National Education Policy: 10 key highlights of school education reforms

From schooling at the age of 3 years, to diluted board exams, and the 5+3+3+4 curriculum, here are top 10 major reforms under the National Education Policy 2020

The government has replaced the 34-year-old National Policy on Education, framed in 1986, with the National Education Policy of 2020. The NEP 2020 has introduced several reforms in school education. Here is all you need to know about the new education policy reforms for students, teachers and schools.

Top 10 major reforms in school education: Highlights

1. Schooling will start at the age of 3 years

Earlier, schooling was mandatory for children between the age of 6 and 14 years. However, under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), education will be compulsory for children between the age of 3 and 18 years.

2. 5+3+3+4 curricular and teaching structure

The new National Education Policy aims to shift from decades-old 10+2 format to a 5+3+3+4 system, keeping in mind a child’s development and capabilities. Click here to understand the 5+3+3+4 format under NEP 2020.

3. Emphasis on mother tongue as medium of instruction

The National Education Policy puts emphasis on a child’s mother tongue as the medium of instruction. However, The NEP only recommends the mother tongue as a medium of instruction; it has not been made compulsory. The policy states that children learn and grasp non-trivial concepts more quickly in their mother tongue.

ALSO READ: National Education Policy: New 5+3+3+4 structure and 10+2 system explained

“Wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language, mother tongue, local language or the regional language. Thereafter, the home or local language shall continue to be taught as a language wherever possible. This will be followed by both public and private schools,” the policy states…

Final year exams in Sept: Know latest UGC guidelines for college students

UGC has revised guidelines on examinations in view of coronavirus pandemic. All you need to know

Educational News: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has revised guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for the universities in view of coronavirus pandemic and announced that the final year examinations in the universities will be held in September.
UGC guidelines for final year/semester exams
— The terminal semester(s)/final year(s) examinations be conducted by the universities/institutions by end of September 2020 in offline (pen & paper)/online/blended (online+ offline) mode
— Those students who have backlog should compulsorily be evaluated by offline or online examinations as per "feasibility and suitability"

— If a final year student is unable to appear in the examination, the university must arrange special examination for the student In April 2020, the Commission constituted an Expert Committee to deliberate and make recommendations regarding the issues related to examinations and academic calendar. Based on the Committee's report, the UGC issued guidelines on exams and academic calendar on April 29, 2020....

Coronavirus lockdown: Final-yr college exams will surely be held, says govt

If the situation caused due to the coronavirus does not improve by July, then the first-year students can be promoted based on internal assessment

HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, in an interaction with 45,000 higher education institutions on Thursday said college final exams would be held for sure across India. “Final exam to honge hi (will definitely take place),” said Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

Important instructions for 1st year college students

If the situation caused due to the coronavirus does not improve by July, then the first-year students can be promoted based on internal assessment.

Important instructions for 2nd year college students

The intermediate year or semester students can be promoted by giving 50 per cent weightage to internal assessment and 50 per cent to previous academic performance if exams are not held in July.

Final year college students

End-term exams will be conducted. “If the situation does not improve by July then, new dates or modes of conducting exams can be thought of but the exam will take place for final year students,” HRD Minister said.

UGC suggestions on the ongoing crisis

The University Grants Commission (UGC) had suggested holding exams for all students in July The UGC had suggested earlier that colleges can also innovate in their assessment parameters. This has lead to several universities and colleges to opt for online mode of examination…Read More

UPSC Hiring Scientific Officers. Last Day To Apply November 16

Candidates willing to take up the post can apply for the same till November 16, 2017 (Thursday).

 

UPSC Hiring Scientific Officers: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is inviting applications for the post of Scientific Officer (Chemical) to be hired by National Test House (Department of Consumer Affairs) under Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food & Public Distribution (MCAFPD). Candidates willing to take up the post can apply for the same till November 16, 2017 (Thursday). The number of vacancy is 9 reserved for UR (6), OBC (2), SC (1) and ST (1). The qualified candidate would be paid as Level-8 in the Pay Matrix (Rs.47, 600-Rs.1, 51,100) plus T.A. and H.R.A. as admissible. (Total emoluments excluding T.A. and HRA at the time of initial appointment will be Rs.49, 504/-p.m. approximately). The job location is at the headquarters is in Kolkata but the candidate would be liable to serve anywhere in India. The post carries probation of two years.

Eligibility Parameters:

Age: Not exceeding 30 years for General Category candidates, 33 years for Other Backward Class candidates and 35 years for Scheduled Castes candidates as on normal closing date in case of vacancies reserved for them. Relaxable for Government Servant up to Five years in accordance with the instructions or orders issued by Central Government from time to time.

Educational Qualification Master’s Degree in Chemistry or Master’s Degree in Microbiology or Degree in Chemical Technology or degree in Chemical Engineering from a recognized University or Institute.

Experience: One year’s experience in an analytical or Chemical Testing Laboratory or one year’s Experience of Research Development work or analysis of ores, Minerals, metals or Oil Fuel and various Organic and Inorganic products or paint or polymer materials.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Testing evaluation of concerned laboratory samples and working in connection with the Development of Testing methods for these materials.
• Performing the day to day work of the Scientist B in their absence, including issuing the samples to Scientific Assistants signing the fair Test Certificate.

