Articles in India Together categorized under Education

Girls get the power to refuse child marriage

Amrita Nandy — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 03:43:02 +0000

In West Bengal, girls are being empowered to refuse early marriage thanks to a state government initiative that enables them to stay longer in school. The Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme has been remarkably successful in curbing child marriage and promoting girl child education, says Saadia Azim.

The skills journey: A long history but no destination in sight

Shambhu Ghatak — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 14:32:42 +0000

In the second and concluding part of his exposition on India’s skill development efforts, Shambhu Ghatak traces the journey under the UPA and NDA governments, only to find that while the thrust remains the same, the end is far from sight.

The gap between where we are and where we want to be

Shambhu Ghatak — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:21:37 +0000

The Skill India Mission aims to provide skills training to around 402 million people by the year 2022. In the first of a two-part series, Shambhu Ghatak upholds estimates of skilled workforce from various reports to highlight the yawning gap that needs to be bridged.

Non-compliance and violations of RTE Act in TN schools

Himanshu Upadhyaya — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 08:02:14 +0000

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India’s report on Tamil Nadu (General and Social Sector) for the year ending on March 31, 2014 got tabled in the state assembly last month. Himanshu Upadhyaya analyses the report and asks question on the non-responsiveness of the state government to CAG’s performance review.

When schools and parents clash

Puja Awasthi — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 12:18:49 +0000

Lack of open communication between parents and school authorities is diminishing trust and respect between them. This in turn has caused many unfortunate incidents that could have been avoided, reports Puja Awasthi.

Where is teaching headed in the Modi regime?

Shivali Tukdeo — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 05:06:41 +0000

Despite the simplistic articulation of teachers' roles and teaching, including that by PM Modi, and the alignment of education to a broader nationalistic agenda, could there be potential ‘teachable moments’ under the new regime? Shivali Tukdeo and Savitha Suresh Babu explain.

The false promise of a demographic dividend

Kannan Kasturi — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 04:44:42 +0000

Much is made out of the proportion of youth in India’s population and what it could mean for its economy and progress. However, statistics and trends in education and employment within this group do not paint a promising picture, points out Kannan Kasturi.

Why ‘skilling’ India must focus on schooling

E S Ramamurthy — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 03:33:09 +0000

The thrust on vocational skills and values among the youth has more often looked at solutions based on extraneous skill-development modules. E S Ramamurthy explains why a more skilled future workforce must entail fundamental reforms in schooling.

Who will lead the anti-corruption agenda in the health sector?

Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 04:09:44 +0000

The conduct of election of members to the Medical Council of India in 2013 and its subsequent actions over the past year have underlined the brazen corruption in the regulatory body. Developments in the health ministry raise doubts over whether these issues will be tackled at all. A round up

A better life through literacy

Abhijit Mohanty — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 03:35:48 +0000

The broad-based Community Based Functional Literacy Campaign launched by the State Resource Centre of Rayagada, Orissa aims to educate women and drop-out girls in three of the most backward districts of the state. Abhijit Mohanty summarises the key take-aways so far.

Who will broaden their horizons?

Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 12:56:56 +0000

On the eve of Teachers’ Day, PM Narendra Modi called upon teachers across the country to inculcate broader perspectives and greater social responsibility among students. But given the shortage of teachers and crippling social malpractices, how realistic is that vision?

Building a library a day

Ramesh Menon — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 04:26:39 +0000

Entrepreneur and social activist Pradeep Lokhande’s project of setting up a library every day across rural schools in Maharashtra is helping many poor students see the light of a new day. Ramesh Menon reports on this unique initiative.

Should Modi now steer India towards Gujarat?

Ramesh Menon — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 07:58:12 +0000

The Gujarat development model has been widely credited with the potential to change India’s future. As the new government completes a month in power, Ramesh Menon stresses the need to seriously question if it is really one that should be replicated in every Indian state.

A dream come true, but can it seed another?

Shankar Jaganathan — Mon, 19 May 2014 07:24:20 +0000

The overwhelming mandate won by the BJP under Narendra Modi has led to continuing upward rally in the markets, but can it also inspire similar cheer in the social space? Shankar Jaganathan remains optimistic.

