Bihar
BPSC 2024 concluded
Patna, january 25. 21,581 candidates have passed the 70th Integrated Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC). These results were declared recently following weeks of statewide protests over alleged irregularities.
Held on December 13, the BPSC exam ignited protests due to allegations of a question paper leak. A fresh test was ordered for 12,000 candidates from a Patna exam centre.
Addressing a press conference, BPSC Examination Controller Rajesh Kumar Singh said: “Of the 328,990 candidates who wrote the exam, 21,581 cleared the preliminary test, 1,409 candidates scored negative marks. The highest score was 120 out of 150; 1,181 candidates scored above 100, and 6,344 scored between 90-100.”
Jharkhand
Gyanodya for middle schools
Jamshedpur, january 22. Chaired by chief minister Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand cabinet approved the introduction of computer-based education in government middle schools under Gyanodya — an e-learning platform launched by the Godda district administration in collaboration with Eckovation and Adani Foundation.
Cabinet secretary Vandana Dadel announced that the Gyanodya scheme will implement computer education and digital learning in middle schools at an estimated cost of Rs.94.95 crore over six years, from 2024-25 to 2029-30.
Rajasthan
Jaipur Education Summit
Jaipur, january 21. Addressing a Jaipur Education Summit, state school education minister Madan Dilawar ascribed pressure of studies and parents’ unrealistic expectations as the main causes behind rising student suicides. More than 500 students participated in the summit.
Speaking about a recent “objectionable” video of a Chittorgarh school principal and a woman teacher that went viral on social media, Dilawar said it was a “blot on the education system”. He assured students that the services of the guilty will be soon terminated.
Renu Joshi, a private college principal, stressed the need to incorporate moral education into the curriculum.
Odisha
New early years programs
Bhubaneswar, january 21. In an official notification aligned with the mandate of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Odisha government has revised the minimum enrolment age for class I children to six years starting September 1.
Under the state’s new enrolment policy, all government primary schools statewide will also introduce an additional preschool Sishu Vatika program for 5-6 years age group children. This programme will focus on foundational literacy, numeracy, and cognitive development and also foster children’s social, emotional, and physical growth. This initiative is designed to provide a “more structured foundation” for early childhood education, and will enable young learners to adapt to the formal schooling environment before they enter class 1.
Punjab
Corporal punishment suspensions
Chandigarh, january 24. Punjab’s school education department suspended the principal and campus manager of the Government Senior Secondary School, Jawahar Nagar, School of Eminence (Boys), Ludhiana for corporal punishment inflicted upon students for late arrival.
“An incident in a Ludhiana school where students were punished by the campus manager and made to carry sand and gravel for coming late has come to my notice. This is completely unacceptable,” education minister Harjot Singh Bains posted on X.
“Taking strict action, the campus manager is being dismissed, and the principal of the school is suspended with immediate effect. Such incidents will not be tolerated,” said Bains, adding that: “the education system must prioritise the well-being and dignity of all students, and any action that undermines this principle will be met with appropriate consequences.”
Goa
Swayampurna Viksit Goa
Panaji, january 9. In a recently issued circular, Shreyas D’Silva, under-secretary (general administration), asked all heads of schools to tune into prime minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat monthly radio broadcast and draw inspiration from suggestions and best practices broadcast in the programme.
“It is essential to continually seek inspiration and adopt innovative practices from across India, be it from individuals, organisations, or state initiatives. This will further our efforts to promote ease of living and ease of doing business, propelling us toward achieving the vision of a Swayampurna Viksit (developed) Goa,” said chief minister Pramod Sawant, addressing a press conference.
Swayampurna Goa is a government-led community level action plan to make each and every village and city in the state self-reliant.