How to Apply:

• Visit the official online portal of UPSC here.
• Search for the New Registration and click on the same. (Direct link here)
• Fill in the required details and you will get your Registration ID and password.
• Go back to the Existing Vacancies Page and search for the post ‘Scientific Officer (Chemical)’ with Apply Now button. Hit the button.
• Enter your Registration ID and Password along with Captcha code given there.
• Follow the online instructions. (More details on the online instructions here)
  Fees:

UPSC Hires Assistant Director (Physical Education). Apply With These Steps

Candidates willing to take up the post can apply for the same till November 2, 2017 (Thursday).

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is inviting applications for the post Assistant Director (Physical Education) to be hired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Pahargaon, Port Blair under Andaman and Nicobar Island Administration. Candidates willing to take up the post can apply for the same till November 2, 2017 (Thursday). The number of vacancy is 1 reserved for UR (1), OBC (0), SC (0) and ST (0). The qualified candidate would be paid as PB-3 Rs. 15600-39100 plus AGP of Rs. 6000 Emoluments Rs.48, 600/- (Excluding HRA and SCA). The location is Port Blair, Andaman Nicobar Islands. The post carries probation of one year.

Eligibility Parameters:

Age: Not exceeding 35 years (Relaxable for Govt. Servants up to 5 years’ in accordance with instructions or orders issued by the central Govt.)

Educational Qualification:

• Master’s Degree in Physical Education with 55% marks OR Master’s Degree in Sports Science with 55% marks (or an equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed) with a consistently good academic record.
• Record of having represented the University/ Collegeat the Inter-University/ Inter-College competitions or the State and/ or National Championships.
• Passed in the National Eligibility Test (NET) OR SLET/ SET for recruitment and appointment as University Assistant Director of Physical Education/ College Director of Physical Education and Sports.
• Passed the physical fitness test conducted in accordance with the norms specified under
• 12 minutes run/walk test (Male): Up to 30 years: 1800, Up to 40 years: 1500, Up to 45 years: 1200 and Up to 50 years: 800.
• 12 minutes run/walk test (Female): Up to 30 years: 1000, Up to 40 years: 800, Up to 45 years: 600 and Up to 50 years: 400.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Teach students the physical fitness techniques, sports playing, and guide them toward living a healthy and active lifestyle.
• Instruct and coach students to play on interactive sports teams against each other, motivate them during exercises.
• Perform any other assignment/duties assigned by superiors.
• Organize inter college sports competitions.
• Arranging continuous drill disaster preventions activities for the students.
• Conducting NSS Campus other National Integrity Camp to motivate the students.

How to Apply:

• Visit the official online portal of UPSC here.
• Search for the New Registration and click on the same. (Direct link here)
• Fill in the required details and you will get your Registration ID and password.
• Go back to the Existing Vacancies Page and search for Post Name ‘ Assistant Director (Physical Education)’ with Apply Now button. Hit the button.
• Enter your Registration ID and Password along with Captcha code given there.

Follow the online instructions. (More details on the online instructions here)
Fees: Candidates are required to pay a fee of Rs. 25/- (Nonrefundable) only either by remitting the money in any branch of the SBI by cash or by using net banking facility of the SBI or by using visa/master credit/debit cards. Keep in mind that no fee for SC/ST/PH/Women candidates of any community. OBC male candidates are required to pay the full prescribed fee.

Documents for Interview:

Qualified and eligible candidates will receive official communication from the Commission for interview. Candidates shortlisted for interview on the basis of the information provided in the online applications submitted by them will be required to send self-attested copies of documents/relevant certificates in support of the claims made in the application as and when demanded by the Commission.

About UPSC:

Established on 1 October 1926 as Public Service Commission, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's prestigious central recruiting agency that conducts appointments to and examinations for All India services and group A & group B of Central services. It was known as Federal Public Service Commission by the Government of India Act, 1935 and was then renamed as today's Union Public Service Commission after the independence.

NEET 2017 do's and dont's: No inner wear for girls, no sleeves for boys

The do's and don'ts for candidates who appeared for NEET reached an all-time extreme

 

Once in a while, we come across something truely surreal and bizzare. The do's and don'ts for candidates who appeared for National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), appears to top the ridiculous list. Many aspirants who appeared for NEET for the first time on Sunday, faced a piquant situation in parts of Tamil Nadu, with some even forced to resize the sleeves of their shirts and abandon their footwear to meet the norms.

In a shocking incident, some female students were allegedly told by the invigilators to remove their top innerwear and change their jeans to adhere to the dress code for the exam as prescribed by the CBSE.

According to TOI, at Payyannur centre in Uttar Pradesh, candidates who appeared for the examination at TISK English Medium School at Kovvappuram near Kunhimangalam in Payyannur, the girls were asked to remove dresses with metal hooks or buttons.

"It is shocking that my daughter had to undergo such an ordeal and remove her top innerwear to appear for the examination but there was no other option and she was forced to do so," said Renuka, mother of a girl who appeared for the exam to TOI.

"I am a teacher and I know the psychology of the teenagers; this will definitely affect their confidence, and we are thinking of taking legal measures," she added.

The girl said though she appeared for the examination after undergoing coaching in Thrissur for one year, the incident shattered her. "I am a 19-year-old girl and such incidents shatter us beyond imagination. I don't know how I appeared for the examination," she said.

Another parent, Rajesh Nambiar, said his daughter had to change her pair of jeans because it had metal buttons and pockets.

Pramod Madhav  

@madhavpramod1

As no full sleeves allowed, students tear it off before entering hall to write NEET!!

1:25 PM - 7 May 2017

(READ MORE)