The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Board to streamline open school system: Member
Mahesh Sharma

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 15
Apprehending exploitation of the provisions of the open school mode of school education through a nexus among certain private schools and commercial academies, Mr Arvind Malhotra, a member of the Punjab School Education Board, has called upon social and educational organisations to coordinate with the board authorities in shattering unethical practices.

He said norms laid down by the board regarding holding of personal contact programmes were not adhered to by all students and institutes.

He urged students not to fall prey to academies who were out to exploit their innocence.

Talking to Ludhiana Tribune after inspecting a personal contact programme at the local Sanatan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Mr Malhotra said the board was serious about bringing the required changes in the working of the open school system.

Referring to observations made during inspections of various centres in Sangrur and Ludhiana districts, Mr Malhotra apprehended that a nexus existed among certain private schools and commercial academies who were exploiting students.

“Instead of recognising the board’s objective of providing quality and practical education to those who were unable to attend schools, these schools and academies were hand and glove to extract money from their pockets,” said Mr Malhotra, adding that the authorities had taken note of the trend and would take stringent action against violators.

Mr Malhotra disclosed that senior functionaries in the Education Department, including Mr Sarvesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary, Education, had decided to review the situation at all centres before drafting a foolproof plan for the future.

“Though all institutes are not bad, yet the authorities decided to gather first-hand information from all centres in the state. What is more important is that sanctity of the system should be maintained at all costs,” said Mr Malhotra.

Addressing a group of participants at the personal contact programme earlier, Mr Malhotra advised students to attend the programme to make maximum use of the facilities being provided by the board on their doorstep.

PAU gets food sciences and engg dept
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana December 15
For the integrated functioning of food processing three existing departments, namely, Processing and Food Engineering, Food Science and Technology and Foods and Nutrition have been merged and a new department "Food Science and Engineering" has been set up in the College of Agriculture.

These three departments were functioning independently in three different constituent colleges.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Academic Council yesterday, following a reference made to it by the Board of Management which had considered the issue of merger on December 11.

According to the Registrar, Dr S.S. Chahal, the new department will be headed by Dr B.S. Ghuman, who is the senior most Head of the Department among the three, Dr G.S. Padda (Food Science and Technology), Dr (Ms) Subhashni Verma (Foods and Nutrition). Dr Padda is on long leave. Dr Chahal said food sciences and engineering is an important field poised to play a pivotal role in the diversification in agriculture through value addition.

The Academic Council has also decided that Senior Food Technologist Dr (Ms) Bhupinder Kaur will be full time in charge of the PAU Placement Cell. She will coordinate with the four constituent colleges in her new assignment.

The services of Senior Scientist, Food Technology, Dr. H.P.S. Nagi, have been placed at the disposal of the Directorate of Research.

From Colleges
Govt flayed for teachers’ arrest
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 15
The secretary of the local Government College for Women Teachers Association, Prof Kuldip Singh, condemned the Punjab Government for the arrest of private-aided schools’ teachers by the Chandigarh police.

The association also condemned the arrest under Section 188 of the CrPC, which is in violation of the human rights. The anti-employee attitude of the Punjab Government was also condemned by the union leader.

“We demand that pension benefits should be given to the teachers of the aided colleges also. The union immediately demand the release of the arrested teacher and the fulfilment of their genuine demands,” he said.

Cultural programme

The Punjabi Department of the Malwa College of Education for Women, Ludhiana, organised a programme, “Ek Milni Punjabiyat de Naam,” here today.

Different items like poem recitation, folk songs, sithnias and tappas were performed by the students.

Dr Satwant Kaur, Head, Department of Punjabi of the college, spoke on the occasion.

Songs of innocence
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 15
KG students of Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School charmed everyone by singing “songs of innocence” at a function held in the school here today.

Mr Parag Jain, DIG , Ludhiana Range, was the chief guest.

The programme started with a prayer song titled “Be exalted O Lord!” After seeking the Lord's blessings, the students sang a welcome song.

“The King of Nottingham”, a play on Robin Hood, was staged deftly by the students.

The students sang songs of love, peace and joy with gusto. The programme concluded with “Shaan Punjabian di, aan Punjabian di”, a bhangra performance that charmed everybody.

DMCH alumni meet on Dec 24
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 15
The annual alumni meeting of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) will be held in Dumra Auditorium on the hospital campus here on December 24. It will be organised by the DMCH Alumni Committee under the umbrella of the DMC Old Students Association (DMCOSA).

According to Dr Jagdeep Whig, Vice-Principal, DMCH, and chairman of the Alumni Committee, the MBBS (admission) batches of 1976, 1977 and 1978 will be felicitated at the meet.

Dr Tej K. Kaul, convener of the meeting, said the committee was in the process of publishing a directory of its alumni members.