How parties are wooing the young voter

Tanvi Bhatikar — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:24:11 +0000

The huge number of voters among the youth could well emerge to be the real game-changers in the parliamentary elections of 2014. Tanvi Bhatikar looks at the manifestos of the three main parties to see what they have to lure young voters.

Why Bihar’s child is different from Himachal’s

Ankita Aggarwal — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 03:45:54 +0000

The Integrated Child Development Services scheme was launched to address the nutrition, health and learning needs of all children below six years of age. Ankita Aggarwal shares findings from a survey that point to the huge variations in implementation and effectiveness.

The real and present threat to our future

Ramesh Menon — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000

India is at a turning point and needs a holistic education system to meet the requirements and expectations of various existing and emerging sectors. Unless there is a revamp, our youngsters have a bleak future, says Ramesh Menon

A school for me too

Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000

The Nanagu Shaale programme of a Karnataka-based NGO shows why the national Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan's provision of home-based education for children with special needs may in practice defeat the ideological objective of inclusion. Satarupa Sen Bhattacharya reports.

Helping Pardhi children aim for the sun

Shirish Khare — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000

While state atrocities against Pardhi communities show few signs of abatement, a small school in Mahadev Basti in Usmanabad, Maharashtra brings a ray of hope. Shirish Khare reports.

Ballia: Chasing elusive dreams

Puja Awasthi — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Lack of development and unmet aspirations in India's villages and small towns not only raise the pressures arising from rural-urban migration, but also trigger an overall sociological malaise that is so difficult to dispel. Puja Awasthi reports from Ballia in eastern Uttar Pradesh, a stark example.

Why India needs an alternative model of development

Sakuntala Narasimhan — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Apathetic, inefficient government and mindless pursuit of Western consumerist ideals by a few have brought India's marginalized millions to a state where the judiciary has to intervene to enforce the most basic of rights. Often, without effect, as Sakuntala Narasimhan finds.

Shielding campuses from violence

Promona Sengupta — Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Violence during college union elections, the death of a protesting 22-year-old student in police custody and a resultant chain of events have led to earnest debates in West Bengal over whether students should stay away from active politics. Promona Sengupta explores the reality underlying prevailing sentiments.

A good school for Maqbool

Firdaus Ahmed — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The refrain of late has been that a Muslim middle class is developing, implying that Muslims are beginning to do well in the country. Why, then, is it so hard to find Muslim children in elite schools, asks Firdaus Ahmed.

CAG finds gaps in Arunachal education

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0000

While the infusion of SSA funds has helped the State make considerable progress on many counts, there is still much to be done, to ensure all the necessary inputs flow to the schools. Himanshu Upadhyaya reports.

Struggling to go beyond the basics

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Sikkim leads the nation in per-student expenditure by quite some distance, but bureaucratic hurdles to progress common elsewhere are to be found here too. Himanshu Upadhyaya reports.

Tamilnadu's striking progress in welfare

Reetika Khera — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

The better education and health outcome indicators in the southern states compared to the north, has been acknowledged for a long time. And yet to see it with ones own eyes really drives home the poin,t say Reetika Khera.

Funding at a snail's pace

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000

All the increased budgets for education in the country may not amount to much, if the States don't move the money fast enough to the intended uses, which is not happening now. Himanshu Upadhyaya reports.

Universal education, minimal learning

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Tripura's proclaimed progress in ensuring high attendance and sufficient numbers of teachers doesn't stand up to scrutiny. There are many holes in the numbers as well as quality. Himanshu Upadhyaya reports.

Uniform, but unworkable

Parth Shah — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The desire for quality education for all children is noble and surely one shared by all. But Tamilnadu's Samacheer Kalvi makes that more difficult, writes Parth Shah.

The Reservation syndrome

E S Ramamurthy — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There has been a needless focus on the Right to Education Act's provision of aspirational seats in private schools. Only a small fraction of public schools students can benefit from this, writes E S Ramamurthy.

