional courses in Punjab is less than 4 per cent. Compared to it, the proportion of rural population in Punjab is around 66 per cent. The successive governments’ apathetic attitude towards education, particularly that of rural area, has been responsible for such a disgusting state of affairs. The share of education, sports and culture in the state Budget declined from 22 per cent in 1970-71 to 17 per cent in 1980-81 and further to 12 per cent in 2004-05. The shortage of teachers, headmasters and principals in the state-run schools is more than 30,000. Rajasthan, with almost half of the per capita income of Punjab, is giving free education to the girls up to the highest degree in all the streams of education, whereas Punjab is charging high tuition fee and funds beyond the +2 level. More than 90 per cent rural people and a sizeable proportion of urban people in Punjab would not be having access to higher education because of exorbitantly high fees and funds of private institutions. It is significant to note that the successive governments of Punjab have been mobilising the taxes to the tune of Rs 3000 to Rs 7000 crore per annum during the last about 20 years. Thus, the real problem is not the resource-crunch but the lack of political will and wrong type of prioritisation. The lack of political will is mainly because of the absence of organised social movements. The unwritten agenda of all the political parties, the civil bureaucracy, the academia and affluent people of Punjab is to first wreck the public institutions and then provide a rationale for the entry of for-profit-private service providers in the education sector. Such a policy would prove to be counter productive, not only for the development of Punjab but also to the enlightened self-interest of the above-mentioned sections of population. The declining share of public spending on education and Union Minister Mani Shanker Iyer’s remarks in Parliament (“After every five years people decide which political party/alliance will rule them but once the elections are over the companies decide about what would be the policies”) amply legitimises the above perception. In view of the deteriorating agricultural scenario, and absence of other natural resources, human resources are the main stakes of Punjab. However, given the present extent and quality of education in the rural Punjab, reaping demographic dividend would remain a distant dream. The exclusion of rural people from education shall not only tantamount to their further marginalisation but also result in the development of a mediocre society, which would have serious repercussions for socio-economic development of the state in future. The political leadership, bureaucracy, and the affluent people of Punjab must understand that the higher education can’t be funded only through fees and funds being paid by the students. It has never happened in any country of the world. Even the World Bank has recognised higher education as a ‘merit’ and ‘public’ good which deserves public funding. It is thus imperative to make higher education accessible at affordable cost. The resource crunch will never be an excuse once the political will is there. It is a well-acknowledged fact that where people are unaware and unconcerned, governments are irresponsive; but where people are aware and concerned, governments are responsive. So, people will have to build a social movement on the issues of social concerns.
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Move to improve classroom teaching NAWANSHAHR: After improving infrastructure in the government schools in the state, the Sarv Shikhiya Abhiyan Authority, Punjab, is all set to bring in qualitative improvement in actual classroom teaching. Recently, the Director-General School Education, Krishan Kumar, launched “Paro Punjab”, a comprehensive programme for improving classroom teaching at the primary level. Under the
programme, the teachers are being trained to develop innovative teaching methods, so that the children studying in primary schools may get familiar with the basic concepts of different subjects. To lay stress on the teaching of mathematics and science subjects from classes VI to VIII , Krishan Kumar has also given a comprehensive programme of methodology of teaching with the help of teaching aids like models, CDs, etc., so that the interest of the students in learning basic formulas of mathematics, geometry, etc., be developed. Giving this information, Balihar Singh
Bains, District Science Supervisor, said a month-wise syllabus had been distributed to all the schools and to ensure regular monitoring of the performance of the students, the teachers had been asked to conduct house tests of Mathematics and science subjects on the first and third Monday, respectively. He said the teachers have also been asked to celebrate
Maths/Science Weeks/Days etc. in the schools. They had been asked to keep proper record of the monthly tests and to submit the progress report of the students in the last week of the month to their respective district science supervisors. Similarly, a programme to ensure regular inspection of science laboratories to ensure maintenance of proper record, usage and supply of requite laboratory material and apparatus etc. has also been issued. Besides, a programme of month-wise tests of the students from class VI to X has also been given. With a view to preparing the students for the competitive examinations like
IIT, AIEEE, PMET, CET, etc., special classes through satellite for the science students have also been started in the schools. Edusat classrooms have been made operational in the senior secondary schools, which have science stream. Besides regular class room teaching in schools, +1 science students are being taught the different subjects through satellite during the school timings and the +2 science students are being taught after the school hours.
