Education Notes

HIMACHAL PRADESH Learning gaps directive Shimla, december 1. Learning gaps of class IX-XII students of government schools will be identified in the first 15 days of the new academic year based on the previous year’s final exam results. Thereafter teachers will focus on improving the mathematics, science, Hindi and English learning outcomes of students, said Amarjeet Sharma, higher education director, in a directive issued to schools statewide. “Learning gaps will be assessed and remedial measures taken accordingly. The compliance and action taken report will be submitted to the secretary (education) within seven days,” said the directive. MAHARASHTRA ITI for challenged persons Latur, december 2. Skills development minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha inaugurated Maharashtra’s first Industrial Training Institute (ITI) for challenged persons. The ITI christened Samvedna will admit students from the academic year beginning June 2024. Speaking on the occasion, Lodha said: “Prime minister Narendra Modi gave a new identity to persons with disability by coining the term ‘Divyang’ which changed people’s outlook towards them. This ITI will help persons with disability to become part of mainstream society.” Digambar Dalvi, director of the State Directorate of Vocational Education and Training, presented a cheque of Rs.1 crore to the institute’s management. MANIPUR Relocation plea New Delhi, december 4. The Supreme Court came to the rescue of 284 students hit by ethnic violence in Manipur — in which over 170 people have been killed and several hundred injured — by granting them the option of attending online classes at Manipur University or relocating to Silchar to enroll in Assam University or relocating to Shillong to enroll in North East Hill University. The apex court was hearing a plea filed by the Manipur University EIMI Welfare Society on behalf of the students. The bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra directed that the name of a nodal officer, appointed by the Manipur University, be posted on its website. The officer will be entrusted with the duty to ensure relocation of students within two weeks of applying. ASSAM IIT-G teacher training programme Guwahati, december 5. One thousand government school teachers attended a six-day residential training programme at IIT-Guwahati to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teaching-learning statewide. Speaking at the valedictory ceremony of IIT-G, education minister Ranoj Pegu said: “The purpose of this training programme is to encourage and motivate our schoolchildren to pursue science and mathematics in higher education through better pedagogies.” The teachers were trained in physics, electronics, coding, robotics, artificial intelligence, biology and biotechnology, chemistry and materials science, among other STEM subjects, and to guide students to derive maximum advantage from the Atal Tinkering Labs programme. UTTARAKHAND Schools building initiative Dehradun, december 5. The state government has partnered with prominent private school managements to establish schools for students from low-income households. “A memorandum of understanding was signed with some private school managements which have established institutions in the state. Within two years, these private school managements will build day and residential schools in…