Focus on learning outcomes

E S Ramamurthy — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Sikshana's programs show that significant increases in learning outcomes can be achieved in government schools if additional funds are properly targeted. We need more interventions of this kind, writes E S Ramamurthy.

The big fight over RTE

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

It is the first meaningful attempt by the Government of India to make good on a promise it made at the time of Independence itself, and yet, the RTE law has ended up in the courts. What happened and why? The India Together editorial.

Unlearning the untruths

E S Ramamurthy — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The debate over improving government schools in India is eerily similar in tone and content to the failed ideas that were advanced in the US. We need to steer a different path, writes E S Ramamurthy.

Imperiling public education

E S Ramamurthy — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Most private schools are not elite at all, contrary to public perception, and the Right to Education Act will let them run amok at the expense of the public education system, writes E S Ramamurthy.

A drama on campus

Shoma Chatterji — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Will the FTII, which once encouraged plurality of cinema, be reduced to providing skilled labour for an assembly line production system of films? Students and alumni are worried. Shoma Chatterji reports.

Still wielding the cane

Shoma Chatterji — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Despite the law and various rulings prohibiting it, corporal punishment continues to be practiced widely. And it is left to victims themselves to take up the challenge of ending it. Shoma Chatterji reports.

The knowledge economy and the knowledge society

Rajesh Kasturirangan — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The reasons for the decline of Indian academia are more complex than just the influence of IT, however significant that might be, writes Rajesh Kasturirangan.

A serpent in paradise

Ramachandra Guha — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The UGC and the Ministry of HRD must rehabilitate a fine scholar persecuted merely for asking that a place of learning focus on the practice of learning, writes Ramachandra Guha.

Manipur schools closure: boycott enters third month

Thingnam Anjulika Samom — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

For over two months, young Manipuris have boycotted schools and colleges in the state. Two killings in broad daylight in Imphal, including one allegedly custodial, have resulted in the deadlock. Thingnam Anjulika Samom has more.

Poor parents pushing children into English schools

Krithika Ramalingam — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Recognising that government schools with their Tamil medium education do nothing to ensure a good career path or ensure employment, parents are stretching themselves to make the shift in rural Tamilnadu. Still, plenty of challenges remain reports Krithika Ramalingam.

Many bridges to cross for children in Krishnagiri

Krithika Ramalingam — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The odds of children in villages in Krishnagiri district, Tamilnadu, making it to college are one per cent, ten times below the low national average. Some interventions are helping, finds Krithika Ramalingam as she records the many realities here.

From awareness campaigns to real change

Charumathi Supraja — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal would do well to assess the learnings from two recent and major HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns, before "looking into the ban on sex education", if he really wants to make change, writes Charumathi Supraja.

In 2009, bonded and bundled out of school

Krithika Ramalingam — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Stone quarries, brick kilns, sand mining and silk weaving are stealing SC/ST children out of school in Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts of Tamilnadu. Krithika Ramalingam reports on the hard reality these children face.

The chancellors' vice

Ramachandra Guha — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The quality of teaching and research in Indian universities has rapidly declined. Surely this has something to do with the manner in which we appoint those at their helm, writes Ramachandra Guha.

Alarming malnutrition pushing children out of school - I

Krithika Ramalingam — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Tamilnadu leads the country in nutritional interventions and yet has alarming levels of hunger in children. Research indicates that is a very likely cause of poor schooling achievement and drop-out rates, reports Krithika Ramalingam.

Calcutta HC steps in against corporal punishment

Shoma Chatterji — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A division bench passed a series of orders last month while hearing a public interest litigation alleging that the West Bengal government had failed to enforce the ban against violence on children in schools. Shoma Chatterji reports.

Alternative advantage, shackled by regulation

Krithika Ramalingam — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A number of NGO-run schools in Tamilnadu are making a clear difference in helping underprivileged chilren get a better shot at the real world, in comparison to state-run schools. Still, the schools themselves need help, finds Krithika Ramalingam.

