The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Higher education must for progress, say experts
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 16
An expert committee constituted by the state government has stressed on the need to accept the challenges of higher education. The committee comprising eminent educationists feel that it is not only “illogical but mischievous to treat higher education as non-merit sector”. If the state wants to have a competitive edge over others, it should give a fillip to higher education, experts say.

The committee members had recently submitted the report “Vision Higher Education-2020” to the Punjab Government. Mr G.D. Sharma, former director, National Institute of Planning and Administration (NIPA), Delhi, Mr Paramjit Singh, Registrar, Panjab University, Ms Nisha Sharad, DPI (Colleges), Punjab, and other experts of Punjabi University were members of the committee.

In their report, the members had stated that in 1980s Punjab was at number one position in education/literacy segment but in recent years it came down to the 15th position. Rate of participation in education was lacking in the state. It was 73.75 per cent as compared to the national average of 81.58 per cent. The enrolment in higher education was 1.05 per cent of the total state’s population whereas it should have been 2 per cent. In other words 7 per cent of the state population between 17 to 24 years were opting for higher education. The experts were of the view that it should be 10 per cent by the end of 10th plan and 20 per cent by 2020, if it had to compete with others.

The social economic composition also played a major role in higher education. The experts found that in higher education most of beneficiaries were wards of service and business classes. They noted that participation of wards belonging to farmers, working class and small shop owners was poor. About 40 per cent of students studying in private colleges belonged to higher income group (above Rs 80,000), 30 per cent were from middle-income group and a few from lower income group.

According to the report, 90 per cent of students were undergraduates. Only 7.79 per cent were enrolled in postgraduate courses and 0.16 were left for research purposes.

Prof Tarsem Bahia, an educationist, feels that the state government should take stringent steps in support to higher education as the sector produced best of doctors, engineers, scientists, social scientists, professors and teachers.

Not only this, state would be able to get good leaders. “If the state government failed to give due importance to higher education, it would be confined to the rich and the most-talented youth would definitely suffer”, Mr Bahia added.

Teachers meet Education Minister
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 16
Eight teachers’ organisations under the umbrella of Primary Elementary Sikhye Bachao Front presented a memorandum of their demands to Mr Harnam Dass Johar, Education Minister, here today. The convener, Mr Piara Singh Dhillon, said in a press note, that the memorandum stated that the school inspection programmes were not being carried out well by education officers.

They were not bothered about the problems of the teachers, 85 per cent vacancies existed, for posts of Block Primary Education Officer, Centre Head Teacher, and Head teachers. Due to this, the schools were not running properly.

The teachers suggested Mr Johar to appoint senior persons at the posts of District Education Officer, while juniors should be appointed principals. The other suggestions were that the postings should be made outside their own stations so that the officers did not work under local pressure. Also at Moga district, Muktsar and Nawanshahr, there were no DEOs(P) therefore officers working in secondary schools had been given the additional charge and hence they could do justice to the needs of primary schools. So in Moga district, Deputy Education Officer should be given full authority and in Muktsar and Nawanshahr districts, new education officers should be appointed.

Summer camp concludes

Ludhiana, June 16
Blooming Dale Nursery School, Model Town Extension, organised a 15 days’ summer camp, in which children learnt dancing, art and craft, flower making, pot-making and cooking.

On the concluding day of the camp, a dance and cooking competition was held by the school in association with Punjab Educator’s forum. Prizes were given by Mrs Gursharan Kaur, Vice-Principal, Guru Harkrishan Public School. In dance competition, first prize was given to Vidushi, second to Anuroop, and third to Anpriya. Jasmine and Sapna were given consolation prizes while Simran was given a special prize. In cooking competition first prize was won by Cherry, second by Harpreet and third by Kshma. A consolation prize was given was to Rupika. OC

HEALTH

Drug de-addiction camp in Central Jail
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, June 16
As many as 72 inmates were treated and detoxified with acupuncture therapy in a 25 days free drug de-addiction camp which concluded at Central Jail here today. The camp, organised by local Dr Kotnis Acupuncture Hospital, was inaugurated by Mr MPS Aulukh, DGP (Jails), Punjab on May 20.

