Paromita Sengupta with bureau inputs

Odisha: 5T initiative

Bhubaneswar, December 16. The state government inducted 6,131 newlyappointed secondary teachers into an ongoing schools transformation programme under its 5T (team work, technology, transparency, timely completion leading to transformation) initiative.

These teachers have received their appointment letters in the past 47 days. Of them, 2,236 are arts stream teachers, 1,779 science, 829 Hindi, 796 Sanskrit and English, and three Telugu language teachers.

Thus far, 1,075 schools in the state have adopted the first phase of the 5T programme. All government and aided high schools will be developed in similar fashion in phases.

Delhi: Nutrition gardens initiative

New Delhi, December 16. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has established ‘nutrition gardens’ in 48 of its 568 schools to familiarise students with the nutritional value of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Another 100 gardens are scheduled to become operational by the year-end, said SDMC commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, addressing the media.

“A majority of school children report protein, vitamin, calcium and mineral deficiencies.

Therefore, vegetables and fruits grown in nutrition gardens will be used for mid-day meals to enhance children’s nutritional intake,” said
the commissioner.

Kerala: Gender-neutral uniforms row

Kozhikode, December 15. Higher education minister R. Bindu inaugurated the gender-neutral uniform of the K-12 Balussery Government Girls Higher Secondary School whose higher secondary classes include male students. Nearly a dozen schools in Kerala have introduced new gender-neutral uniforms.

Earlier in the day, a march was staged by members of the Muslim Coordination Committee protesting unisex uniforms. “In a batch of 200 girl students and 60 boys, the school authorities have asked girl students to wear the uniforms prescribed for boys. We feel it’s a wrong decision and encourages liberal ideology in the school,” said a committee representative, addressing a press conference.

West Bengal: School leaders training programme

Kolkata, December 18. The state government has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta for the latter to provide leadership training to 1,300 principals of government and government-aided primary, secondary and higher secondary schools.

“Under the state education ministry’s Paschim Banga Samagra Shiksha Mission we intend to provide leadership training for schools. This is a timely and necessary step in the right direction,” said Prof. Uttam Kumar Sarkar, director of IIM-Calcutta, welcoming the first batch of principals.

Speaking on the occasion, education minister Bratya Basu Therefore, vegetables and fruits grown in nutrition gardens will be used for mid-day meals to enhance children’s nutritional intake,” said the commissioner.

Assam: ADB skills university loan

Guwahati, December 18.

The Assam Skill Development Mission has signed a loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) to establish a skills university at an estimated cost of $140 million (Rs.1,041 crore) in the state.

ADB has approved a loan of $112 million with an additional grant of $1 million provided as technical assistance. The state government has allotted 250 bighas of land in Mangaldoi district. Construction work is expected to commence by early 2023 and completed by 2027.

“Eastern India’s first public skills university will impart global quality education to Indian youth, ensuring employability and industrial development,” tweeted Chandra Mohan Patowary, the state’s industry, commerce and skills development minister.

Meghalaya: ECD Mission Shillong

December 22.

The state government has conceptualised an early childhood development (ECD) programme for the holistic development of children. The ECD Mission will be introduced in 1,554 villages not covered under the Central government’s Integrated Child Development Scheme programme.

Addressing a workshop to review the state’s early childhood care and education (ECCE) curriculum announced by chief minister Conrad K. Sangma in the previous budget session of the legislative assembly, the health ministry’s principal-secretary Sampath Kumar said: “Implementation of the programme requires a collaborative approach from the health, social welfare, education, community and rural development ministries. Meghalaya lags behind in most critical health indicators with a life expectancy rate below national average. The ECD programme designed for the welfare of children until 18 years of age will help improve the overall life expectancy of the state’s residents.”