Zip through class V, drop out at class X

Krithika Ramalingam — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

With Tamilnadu being a high-ranking state in the Educational Development Index in the country, one would expect children in government-run schools in metros like Chennai to be ahead of their counterparts elsewhere. Wrong. Krithika Ramalingam did a reality check.

Kerala revises controversial school textbook

P N Venugopal — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The K N Panikkar committee recommended a change in a controversial chapter of a social sciences textbook that triggered violent agitation on the grounds that it promoted atheism and communism. P N Venugopal has more.

Higher education: The underbelly of privatisation

Kannan Kasturi — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Too many new self-financing private institutions present a dismal face, offering poor quality at high cost to millions of students, but going scot-free as the bureaucracy looks away and politicians cash in. Kannan Kasturi reports.

Children in the crossfire

Shoma Chatterji — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A CRY report from Nandigram finds that children's experience of the violence there is intensely personal. Their vocabulary now includes words like shilpo, santrash and proshashon. Shoma Chatterji reports.

Learning loss and the education bureaucracy

A R Vasavi — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The government school system is not a rationally driven and coherent apparatus of state policy. Instead, its everyday work is continuously and varyingly reshaped in the light of social, institutional, and policy related inflections, write A R Vasavi and Rahul Mukhopadhyay.

School textbook issue spirals into political row

P N Venugopal — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The new class VII social science textbook in Kerala has become the cause of clashes. Groups agitating against the book allege its content is anti-religion, while the state curriculum board says it propagates religious tolerance. P N Venugopal reports on the controversy.

Pushed over the edge

Puja Awasthi — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

A spate of suicides by students in Lucknow has parents and school administrators equally worried. Puja Awasthi reports on the reasons behind this alarming trend.

A creeping insularity

Ramachandra Guha — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

At Santiniketan, Tagore's presence still inhabits many buildings; the keepers of which buildings are often knowledgeable about his legacy. But the place needs to be de-parochialised to make it once more inclusively Indian, writes Ramachandra Guha.

Fighting to learn in their language

Aparna Pallavi — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

For a miniscule community of East-Bengali origin living in in Maharashtra, it has been a long struggle for the right to learn in their mother tongue. The community has won some victories recently, and much more remains to be done. Aparna Pallavi reports.

Missing chapter in history of universal schooling

N P Chekkutty — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The centenary of admitting Dalit children into public schools in Kerala is an opportunity to remember Ayyankali, whose leadership of the movement isn't part of mainstream history. A proper retelling of this history is now the responsibility of a new generation of historians, writes N P Chekkutty.

Assessment to action: The example of ASER

Rukmini Banerjee — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

With data available for several years, comparative report cards can be created to look at the performance of states across the country and of districts within a state. Rukmini Banerji and Wilma Wadhwa look at the example of ASER in education.

Unwilling learners pose special problems

Aparna Pallavi — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The challenge of educating street and railway children is more than an education problem - it is a holistic problem of moulding and supporting their entire lives. Aparna Pallavi reports on the efforts of CNI-SSI in Nagpur.

Know disaster, no disaster

Rasika Dhavse — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Over 400 children from 36 schools in Pune participated in the two-day event on 'Children - Disasters and Sustainable Futures' on 4-5 January this year. They gathered knowledge about disasters and how to best manage in such situations, ensuring minimum loss of life and property. Rasika Dhavse reports.

Pioneering library sparks volunteerism

Sailen Routray — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Launched after a successful international pledge campaign in 2007, the Bakul children's library in Bhubaneshwar is slowly turning into a node for various kinds of volunteering. Professors, young artists, students, organisers and others have started chipping in. Sailen Routray has more.

Children fix their own schools

Aparna Pallavi — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Since 1994, the Socio Economic Development Trust has succeeded in drawing some 11,000 dropouts in 220 villages of Maharashtra back to school through unique village-level children's organisations called Bal Panchayats. Aparna Pallavi reports.

The Dr Watson problem

Rajesh Kasturirangan — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

As a young country with many technical problems, we need an army of Holmeses who can solve them. But the Macaulay-inspired education has always suited the Watsons, who cannot. Until this changes, there will be little hope of swaraj in ideas, writes Rajesh Kasturirangan.