According to Dr Inderjit Singh, medical superintendent of Dr Kotnis Acupuncture Hospital, the drug addicts at the camp, were given treatment through acupuncture therapy, combined with conventional medicine which was successful. An active involvement by the jail authorities in the camp also rendered positive results. He said a separate barrack was provided by jail authorities to the inmates for undergoing the treatment for drug de-addiction.

Mr Harbans Lal, District and Session Judge and Mr S.R. Ladhar, Director, Social Security, Women and Child Development, Punjab, who visited the camp, appreciated the initiative by the jail authorities as well as the doctors and supporting staff of the sponsoring hospital.

Mr Kuldip Singh, Superintendent and Mr S.P. Khanna, Deputy Superintendent of Central Jail, said that such camps would go a long way in checking the rise in crime rate because most of the time, drugs and intoxicants were the reasons behind unlawful activities.

Others who rendered valuable assistance to the camp included Dr Rajinder Singh, Dr K.S. Bhalla, Dr Sunil Lakhotra, Dr Raghbir Singh and Mr Surinder Chopra.

SPORTS

Sunny stars in govt school’s win
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, June 16
Sunny remained unbeaten on 72 as Government Senior Secondary School, Haibowal, recorded eight-wicket win over SAN Jain Model Senior Secondary School in the fourth Friendship Cup Cricket Tournament for Schoolboys (under-19) being organised by the Sunrise Cricket Club at the Government Model Senior Secondary School ground of Punjab Agricultural University here today. Eight teams are taking part in the tournament being sponsored by the State Bank of India, PAU branch.

Batting first, SAN Jain School scored 131 runs for the loss of six wickets in their quota of 20 overs. Ankush and Suraj contributed 25 and 23 runs, respectively, while Gautam scored 19 runs. For Government School, Haibowal, Nirmal chipped in with three wickets for 23 runs.

Government Senior Secondary School achieved the target in 17.3 overs after losing just two wickets. The architects of their win were Sunny and Micky who scored 72 and 28 runs, respectively. Vipan of SAN Jain School was the lone successful bowler who claimed one wicket for 30 runs.

Earlier, in the inaugural match of the tournament, Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU ‘A’, scored an easy 126-run victory over Sheffali Public School.

Batting first, PAU ‘A’ set a target of 212 runs for Sheffali Public School. In the stipulated 20 overs, PAU school hoisted a mammoth total of 211 runs losing one wicket. Deepak hammered 83 off 56 balls while Atul Kohli smashed 84 off 44 deliveries. Sheffali School’s Saurav took one wicket for 24 runs.

In reply, Sheffali Public School were bundled out for 85 runs in 14 overs. Only Saurav (22) and Rajat (16) could reach double figures. For PAU School, Gurjot grabbed three wickets for 19 runs, while Tarun took two for 16.

In another match, RS Model Senior Secondary School defeated Jeewan Model Senior Secondary School by eight wickets.

Brief scores: Jeewan Model School: 127 for 8 in 20 overs (Dilpreet 32 and Nitesh 16; Gurvidner 3 for 22); RS Model Senior Secondary School: 129 for 2 in 12.4 overs (Amarjot 33 and Sachin 16; Dilpreet 2 for 16); Mr Baldev Singh, assistant general manager of the State Bank of India, inaugurated the tournament. Mr B.R. Malhotra, manager, SBI, PAU branch, Mr Manjit Singh Sandhu and Mr Y.K. Sood were also present on the occasion.

Dimpy wins wrestling championship
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, June 16
In a keenly contested bout, Dimpy of Ludhiana overpowered Maninder of Jandiali to win the title in the 13th Annual Wrestling Championship organised by Peer Baba Mehar Shah Sports Club, opposite the Civil Hospital here today.

He received a cash prize of Rs 3,100 and a trophy. The final witnessed some fine reflexes by both contestants. The bout lasted five minutes and Dimpy was declared winner.

In the bout for the hardline cup, Gama, grappler from Ladhowal near here, proved his mettle over local wrestler Prem Aggarwal. Prem gave some anxious moments to his rival before giving up. Maninder received a cash prize of Rs 2,100 while Gama got Rs 1,100. Mr Surinder Dawar, Parliamentary Secretary, gave away the prizes.