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Teen rickshaw puller third in board exam ISLAMABAD: Studying during the day and pulling a rickshaw in the evening to support his family of six, 17-year-old Ali has overcome all odds to stand third in the Lahore Board’s secondary school examination. Seeing his grit, the government has awarded him Rs 5 million (nearly $70,000) to help him complete his education. “I used to study in the day and pull the rickshaw after my school hours to earn for my family,” Ali told IANS from his hometown
Kasur, some 50 km from Lahore.
“My father developed heart problems and couldn’t pull the rickshaw and so I had to earn money for my brothers and sisters,” said Ali, who uses only one name.
Apart from his ailing father, Ali’s family includes his mother and four siblings. He said that he had actually decided to give up studies completely to earn a living. But when his school’s vice-principal came to know that Ali would quit studies, he immediately called him and persuaded him against his decision. The teenager said his teachers motivated him to continue studying. “Two of my teachers even came and asked my father to convince me to carry on with my studies and work in the evening,” he recalled.
Ali then rejoined school after a break of almost two months. The youngster said that he would carry his books along with him and study whenever he got time.
“This paid off and I got the third position in the board,” said an overjoyed Ali, who wants to be an economist. He has big dreams not only for his country but for the whole of South Asia. “My aim is to eradicate poverty not only from Pakistan but from the poor countries of our whole region. I want to see this region developed like Europe and America as we see on television and movies,” he said.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest at the medal distribution ceremony for the Lahore Board’s toppers. When he came to know that Ali is a rickshaw puller and dreamt of becoming an economist, he immediately announced a Rs 5 million award for him to complete his studies.
Ali said that he would use the award money to educate his brothers and sisters
as well.
The youngster even had a message for the SAARC leaders meeting in Colombo. He has appealed to them to divert a large chunk of resources for increasing literacy levels in the region. He firmly believes only education can bring the region at par with developed countries. — IANS |
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Campus Notes The university has changed the eligibility criterion for pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The candidates intended to pursue the Ph.D degree should now have at least 55 per cent marks in postgraduation or an equivalent degree from a recognised Indian/foreign university in the subject concerned of allied subjects. In case of SC/ST candidates, the eligibility condition would be 50 per cent marks in the Master’s degree. The similar criteria would be followed for admission to various M.Phil courses. Dr S. S Chahal, Director of Research, said the decision had been implemented by the university in the faculties of arts and social sciences, languages, education, visual arts and performing arts, sciences, humanities and religious studies, economics and business, laws, agriculture, forestry and food technology, physical education, planning and architecture, sports medicine and physiotherapy and other faculties.
ASC gets Rs 30 lakh grant from UGC
Academic Staff College (ASC) of the university has received Rs 30 lakh grant from University Grants Commission (UGC) for conducting workshops, general orientation and refresher courses for the year 2008-2009. The ASC Director, Prof Harbhajan Singh Bhatia, said under this the department would organise a workshop for the principals of various colleges on the theme of “Knowledge and Ethics” in coming few months. Bhatia said the college was committed for the cause of knowledge and education and acted like a bridge between the university and colleges. He said the UGC had accepted the scheduled for general orientation courses and refresher courses. The ASC has held as many as 21 refresher courses in one year relating to sciences, social sciences, languages, humanities, etc., he said
Senate nomination
Dr S. S. Chahal, Director of Research, has been included on the Senate and Syndicate of the university. He would remain as member of the Senate for two years till June 30, 2010, and as Syndic till June 30, 2009.