Snakes and Ladders arming children against disasters

Rasika Dhavse — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Pune-based firm Neeti Solutions has designed a unique version of the popular game Snakes and Ladders, aimed at teaching children about fires and earthquakes and how to cope best in such situations. Rasika Dhavse has more.

Jointly-owned job orientation

Surekha Sule — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0000

A skills training programme that links potential employees' learning programmes with the specific needs of employers provides a new, scalable option for helping millions of unemployed young persons find jobs. Surekha Sule reports.

What price, education?

Aparna Pallavi — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Hundreds of farming families are making a beeline to Karanja from surrounding districts in the hope of a better education for their children. Although this has brought financial as well as a other problems, these families feel they have little choice. Aparna Pallavi reports.

Tripura focuses on education for tribals

Ratna Bharali Talukdar — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000

A wide range of programmes and strong financial support have helped Tripura raise access to education for its tribal population. Ratna Bharali Talukdar on the many incentives that anchor the state's efforts to bridge the learning gap between tribals and non-tribals.

A toolkit for development reports

Rukmini Banerjee — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000

In 11 of the poorest districts in the country, a citizens' audit of development, modeled on an earlier study of education, helps residents themselves easily identify how their areas fare on key measures. Rukmini Banerjee and Shanti Jagannathan introduce PAHELI, the People's Audit of Health, Education and Livelihoods.

Their secret status and a risky schooling

Puja Awasthi — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000

HIV-positive children are being thrown out of school in Uttar Pradesh by insensitive teachers and parents alike. Many parents are afraid to let schools know that their children are positive, and the state's machinery has failed to raise any awareness, as a major study has shown. Puja Awasthi sounds the warning bells.

Tripura promotes Kok-Borok in tribal schools

Ratna Bharali Talukdar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000

In 2005, the Education department of Tripura decided to give a push to Kok-Borok as a medium of instruction at the Junior Basic level to help tribal students learn in their mother tongue. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports on the challenges as well as the gains from a strong focus on education in recent years in the state.

For street children, a pot-holed path to learning

Ratna Bharali Talukdar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000

On the streets in Guwahati, there are thousands of children outside the reach of the normal schooling system. Many have run away from their homes, and most must work to make ends meet. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports on the challenges of bringing them into the mainstream.

Laureates meet: reminder to shackled Indian sciences

Varupi Jain — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0000

In July, 18 Nobel laureates met with over 500 young scientists from around the world in Germany. India sent 22 researchers. The meeting threw up many questions pertaining to the practice of scientific research in India. Varupi Jain has more.

Caste discrimination persisting in U.P. schools

Puja Awasthi — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0000

On Independence day, a District Magistrate in U.P. handed over three teachers of a primary school to the police, during a surprise school visit. School children are among the worst sufferers in the state; they continue to pay for a system they neither moulded nor understand. Puja Awasthi reports.

In conflict zone, a battle to secure futures

Ratna Bharali Talukdar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0000

With large parts of the state experiencing regular conflict between insurgents and security forces, and also between various ethnic groups, children in Assam, many of them forced into relief camps, face the risk of losing all access to education. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports.

Catalysing rural jobs through targeted training

Padmalatha Ravi — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0000

In the major metros, a range of new vocational courses is helping high school students find jobs in the rapidly industrialising sectors. What about job-seekers in small towns and rural areas? Padmalatha Ravi reports on two NGO-led training innovations in Tamilnadu and Karnataka.

State of Muslim education in Kerala

Deepa A — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0000

In Kerala, considered a role model for other parts of the country, almost all Muslim children up to the tenth standard are in school, numbers that compare well to that of other communities. Yet, the story is very different when one looks at higher education, writes Deepa A.

Training in local languages key for new jobs

Padmalatha Ravi — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The latest vocational education courses are presenting job opportunities for high school graduates that their poor parents lacked. Institutes conducting bilingual training are particularly helpful for students who are very likely to have not schooled in English medium. Padmalatha Ravi has more.

