EDUCATION

‘Need to revise home science curriculum’
From Surbhi Bhalla

LUDHIANA, June 24 — Higher edcation in several disciplines is facing challenges with the advent of new and promising areas attractive to students. Home science is going through a critical phase in several universities. PAU is no exception. There is a decreasing trend in the number of students seeking admission to this course. The phenomenon surprises everyone with two questions: has it become non-utilitarian? and does it lack the strength to turn out professionals?

Keeping all this in mind, Dr S.L. Mehta said at a meeting in Hyderabad that home science should not be isolated and should be able to keep pace with changes in international scenario. He also appreciated the efforts of the ICAR in improving postgraduate education.

He expressed the need for restructuring the curricula at the postgraduate level and desired that the new curriculum be implemented from 2002. He was of the opinion that until the curriculum delivery was ensured, curriculum had no meaning.

Mrs S.K. Mann (Dean, College of Home Science), PAU, is of the view that courses should be more job-oriented and impart entrepreneurial training to students.

In view of this, the BSc home science programme has been restructured in terms of eligibility, duration, internship and rural home work experience.

At present, a number of problems are being faced in admission, laboratory facilities, internship and interaction with industry.

Home science must be changed to improve its image and opportunities. Twelve names were proposed but human ecology was finalised.

Home science discipline has to cater to the needs of illiterate and semi-literate women engaged in agriculture and literate women managing farms, agri-business and rules enterprises.

The areas of specialisation have been upgraded. Now, MSc in food science and nutrition will include specialisation in community nutrition, human nutrition, food services management and dietetics.MSc in human development would include child development and family studies. MSc in family resource management would include, entrepreneur management and consumer ergonomics. MSc in extension education will have specialisation in areas of distance education, development programme management, extension training management and home and farm journalism. MSc in clothing and textiles would include apparel designing and manufacturing and textile designing.

PU sub-office demand in city
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, June 24 — In view of the inconvenience being caused to students, teachers, parents and the general public in regard to results declared by Panjab University, submission of forms and fees and other official activities relating to Panjab University, the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) has demanded setting up of a PU sub-office at Ludhiana.

According to Mr K.B.S. Sodhi, President, PCCTU, this demand has remained unattended for the past four years. Of the 84 colleges affiliated to PU, 28 are in Ludhiana district. Similarly, about 35% of the student strength enrolled with PU hail from Ludhiana district. Setting up of a sub-office with latest IT appliances shall be of great help to the public of Ludhiana.

The PCCTU President urged the PU fellows from Ludhiana to raise this demand at proper forums of the PU. It has also demanded setting up of two such offices — one in Cotton belt covering Moga, Muktsar, Ferozepore, Abohar etc and one covering Doaba region, comprising Hoshiarpur, Dasuya, Tanda, Mukerian, Garhshankar, Gardhiwala and Hariana etc.

The PCCTU will take up this demand in the meeting with Education Minister to be held soon. 

CULTURE

Dance competition
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, June 24 — A dance competition organised at Guru Nanak Public International School, here concluded today. The coordinator were Mrs Aruna Verma and her daughter, Jyotika Verma. Fifty students participated in the dance competition.

There were 21 solo performance in the junior and senior groups each. There were eight group dances in all.

In the junior group, Manmeet (10) got first prize, while Kanika (8) stood second. Gagandeep Singh (7) bagged third prize Consolation prizes went to Raina, Himani, Rubina, Rashmed, and Bipan Preet (youngest participant)

In the senior group, Rupinder Kaur (12) bagged first positions. Paramjot (11) and Eknoor Saini (12) bagged second and third prizes.

Consolation prizes went to Aakashdeep Singh, Prabhjot Singh and Vipin Gupta.