Research projects sanctioned
To encourage the young scholars and to promote research, the university has sanctioned Rs 25,000 each to five scholars for minor projects of one year. Dr S. S. Chahal, Director of Research, said the amount was granted from a research corpus fund of Rs 11 crore created by the university for this purpose to encourage research. Those who were granted the research projects includes Dr Kawalpreet Bhatti (applied physics), Dr Amarjeet Kaur (microbiology), Dr Saranjit Kaur (pharmaceuticals sciences), Dr Pooja Chadha (zoology) and Dr Puja Ohri (zoology). Dr Bhatti was sanctioned the amount for his research project “Synthesis of transition metal doped zinc oxide nanoparticles for spintronic devices, Dr Amarjeet Kaur for “Cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor from a movel fungal isolate optimisation and strain improment”, Dr Sarabjit Kaur for “Pharmacognostic investigation and anti-anxiety activity studies of melilotus officinalis”, Dr Chadha for “Studies on chromosomal polymorphism and c-banding pattern in acridid grasshoppers of Amritsar” and Dr Ohri for “Bioefficacy of brassica juncea (seed extracts) against Root-knot nematode, meliodogyne incognita (kofoid and white) chitwood”. — Contributed by P. K. Jaiswar
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Armed Forces Indian Army, Directorate General Remount Veterinary Services (RV-1), QMG’s Branch, Integrated Headquarters of MoD (Army), West Block 3, RK Puram, New Delhi 110066 Remount Veterinary Corps (SSC) Eligibility: Males;
BVSc / BVSc & AH or equivalent degree. Selection: SSB Interview Application Form: Send in prescribed format on a plain paper (21cm x 36 cm) with required documents to above address by 29 August 2008. Superscribe in red ink "Application for Short Service Commission in RVC" on envelope. Details: Employment News (26 July – 01 August 2008). Application Deadline: 29 August 2008
Integrated HQ of MoD (Army), Adjutant General’s Branch, Director General of Medical Services (DGMS), 4B, Room No 45, ‘L’ Block Hutments, New Delhi 110001 Military Nursing Service (SSC) Eligibility: Indian
women candidates with BSc Nursing / Post Certificate BSc
(Nursing) / MSc Nursing; registered as State Registered Nurse
& Midwife Selection: Written Test: 2nd week of October, Interview; Medical Exam. Application Form: Send in prescribed format to the Director General of Medical Services at the above address. Application Deadline: 31 August 2008 Civil Services UP Public Service
Commission, 10 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Allahabad 211018 (UP) Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services (Special Recruitment) Exam 2008 Eligibility: Bachelors Degree DoB: 21-35 years (on 01 July ’08) Selection: Entrance Test; Interview Details: Employment News (26 July – 01 August 2008) / Website. Application Deadline: 22 August 2008 Engineering Central Tool Room
& Training Centre, Bonhooghly Industrial Area, Kolkata
700108 (WB) (M/o MSME, GoI Society) 1) Certificate Course in Compressed Tool and Die Making (1 year) 2) Post Diploma
in (Tool Design / CAD/CAM) (1 year) 4) Post Diploma in (CAD/CAM integrated CNC Machining / Machine Maintenance / CNC Machine Maintenance) (1 year) 5) Certificate Course in Machinist (1 year) Eligibility: For
1: ITI / Diploma / Engg (Mechanical / Production) Application Form: Download from website. Details: Employment News (26 July – 01 August 2008) / Website Course Commences: 11 August 2008 Thapar University,
Department of Distance Education, Patiala 147004 (Punj) (Deemed
University) BTech (Distance Mode): Civil, Computer Science & Engg, Electrical, Mechanical Engg (3 years) Eligibility: Diploma
in relevant area of engg (3 years) with 3 years relevant work
experience Entrance Test: 31 August 2008 (Patiala, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai & Bangalore) Application Form: Send Rs. 550/- by DD favouring "Registrar, Thapar University," payable at Patiala at the above address / Download from website. Also at counter: Rs. 500/- cash. Details: Website. Application Deadline: 18 August 2008 Government Polytechnic, Ambala City (Har) Diploma Courses: Electrical & Mechanical Engineering (Part Time, 4 years) Eligibility: Class
10; 2 years ITI course with minimum 1 year work experience /
10+2 Vocational Course with 1 year work-ex / 1 year ITI with 2
years work-ex / Class 10 with 3 years work-ex; (work-ex in
Government / Semi Government / Autonomous / Private Organization
or self-employed) Application Form: From Counter: Rs.500/- . Application Deadline: 14 August 2008
Chitkara School of
Hospitality, Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway (affiliated to
NCHMCT & IGNOU) Diploma Courses (1½
years): Eligibility:
10+2 (with English). Application Form & Details: Website Course Commences: 04 August 2008