Assam's high schools and colleges - a mixed bag

Ratna Bharali Talukdar — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Assam government has claimed credit for the rise in pass percentages in high schools in recent years. But, reports Ratna Bharali Talukdar, a closer look at the numbers shows there is still much room for improvement in state-funded education in high schools and colleges.

School choice looms for poor students

Krithika Ramalingam — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Government schools are unable to deliver quality education in most cases. This has prompted some to argue for vouchers - coupons from the government to be given to parents that would let them admit their children in private schools instead. Krithika Ramalingam reports on a movement that is gathering steam.

People's school for water literacy

Shree Padre — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

A private high school in Sirsi, in northern Karnataka is not stopping at imparting academic education. It has also started teaching practical water literacy to the people of five Malnad districts. The rain centre at the school, with 28 examples of rain water harvesting, opened in early June. Shree Padre reports.

Courses and jobs aplenty, but students uncertain

Padmalatha Ravi — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

In Karnataka, job-training programmes are on offer at a number of institutes, and yet, students unable to make it into college are not lining up in large numbers. Ironically, a manpower crunch exists across industries at the entry level, placing employers in a bind. Padmalatha Ravi digs deeper.

Wanting to study, daring to dream

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

In U.P., the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya scheme - instituted under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in 2005 to ensure access and quality elementary education (Class 6-8) for disadvantaged girls - has opened new doors hitherto closed because of discrimination and poverty. Swapna Majumdar has more.

Bringing disabled kids back to school

P N Venugopal — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

When a teacher specially trained to handle children with special needs started work at a local government school in Bangalore, children were benefited and stopped dropping out. Padmalatha Ravi has more.

Funded, controlled, and run aground

Ratna Bharali Talukdar — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Meghalaya's vocational training system, despite being funded by New Delhi as well as the state government, has two problems. One, there is dearth of adequate number of Industrial Training Institutes (ITI). Two, the placement record is poor and does not generate demand. Ratna Bharali Talukdar finds out what went wrong.

First class, against all odds

Ranjan K Panda — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0000

A remote school with no electricity, in an area full of other institutions that don't fare well. Why does the Swastik school in Godbhanga village in Orissa perform so much better than others in the district? Ranjan K Panda observes that it is led by someone who perseveres, and all its achievements can be traced to this simple fact.

Many distractions hurt UP's SSA

Puja Awasthi — Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:00 +0000

While Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has managed to push centre-stage the key concerns of 'universal literacy' and 'elementary education for all', a spirited pitch for its implementation is necessary to ensure that it does not remain floundering in India's most populous state. Puja Awasthi reports.

Polishing away their futures

Ranjan K Panda — Wed, 09 May 2007 00:00:00 +0000

In one of development's pampered districts in Orissa, chamar children are still polishing shoes, some even as they are supposedly schooling. Special economic packages are helping only a little here, and academic performance and serious rehabilitation remain abysmal, finds Ranjan K Panda.

Attendance up, but penetration poor

Ratna Bharali Talukdar — Mon, 07 May 2007 00:00:00 +0000

For scores of students in Assam's primary schools, cooked food served in school under the Midday Meal Scheme is an attraction. Headmasters vouch for its impact in increasing attendance, but point to several challenges in making the scheme work statewide. Ratna Bharali Talukdar reports.

Sex education and survival tools

Kalpana Sharma — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The recent decisions of several state governments to ban sex education in all schools concern everyone, particularly women. In this age of the knowledge economy, we cannot believe that people's access to information on any subject, including matters relating to sex, can be controlled, says Kalpana Sharma.

Hunger persists, attendance record patchy

Puja Awasthi — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Without a serious commitment from the government, and plagued by operational difficulties in managing its sheer size, the plan to improve school attendance through the provision of lunches for students has gone awry in Uttar Pradesh. Puja Awasthi reports.

SSA's acclaim hides many failures

Kalpana Misra — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Despite being feted as a huge success, the flagship programme of the government for the universalisation of primary education leaves much to be desired. Ironically, the easy availability of the funds for a supposedly successful scheme may be preventing it from being as productive as it could otherwise be. Kalpana Misra reports.

