Education News – Weekly Newsletter for November 1-8, 2010

To put it bluntly, education sector dismal: Pakistani daily

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s education sector requires serious attention, a leading Pakistan daily said while labelling the situation “quite dismal”.

The Dawn said in an editorial that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani`s admission that the nationalisation of schools and colleges in the early 1970s by the Pakistan Peoples Party founder, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Now, schools in Tripura to charge only exam fee

AGARTALA – The Tripura government has asked all school authorities in the northeastern state not to charge students any payment except the examination fee, officials said here Sunday.

“No government, semi-government and government aided schools up to 12th standard are to be allowed to take any kind of fee except the examination charge from … Original article on : Now, schools in Tripura to charge only exam fee.

Meghalaya varsity students press for V-C’s ouster

SHILLONG – Students of Meghalaya’s North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) will resume their indefinite agitation from Monday to pressurise the central government to remove of A.N. Rai as vice-chancellor and appoint a local academician instead, a student leader said Sunday.

“As a mark of protest against the adamant attitude of the central government to … Read more »».

Number of jobless graduates in Britain on the rise

LONDON – The number of graduates who don’t have jobs in Britain has been increasing and is at its highest in nearly two decades, a study has found.

About 21,000 of last years graduates, 8.9 percent, still had no job after six months, Daily Express reported Monday.
The study by the Higher Education Careers Services … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Number of jobless graduates in Britain on the rise.

Health camp for municipal school students in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Spearheading the move to sensitise children on the importance of hygiene, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Global Hygiene Council (GHC) Monday organized a health camp at a MCD primary school in the capital.

The event saw a team of experts giving a health talk in the school, apart from holding … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Health camp for municipal school students in Delhi.

Students demand restoration of Allahabad University polls

LUCKNOW – Several students of Allahabad University blocked roads and clashed with the police Monday to demand restoration of the varsity’s student body polls.

The students assembled opposite the district magistrate’s office in Colonelganj area of Allahabad, some 200 km from Lucknow, and tried to force their way in.
“We tried our best to calm …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Health minister inaugurates hospital in Mumbai

MUMBAI – Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Monday inaugurated a 330-bed multi-specialty, tertiary-care hospital in the Mumbai suburb of Meera Road.

“Our primary focus would be on providing critical care across multiple specialties. Patient-centric care supported with state-of-the-art infrastructure will drive the spectrum of services at the hospital,” said Dr. Rajendra … Read more »».

Indian quiz contest for kids being held in Pakistan

BANGALORE – Around 10,000 people from Pakistan have in views posted on Facebook welcomed the holding of the ‘Horlicks Wizkids 2010′ quiz contest in three Pakistani cities, to select finalists for the Nov 25 South Asian finals involving India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, an official said.

The ‘Horlicks Wizkids 2010′ is being held in Lahore, … Read more >>>.

Students strike cripples varsity in Meghalaya

SHILLONG – Normal functioning of Meghalaya’s North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) was disrupted Monday, the first day of the indefinite strike called by students to pressurise the central government to remove A.N. Rai as vice-chancellor and appoint a local academician instead.

“We will continue with the strike till our demands are met,” Meghalaya Tribal Students …. Original source  : Students strike cripples varsity in Meghalaya.

For St Xavier’s College, Obama visit ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’

MUMBAI – The excitement is palpable. The 130-year-old St Xavier’s College here is waiting with baited breath for US President Barack Obama to address 300 students on its premises Nov 7 and can’t help but feel a sense of pride for being the chosen one.

Obama’s visit is “a once in a lifetime opportunity”, … Original article on : For St Xavier’s College, Obama visit ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.

Indian varsities powerhouses of knowledge, says Kalam

ALIGARH – Indian universities hold great potential, and are the powerhouses of knowledge, former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said at a convocation here Tuesday.

“Our universities hold great potential for preparing India’s next generation to face the upcoming challenges. They are the powerhouses of knowledge,” Kalam, a Bharat Ratna awardee, said while addressing students at … Read more »»».

World Bank helps Meghalaya set up hospital

NEW DELHI – For addressing the shortage of medical staff and improving health services, the World Bank is supporting Meghalaya in India’s northeast to establish its first public-private partnership for a new hospital and medical college, a statement said Tuesday.

According to the statement, International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank group, …. Original source  : World Bank helps Meghalaya set up hospital.

Jharkhand plans English schools in villages

RANCHI – The Jharkhand government will open English medium schools in 203 blocks of the state, Chief Minister Arjun Munda announced here Tuesday.

“In the current financial year, we will open English medium schools in 41 blocks while the rest will be opened in the next financial year,” Munda told reporters.
“The government plans … Read more : Jharkhand plans English schools in villages.

British parents bribe kids to read

LONDON – More than half of parents in Britain admit they have to bribe their children to read with incentives such as permission to watch television and use computer, a survey has found.

Both teachers and parents believe that increased access to technology is turning children off reading, with many youngsters bored by books, the …. Original source  : British parents bribe kids to read.

Kendriya Vidyalayas to offer skill development

NEW DELHI – Kendriya Vidyalaya campuses will now be available for skill development courses after school hours, the human resource development ministry said Wednesday.

The decision was taken by the board of governors of Kendriya Vidyalayas Sangathan, chaired by Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal, following the recommendations of the Academic Advisory Committee of the … Read more : Kendriya Vidyalayas to offer skill development.

Indian Inc facing quality manpower crunch: Survey

NEW DELHI – India Inc is facing a severe shortage of skilled manpower as the undergraduates in the general stream of arts, commerce and science churned out by the country’s educational institutions are not up to the mark, reveals a survey.

“Employability quotient of the undergraduates in India reveals this unsettling reality that GenNext is … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Indian Inc facing quality manpower crunch: Survey.

Obama, Michelle start Day 2 in Mumbai school

Mumbai, Nov. 7 (IANS) After a hectic first day in India’s financial capital, US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle kicked off their second day at the Holy Name School Sunday morning.

The couple went to the school in one of the quiet bylanes of Colaba, a hub of foreigners and close to the …. Source  : Obama, Michelle start Day 2 in Mumbai school.

Mumbai school kids excited about Obama visit

MUMBAI – All pepped up and barely unable to contain their excitement, students of the Holy Name School eagerly awaited US President Barack Obama’s visit Sunday morning.

Dressed in her navy blue school uniform, a school student who will get an opportunity to meet Obama, said: “I am really excited to meet the US …. Read the original article  : Mumbai school kids excited about Obama visit.

7th World Robot Olympiad kicks off in Philippines

MANILA – The 7th World Robot Olympiad (WRO) kicked off in Manila Saturday, attracting some 1,000 young contestants from over 30 countries, Xinhua reported.

Philippines is hosting the event for first time.
In the Regular Category of the competition, games like “Knock and Secure Bottles” and “Pole Climbing” were organised.
Elementary school contestants … Read more : 7th World Robot Olympiad kicks off in Philippines.

Obama for better ties in education sector

MUMBAI – US President Barack Obama expressed the need for increased America-India partnership in the field of education, both in his speech at the Oberoi’s Trident Hotel here and at a private meeting with a select group of people from Mumbai Saturday evening.

Among those present at the meeting with the select group was the …. Original article  : Obama for better ties in education sector.