Andhra Pradesh
Amaravati, April 8. The state government is set to launch its LEAP (Learning Excellence in Andhra Pradesh) education model to improve students’ learning outcomes statewide.
Addressing a Press conference, education minister Nara Lokesh said: “Andhra Pradesh is pioneering a new era of education through LEAP — focusing on play-based curricula, pedagogy training, foundational literacy and numeracy, and AI-driven remedial assessment programme. The model will be introduced from the new academic year 2025-26.”
The government’s objective is to build a world-class education system by 2029 with an outcomes-oriented approach to equip students with technical, leadership and real-life skills through AI and other cutting-edge technologies, the minister added. “The urgency for the new model was felt after crucial reports, including the Annual Status of Education Report survey, indicated poor learning outcomes.”
Added a senior education ministry official: “The infrastructure revamp will include Building as Learning Aid (BaLA) and print-rich classrooms in all pre-primary and primary classes. Two to three model anganwadi centres (AWCs) will also be set up in each assembly constituency which will include toilets for girl children, electricity and water connections.”
Punjab
Nawanshahr, April 7. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced launch of Sikhya Kranti — a 54-day education festival during which infrastructure projects valued at Rs.2,000 crore will be inaugurated in 12,000 government schools.
Addressing a gathering after dedicating a new block in the School of Eminence, SBS Nagar district, the chief minister said: “Sending a child to a government school was the common man’s compulsion till now. But with the education system revamped, it will become their wish.”
Elaborating, the chief minister said: “Government school teachers have been sent to prestigious national institutes and even abroad to upgrade their skills, and well-trained staff have enhanced admission in government schools. Now teachers and principals are focusing only on education as the state government has recruited sufficient staff for all non-teaching work”
Odisha
Bhubaneswar, April 13. The Odisha University (Amendment) Act, 2024 has come into effect after Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati gave his assent to the bill.
Addressing a press conference, Suryabanshi Suraj, the state’s higher education minister, described the Act as a “new dawn” for higher education in the state. “The Act aims to bring about substantial reforms, ensuring autonomy for universities and enhancing the efficiency of academic institutions. It will also contribute to the growth of a knowledge-driven economy in the state,” he said.
According to provisions of the Act, universities will constitute a committee comprising educationists for faculty recruitment. This will allow the recruitment process to be completed within a specified period, without unnecessary delays. On the issue of appointment of vice chancellors, the Act has the provision for constituting a three-member committee — comprising distinguished educationists — for the selection process and the age limit for VCs has been increased from 67 to 70 years, he added.
Tripura
Agartala, April 12. Chief Minister Manik Saha, also the state’s education minister, announced his government’s plans to import the “best available teachers” from across the country to ensure quality education for students.
Referring to finance minister Pranajit Singha Roy’s recent budget speech in which he proposed setting up test prep centres in all subdivisions to improve academic support for students, Saha said: “I have requested the finance minister to float tenders to source the best teachers from outside the state for the proposed coaching centres to teach English, mathematics, physics and biology.”
The chief minister also announced the government’s intent to construct an examination hall at Hapania in West Tripura at an estimated cost of Rs.15 crore to ensure that students and job aspirants don’t need to travel outside the state to write exams.
Delhi
New Delhi, April 27. All reference to Mughal and Delhi Sultanate rule over India have been eliminated from NCERT social science textbooks for class VIII children and ‘sacred geography,’ references to mahakumbh, and Central government initiatives like Make in India and Beti bachao, Beti padhao have been added instead.
According to NCERT spokesperson, new textbooks released this week have been designed to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which direct incorporation of Indian traditions, philosophies, knowledge systems, and local context into school education.
Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal, April 25. Three girl students from a private college were allegedly raped and blackmailed by men who concealed their identity. The incident came to light on April 18 when the first victim approached a police station.
Addressing a media conference, Bhopal Commissioner of Police HC Mishra reported swift action: “Two accused in connection with the crime have been arrested, and a special investigation team (SIT) constituted to investigate the atrocity. Efforts are on to arrest the third accused, who is on the run. Meanwhile a case has been registered against the three accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) and MP Freedom of Religion Act.”
