EDUCATION

Rs 165 cr for improving education standard
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 24
With a view to improve the standard of education in the state, an amount of Rs 130 crore would be spent under the new Education Policy during the current financial year.

This was stated by Mr Tej Parkash Singh, Transport Minister, Punjab, while speaking at the annual prize distribution function of Saraswati Model High School, Doraha, about 22 km from here yesterday.

The minister said the government had already spent Rs 65 crore on improving the environmental conditions in rural schools and constructing new buildings, toilets, boundary walls etc. An equal amount of grant had been received from the Central Government and the same was being spent on enhancing the quality of education.

He said special arrangements were being made to ensure the presence of students in primary government schools in villages. All primary schools were being merged into the nearest middle schools with a view to properly utilise the services of qualified staff available in those schools.

The minister said the aim of the new Education Policy to ensure all-round development of students with a view to make them good citizens. He said special emphasis was being laid on extracurricular activities and sport. More and more opportunities of competitions would be created, he said. He appealed the teachers to cooperate with the government in improving the quality of education in schools and to work harder to inculcate good habits in students. He announced a grant of Rs 30, 000 out of his discretionary quota for the school.

Mr Jagtar Singh, DPI (Schools), said, “With a view to ensure presence of students in primary schools, a mid-day meal scheme has been launched in one Development Block of each district in the state and the funds under this programme are being spent by the Village Education Development Committees.” He said all development works in the rural schools would be carried out through these committees in future.

Mr D.S. Gosain, Principal of the school, highlighted the achievements of the school in education and other activities.

Mr M.L. Goel president of the Managing Committee, Mr Sudarshan Kumar, President, Doraha MC, Mr Bant Singh Doburji, ex-chairman of the Budhewal Sugar Mill, were also present on the occasion.

National Integration Week at DMCH
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 25
The Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) observed National Integration Week by holding various activities on the theme ‘Communal harmony, national integration and fraternity’ on the old DMC campus.

The programme was specially planned for medical and nursing students and was conducted under the aegis of the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), New Delhi, which had declared November 19 to November 25, as Week for Communal Harmony.

Dr S.C.Ahuja, Principal, DMCH, said in a press note today that on November 22, a paper reading contest took place in which various nursing students of the DMCH read their papers on ‘Communal harmony’. The week concluded today with declamation, slogan-writing, poster and collage-making contests in which undergraduate and nursing students took part with zeal.

For the declamation contest on the topic ‘National integration’, judges were Ms S. Bector, Dr M.L.Gupta, Dr Parambir Sandhu and Dr Kuldeep Singh. Balpreet Kaur stood first, Mukul Mohindra stood second while Arti stood third in the contest.

Dr Monisha Gupta, Dr J. Bindra, Dr B.S. Shah and Dr Puneet Pooni were the judges for the slogan- writing, poster and collage-making contests. In the slogan-writing contest, Hanish Bansal bagged the first prize and Vishwadeep and Ramandeep were declared second. In the poster making competition, Pawandeep stood first, Vishwadeep was second and Manjit bagged the third prize. Certificates and prizes were also given to the winners. Dr Daljit Singh, Dean, Academics, also spoke on the occasion.

Annual day function of school
Our Correspondent

Doraha, November 25
The annual day function and prize distribution ceremony of Guru Nanak Senior Secondary School was held here yesterday.

Mr Paramjit Singh Saroo, SSP, Khanna, was the chief guest on the occasion. Ms Urmil Sood, Principal of the school, welcomed guests and the audience. Dr Ishwar Singh, founder president, extended the vote of thanks.

The function began with a shabad, followed by a welcome song. After the lighting of the traditional lamp by the chief guest, the annual report of the school was presented by the Principal. Other items included a dance by KG students, besides Bharatnatyam, ‘tappe’, skit, solo song, ‘dandia’, ‘mirza’, choreography, Rajasthani dance, group song, modeling, gidha and bhangra.

In his speech, Mr Paramjit Singh Saroo, appreciated the efforts of students and the staff for organising the programme. He congratulated the prize winners and asked them to work towards achieving higher goals in life. He also commended the efforts of the school management committee and the Principal for running a successful institution.

Six city students clear NTSE
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 25
After clearing two written tests at the state and the national-level and then qualifying in an interview, six city students have got through the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), this year.

The students received a written communication about their selection recently. These include Rishabh Singla, Sapan Vig, Kriti Ramendu Sharma, Inderdeep Singh and Avitosh Pal Singh, all Class XI students from DAV Public School, and Hemant Kumar from Kundan Vidya Mandir.

The students would be awarded a scholarship of Rs 100 per month and Rs 250 annually as book charges till the completion of their studies, provided they secure above 60 per cent marks each year.

The students had appeared for the state-level written examination in October, last year, while they were still in Class X. Of the thousands of students, who had appeared in the test from the state, 120 students were selected who were called for the written national-level examination held in May, this year. Eight students from the city had cleared the second written test and were called for a training camp, followed by the interview held in August end. These also included Amandeep Singh from GGN Public School and Harleen Chopra from Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School at Sarabha Nagar, besides the six winners.

Hemant Kumar, Plus One (non-medical) student from KVM, said he was excited about his success. He said his parents, teachers and friends supported while preparing for the examination. “I was not much serious while I was to attempt for the written tests, but I put in a lot of effort before I appeared for the interview, brushing current affairs and some topics mentioned in the curriculum.

Sapan Vig from DAV Public School said throughout the year he had been studying topics from economics, science, social studies and political affairs. He said that he had also taken guidance from his teachers and seniors, regarding preparation for the interview. He said they were confident of his clearing the interview and getting scholarships.

When asked whether he agreed that the amount of scholarship was too meagre, Sapan said he was not bothered about the amount. What was importent was his selection at the national-level which he believed was one of his biggest achievements till date, he said.

GGNIMT students get top ranks
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 25
Students of BBA and BCA (IVth semester) students from the Gujranwala Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology have bagged top positions in the examination conducted by Punjab Technical University this year.

While Perry, a BCA student, has achieved the first position in the university, Supriya Jain from the same batch has stood second. Noor Chouhan, a BBA student, has been declared second in the university, while Sumit Nanda and Jagdeep Singh Rana have stood fourth and fifth, respectively.

Among the IInd semester students from BBA, Kuntal Baveja has got fourth position in the university and Inderpal Singh has been declared seventh. Similarly, Megha Jain, a IInd semester BCA student from the institute, has stood fourth in the university. Mr Kuldip Singh, director of the GGNIMT, and Prof Gunwant Singh Dua, coordinator, have congratulated the students and staff. 

Teachers’ union to hold rallies
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 25
The Government Primary Teachers Association, Punjab held a meeting in Phagwara yesterday to chalk out a plan to register its protest against the new education policy. Mr Piara Singh Dhillon, president of the association, said it was decided at the meeting to burn the effigy of the Director of Elementary Directorate in Chandigarh on December 2.

The association also decided to hold rallies in Moga in the Ferozepore division on December 15, in Amritsar in the Jalandhar division on January 5 and Ludhiana in the Patiala division on January 19 next year. Mr Dhillon said “A JBT teacher will retire after 40 years of service as JBT teacher only”.

He further said confusion prevailed in schools as no written orders on the new education policy had been received by the Director of Elementary Directorate.