Himachal Pradesh
Newspaper reading mandate
Shimla, june 17. The education ministry has mandated daily newspaper reading during morning assemblies in government schools statewide. School heads have been instructed to provide English and Hindi newspapers daily, to improve students’ general knowledge, reading comprehension, vocabulary development and public speaking skills.
Addressing a press conference, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said: “The newspaper reading initiative has been introduced to instill a habit in children of remaining informed and engaging with current affairs, thereby supporting their all-round development and better preparing them for competitive exams and real-world challenges.”
Kerala
Zumba classes controversy
Kochi, june 28. The state education ministry’s decision to introduce Zumba, a dance-based fitness program, in government schools from the academic year 2025-26 as part of its anti-drugs campaign, has provoked a backlash from Muslim minority organisations, some of whom object to girls and boys “intermingling” and “dancing together in minimal clothes”.
Nasar Faizy Koodathai, a leader of the influential Muslim organisation Samastha, described this initiative as “violation of personal freedom” and “an imposition of vulgarity in the name of physical fitness”.
However, education minister V. Sivankutty has defended the state government’s decision and shared a Facebook video showing Muslim students in school uniforms participating in a Zumba session. “Let the children play, laugh, have fun, and grow up healthy,” he responded.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said: “All should understand that this initiative is being conducted as part of an anti-drugs campaign. Such objections will spread more poison than drugs in our society. It will facilitate communalism and differences instead of improving education.”
Tripura
Full literacy landmark
Agartala, june 24. Tripura is now a fully literate state, the third in the country to cross this milestone after Mizoram and Goa, announced officials from the Union ministry of education. This announcement was made at a special event held at Rabindra Bhavan in the state capital at which chief minister Manik Saha was chief guest.
“This is a historic and proud moment for Tripura. I congratulate all those who contributed to this mission,” said the chief minister, speaking on the occasion.
Asserting that universal literacy is critical to achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saha appealed to children and adults of the state to continue reading and writing to upgrade their skills for national advancement.
Bihar
Teachers self-transfer portal
Patna, june 27. The state government has rolled out an e-Shikshak Kosh portal, a new online self-transfer system for teachers, aimed to resolve “dissatisfaction” over postings and streamlining the process of filling teacher vacancies.
Dr. S. Siddharth, additional chief secretary of the state’s education ministry, issued a directive permitting teachers to apply for transfers through this portal. This initiative follows widespread complaints from teachers about transfers to unsuitable locations.
Punjab
Young achievers felicitation
Chandigarh, june 5. The state government’s Sikhiya Kranti (education revolution) initiative to revitalise education is enabling the state to produce high achievers on a daily basis, said chief minister Bhagwant Mann at a felicitation ceremony for 44 students from government schools who cleared the JEE (Advanced) examination for admission into the country’s globally reputed 23 IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology).
“Punjab students possess indomitable spirit to succeed. Our students are scripting new success stories every day and bringing laurels to the state,” said Mann, speaking on the occasion.
Madhya Pradesh
AI integrated model curricula
Indore, june 6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be integrated into all branches of technical education from the academic year 2026-27, said AICTE chairperson Prof. T.G. Sitharam.
Addressing a parliamentary advisory committee meeting chaired by Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Sitharam said: “AICTE had introduced a B.Tech programme in AI and Data Science in 2017. Now the council is working on a project to include AI in the model curriculums of all technical disciplines including engineering, information technology, and management studies.”
According to Prof. Sitharam, a committee has been constituted to suggest necessary revisions of the model curricula. “This committee has already held three meetings. I expect the panel to submit its recommendations within the next month. Two months later, we aim to finalise the updated model curriculums,” he added.