Gujarat's textbooks: Full of biases and errors

Deepa A — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

An ongoing study of school textbooks in four states has found stereotypes and biases in Gujarat's textbooks. The Social Studies textbook for standard five has nine stories on mythology masquerading as history. Deepa A reports.

The other revolution of 1857

Ramachandra Guha — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Once, our universities made a fundamental contribution to the opening of the Indian mind. Now, it is more likely that they will act as a constraint to the further economic and social development of India. Ramachandra Guha notes the four ills that plague India's universities, 150 years after the first three of them were established.

Goa wrestles with language in schools

Rupa Chinai — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The abrupt transition from Konkani and Marathi in primary schools to English in Standard V puts tremendous pressure on children from rural communities in Goa. By the time these learners reach the crucial higher grades, nearly half of them drop out of school. Rupa Chinai reports.

Segregated and building their own schools

Deepa A — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

The Gujarat state government appears to have very little planned by way of support for the education of Muslim children. What's more the education department appears to be standing in the way of the embattled community's attempts to help itself. Deepa A has more.

A programme for functional literacy

Kavitha Kuruganti — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

A few months of learning using the primers developed by Utthan have helped over 2000 women in the ravine regions of Bundelkhand so far; they no longer rely on the assistance of others for their daily reading needs. Freny Manecksha reports that crossing this threshold helps open the women many other doors too.

SSA under the Comptroller's lens

Himanshu Upadhyaya — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Last year, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) brought the performance of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme under the scanner. The report, which was placed in Parliament in August 2006, uncovered a top-heavy programme with local leaks and a flawed implementation. Himanshu Upadhyaya has more.

Still suffering, five years after

Deepa A — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Five years have passed after the riots, five years in which saplings have become trees and blueprints have taken the shape of buildings. But time seems to have stopped for many families and children who suffered or witnessed atrocities during the 2002 riots, altering their dreams and hopes in unlikely, distressing ways. Deepa A has more.

Are new teaching methods working?

P N Venugopal — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Efforts to make learning more interactive and more fun for students appear promising, but it may be too soon to judge if they are positively impacting children's performance in standard tests and surveys. Meanwhile, teachers complain that these efforts have added to their already heavy burden. Padmalatha Ravi reports.

Training the millions left behind

Varupi Jain — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Vocational training could play a key role in bridging the gap that keeps millions of workers in the unorganised economy away from a better future. The needs of informal sector workers are complex, and mere training for income-generation is seen to be insufficient, writes Varupi Jain.

An entitlement with no law

Deepa A — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

With the Central government lobbing the ball into the states' court, the right to education bill has practically lost its very essence. Without a central legislation to support it, a constitutional guarantee will have little meaning, say most experts. Deepa A concludes the 'Lens on Education' series.

Sitamarhi's lost children

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

This northern most district of Bihar, bordering Nepal, has hordes of dalit hindu and muslim children working at hotels and restaurants in violation of a statutory order prohibiting such work. Everything from education policy, to law enforcement, to rehabilitation has been messed up, finds Rahul Ramagundam.

Caste conflict hurting schooling for dalits

Rahul Ramagundam — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

In a number of dalit settlements in Gaya, Bihar, there are school structures but no teachers. In some places, where there are both, as in Parariya village, the dominant Yadavs make intrusive and insulting remarks that do not provide a facilitating environment. Rahul Ramagundam reports.

School meals make slow progress

Padmalatha Ravi — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

School authorities say, and records show, that while enrolment has not been substantially improved as a result of mid-day meal programmes, school attendance has certainly gone up by 10-12%. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement in the management of the scheme. Padmalatha Ravi reports.

New indicators needed to track SSA

Deepa A — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Since the introduction of the central government's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme, enrolment numbers in schools have gone up. But how reliable and meaningful are the enrolment figures? Deepa A uncovers major indications of things having gone wrong in SSA's quest for targets.