Haryana Urdu Akademi, Akademi Bhawan, IP 16, Sector 14, Panchkula (Har) Correspondence Course in Urdu (1 year) Application Form: At the above address for Rs. 50/- Application Deadline: 31 August 2008
Indian Institute
of Social Welfare & Business Management, Management House,
College Square (West), Kolkata 700073 (WB) MBA & MHRM (2
years) Eligibility: Bachelors degree (50%) Selection: CAT 2008 scores; GD; Interview. Application Form: Send Rs 1075/- by Bank Draft favouring "IISWBM", payable at Kolkata to above address / Download from website. Details: Website. Indian Institute
of Management (IIM-I), Prabandh Shikhar, Rau-Pithampur Road,
Indore 453331 (MP) Fellow Programme in Management (Full Time, Residential) (Communication / Finance & Accounting / Financial Economics / Information Systems / International Business / Marketing Mgmt / Operations Mgmt & Quantitative Techniques / Organizational Behaviour & HRM Areas / Strategic Mgmt / Entrepreneurship) Eligibility: Masters degree (55%) with minimum 50% in graduation, CA / ICWA / CS (55%) / BE / BTech (60%) with 2-year work experience. Selection: CAT-2008 score. GATE 2008 applicants / GRE / GMAT 2008 / UGC-JRF (Research) qualified applicants also eligible to apply without taking CAT. Fellowship: All academic & living expenses. Stipend: Rs. 15,000/- pm (first and second year) and Rs. 20,000/- pm (third and fourth year) Application Form: Send Rs 300/- by DD favouring "Indian Institute of Management, Indore" payable at Indore at the above address / Download from website. Details: Website Application Deadline: 12 November 2008 Army Welfare Education Society, Army HQ, Kashmir House, New Delhi www.aimt.ac.in / www.aim.ac.in MBA Program (2
years) Eligibility: Bachelors degree (50%); Selection: CAT 2008 score; GD; Interview. Details: Website Application Deadline: 06 December 2008 Medicine National Institute
of Homoeopathy, Block GE, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106
(WB) (Autonomous Organisation under M/o Health & Family
Welfare, GoI) BHMS (5½ years) (Affiliated to WB University of Health Sciences) Eligibility: 10+2 (PCB & English, 50%) Age: 17 years (On 31 December 2008) Entrance Test: 07 September ‘08 Application Form
& Details:
Website Government College
of Yoga Education & Health, Sector 23, Chandigarh (Punj)
(affiliated to Panjab University,. Chandigarh) PG Diploma in Yoga Therapy Eligibility: Bachelors
degree, 50%; Details: Website Application Deadline: 08 August 200 Scholarships Directorate of
Education, Sports Branch, Chhatrasal Stadium, Model Town, Delhi
110009 Rajiv Gandhi
State Sports Award 2007 Application Deadline: 08 August 2008 Indian Institute
of Advanced Study, Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla 171005 (HP) Advanced Research
Fellowships: Eligibility: Scholars working in and on the North-Eastern region & weaker sections preferred. Application Form & Details: Website. Sciences Social University of
Allahabad, D/o Geography, Allahabad 211002 (UP) PG Diploma in Tourism Administration (1 year) Eligibility: Bachelors Degree Selection: Test & Interview. Application Form: Send Rs. 350/- by DD favouring "The Course Co-ordinator Tourism Administration" payable at SBI University of Allahabad Branch at the above address by 31 August ’08 / Download from website. Details: Employment News (26 July – 01 August 2008) / Website Travel & Transportation Commander Ali’s Academy of Merchant Navy, Plot No 225/226, NCL North Avenue, Kompally, Secunderabad 500014 (AP) (Approved DG Shipping, GoI) HND in
Nautical Science (2
years) Eligibility: 10+2 (PCM, 55% and 50% in English in Class 10 & 12) Age Limit:
17 - 22 years (on 01 September ‘08) Application Deadline: 25 August 2008 University Hamdard
University, Jamia Hamdard, Directorate of Open & Distance
Learning, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi 110062 (Deemed University) 1) PG Diploma: Application Form: Available at Jamia study centres / Office of the Directorate of Open & Distance Learning: Rs 100/- / Download from website. Details: Employment News (26 July – 02 August 2008) / Website Application Deadline: 18 August 2008 Alagappa
University, Directorate of Distance Education, Karaikudi 630003
(TN) UG
Programmes (3
years) PG Diploma Programmes (1 year) Certificate Programmes (6 months) Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 30 August 2008 Pondicherry
University, Directorate of Distance Education, Pondicherry
605014 (TN) PG Programme: MCom
(Finance) / MA (Tamil / English / Hindi / Sociology) Application Form: Send Rs 150/- by DD favouring "The Finance Officer, Pondicherry University", payable at Pondicherry with 2 typed self-addressed slips to the Director at the above address / Download from website. Details: Website. Application Deadline: 30 October 2008 Pervin Malhotra, Director, Career Guidance India (CARING) (www.careerguidanceindia.com)
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