EDUCATION

Inter-school painting contest
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 12 — Over 3,200 students from nearly 40 schools participated in a painting competition organised by Talent Search, a Delhi-based event organiser, at Hardy’s World here today.

The first overall trophy was bagged by the students of DAV Public School. While the first runners-up trophy went to the students of Kundan Vidya Mandir, students of GMT School got the second runners-up trophy.

The students were divided into five groups. In group E with students from classes XI and XII, Gursimran from DAV Public School was declared first. Gagandeep, again from the same school, stood second and Shivani from Kundan Vidya Mandir was declared third. Fourth prize went to Simran from Spring Dale Public School and Gaganpreet of Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur stood fifth.

In group D with students from classes VIII to X, Gurmeet of St Thomas School clinched the first prize, Rima Jaggi of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School stood second and Satish Sri of KVM was declared third. Fourth prize went to Arun of DAV Public School and Vikas Luthra of St Thomas School.

In group C with students of classes V to VII, Gaurav of DAV Public School bagged the first prize, while Tusheer and Ramneek, again from the same school, were declared second and third, respectively. Khiyati and Jasleen, both from Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, were declared fourth and fifth, respectively.

In group B with students from classes I to IV, Priyanka of DAV Public School, Chahat and Garry from GMT School stood second and third, Rashi of DAV Public School was declared fourth while fifth prize went to Vishal of Shefali Public School.

In group A with students from nursery, LKG and UKG, Riya and Rajneet from KVM School were declared first and second, respectively, Blin Gogia from DAV Public School stood third and Amal and Shivangi, both from KVM were declared fourth and fifth, respectively.

Mr Vijay Chopra, chief editor of Punjab Kesri, was the chief guest. Mr Satpal Gosain, deputy speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Mr M.M. Vyas, chairman, Improvement Trust, Mr Deepak Baweja, chairman, Talent Search India, were also present.

‘Raise retirement age to 62’
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Nov 12 — The age of retirement for the staff of all colleges should be raised to 62 years by the Punjab Government as per the UGC notification and decision taken by the PU Senate. This issue was discussed by nearly 30 principals of non-government colleges affiliated to Panjab University at a meeting held at Gujranwala Guru Nanak Khalsa College here last evening.

The President of the association and Principal of the AS College, Khanna, Mr Tarsem Bahia, informed that the principals expressed resentment over the non-implementation of the UGC pay revision scheme of 1998. It may be mentioned that according to the scheme, the selection grade of principals who had served for more than 15 years and were Ph.D should be revised as Rs 16,400-22,000.

The principals also discussed the issue of 40-hour stay of teachers in the college. They decided that with the implementation of the rule, the teachers could prepare lectures, do self-study and work for promoting cultural and sports activities in their college campus. However, they all unanimously decided to implement the rule in a flexible way.