Upcoming Events: Anticipated Dates for JEE Main, NEET, CUET Nipah Outbreak Concerns; West Bengal’s Educational Reform Agenda
Educational Updates:
NMMS, Inspire, and Commonwealth Scholarships Unveiled; CAT 2023 Registration Deadline Extended; Greenlight for 23 New Sainik Schools.
Recent Educational Updates:
Although not officially confirmed, it is anticipated that major national-level entrance exams such as JEE Main 2024 (engineering), NEET UG 2024 (undergraduate medicine), and CUET UG 2024 (admission to central and other universities) will likely take place from January to May, as reported by the Times of India. While this aligns with the typical schedule for these exams, which mirrors their 2023 editions, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the precise dates for JEE Main, NEET 2024, and CUET UG next week.
Exam Date Announcements Bring Clarity, Yet Suicides Persist: In Kota, Rajasthan, a city where thousands congregate annually to prepare for these exams, a grim trend endures. Despite concerted efforts by the district administration, coaching institutions, law enforcement, and parents to thwart further tragedies, another young student tragically took her own life in this coaching hub, with her sights set on NEET 2024. Among the more emotionally attuned students, skepticism prevails regarding the efficacy of spring-loaded fans and window bars in alleviating the pressures of cutthroat competition, emotional detachment, and isolation often experienced in Kota’s coaching institutes. Additionally, a student at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar lost their life to suicide, prompting widespread protests.
In further education developments, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow has decided to prolong the registration deadline for the Common Admission Test (CAT 2023). Meanwhile, West Bengal has unveiled its State Education Policy 2023, which, while sharing commonalities with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, also diverges on significant issues like board examinations, the overhaul of school education, and language acquisition. Notably, Kerala has taken preventive measures in response to the Nipah virus outbreak within the state, temporarily shuttering all schools and colleges in Kozhikode.
In more positive education highlights, seven accomplished scientists and engineers hailing from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru secured the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for 2022. Additionally, Delhi University is in preparation mode for the upcoming student union (DUSU) elections set to take place next week, with all major factions unveiling their candidates. The Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has released its DUSU election manifesto, promising initiatives like menstrual holidays and a halt to fee hikes. Meanwhile, students at Jawaharlal Nehru University are actively seeking to resume their JNUSU election proceedings.
Educational Policy Updates:
The new leader of the Right to Education (RTE) Forum emphasizes the enduring relevance of the RTE Act 2009, advocating for its return to the forefront of public discourse.
In Uttarakhand, the Waqf Board has decided that state madrassas will adopt the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) curriculum from 2023, incorporate Sanskrit into their teachings, and implement a dress code.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is set to provide training to 15 lakh teachers within three years under the Malaviya Mission, utilizing 111 training centers.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan laid the foundations for 142 PM Shri Schools in Uttarakhand and launched the Skill India Digital Platform. He also held discussions with vice-chancellors of West Bengal state universities, whose appointments had stirred controversy due to their selection by the Governor, contrary to the state government’s preferences.
Kerala has allocated Rs 210 crore for mid-day meals and stressed that the central government had not released its portion. It was clarified that the funds received from the center were designated for the 2021-22 financial year.
