Professor Mazhar Asif, a renowned scholar and JNU alumnus, has been appointed as the new vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia. Asif’s appointment, announced by the President of India, comes after the previous VC’s tenure ended in November 2023. This appointment marks a significant development for the esteemed university, with Asif bringing extensive experience in education and leadership roles.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has refuted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s allegation that the Centre is withholding funds due to the state’s refusal to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Pradhan criticized Stalin for attempting to create division between states and called for prioritizing student interests over political gains.
Japan’s practice of requiring students to undress to the waist during routine health checkups has sparked significant controversy, raising concerns about privacy, discomfort, and inconsistent implementation of guidelines. The issue has drawn criticism from students, parents, and medical experts, leading to calls for more uniform and respectful practices.
The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) program, aimed at improving the quality of higher education in Odisha, was launched on Saturday. The program, funded by the central government with a Rs 500 crore allocation, will provide support for infrastructure development and other activities at various higher education institutions across the state.
The University of Southampton has become the first UK university to receive a license to establish a full-fledged campus in India, marking a significant step in the implementation of the new National Education Policy. The campus, located in Delhi-NCR, aims to produce world-class graduates with specialized skills, contributing to India’s growing knowledge economy.
The Indian Ministry of Education has issued comprehensive guidelines for school safety, emphasizing a ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ towards lapses in child safety. These guidelines, mandated by the Supreme Court, aim to create a secure environment for students, with clear accountability for school management and staff.
The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) is set to announce the results for the Karnataka SSLC Supplementary Exam 2 (Exam 2) soon. Students can access their results on the official website, kseab.karnataka.gov.in, using their registration number and date of birth. This year, the KSEAB has introduced a new education policy with three exams, Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3, replacing the traditional supplementary exams. Exam 3 is scheduled from July 29 to August 5. Candidates need a minimum of 35% marks to pass each subject. The board has renamed the supplementary exam to ‘Exam 2’ to reduce stress among students.
In India, the tragic loss of young lives due to the stress of competitive examinations has become a pressing concern. This is particularly evident in Kota, Rajasthan, the nation’s “coaching capital.” Our youth are facing immense pressure to succeed in entrance exams, leading them to take desperate measures such as suicide. It is imperative that we address this alarming trend and prioritize the well-being of our young people. Factors contributing to this crisis include the rise of coaching institutes, often with inhumane practices, and the emphasis on entrance exams over holistic development. To prevent further tragedies, we must focus on strengthening schools, implementing personal interviews as part of entrance examinations, and fostering a vision that values our youth beyond their academic achievements.
The Tamil Nadu government has completed the draft of its State Education Policy, which will be released after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is lifted. The MCC is lifted after the Lok Sabha election results are declared on June 4. The state government’s education policy will be finalized and released within three months of the draft’s release.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has criticized the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness program and other educational policies ahead of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona’s visit to Little Rock. In a letter to Cardona, Sanders and Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Olivia expressed concerns about the legality and fairness of the student loan forgiveness program and the mishandling of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program.