All theory and no practice

Varupi Jain — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The government-run vocational training system in India has a total annual training capacity of about 28 lakh (2,800,000) students. But most curricula 'followed' at institutes imparting vocational training have little relevance for wage or self-employment. Varupi Jain reports on the macro-picture.

A mother's touch at school

Kavitha Kuruganti — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

An innovative program of education for young children achieves the twin objectives of encouraging more families to send their girls to school, as well as giving the teachers a greater sense of autonomy over their own lives. Malvika Kaul reports on the Mother-Teacher Programme.

Pioneering school faces new obstacles

Deepa A — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This 15-year-old school in Rajasthan has been providing quality education accessible to poor children. But going against the spirit of a High Court order, the Jaipur Development Authority has asked the Bandhyali school to pay a prohibitive sum for its allotted land. Deepa A reports.

Not by mainstream schools alone

Deepa A — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Do alternative schools work? After all, every child has to ultimately face a society that puts a premium on competitiveness and commodification. Or are alternatives only an option for children of parents from a certain class of society? Deepa A finds out.

ASER shows measurement matters

Rukmini Banerji — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The government is moving in the direction of greater focus and emphasis on the improving learning levels of school children. There are debates on how this is to be done, strategies to be used, and the measurements to be used. Last year's annual survey of education was an important in put to this process, writes Rukmini Banerjee.

Textbooks for change

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

A number of new NCERT textbooks for class I to class XII have been designed to encourage children to question social prejudices, discrimination and inequalities. This is a conscious reversal of the earlier trend where textbooks reinforced prevailing stereotypes, notes Deepti Priya Mehrotra.

Government stalling sec. school reforms

Deepa A — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0000

The central government's own figures indicate that many as two-thirds of those eligible for secondary education remain outside the school system today. A Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) committee estimates that 88,562 additional classrooms will be required in 2007-08 and over 1.3 lakh additional teachers. Deepa A reports.

"My name is Minu Bora"

Rukmini Banerji — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Pursuing a national measurement of the education, Rukmini Banerji reaches Arunachal Pradesh. Through chats and conversations and activities with children, she finds that the map of India is much more than dots and lines on a piece of paper, but also the anxieties and dreams of where we want to be tomorrow.

Mother tongue or English?

Deepa A — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

With a multitude of problems and the diversity of languages, the medium of instruction remains a topic of impassioned debate. Teaching in the mother tongue fuels pride, but English is here to stay. Fostering multilingualism in our schools, however, is far from smooth sailing. Deepa A reports.

A bridge it is, but to where?

Deepa A — Fri, 26 May 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Public funded non-formal education has been in vogue in India from the 1970s. While NFE centres were meant to be a special bridge for underprivileged children to get back to mainstream schools, many are bereft of infrastructure, pay teachers less and teach students little. Deepa A investigates.

Autonomy comes closer, but debates persist

Deepa A — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:00:00 +0000

For decades, there have been concerns that India's universities were being bogged down by the number of institutes they had to manage. Recently, the University Grants Commission accepted in principle that autonomy must be green-lighted. But debates on the freedom of institutions remain inconclusive, reports Deepa A.

An instruction set for teachers

Deepa A — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0000

A draft curriculum for teacher training acknowledges several problems in preparing teachers properly for the classroom, but it's unclear if the proposed revisions would adequately tackle these. The typical classroom in India is nothing like the environment that teachers train in, and this, say experts, must change first. Deepa A reports.

The next frontier in education

Deepa A — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000

With a long history of support for public education, Kerala has led the nation's movement towards universal literacy. But now, with the early challenges conquered, there are tough new lessons to be learned, to provide equitable, quality education. Deepa A reports.

ASER and beyond

Ashok Kamath — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000

What gets measured gets done. The First Annual Survey of Education Report has helped assess the scale of problems in public education better. It is now up to education ministries and administrators, as well as civil society to show progress in specific indicators, until the goal of universal education is met, writes Ashok Kamath.

A ciitzens' audit of education

Ashwin Mahesh — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Hundreds of NGOs, institutions, people's organisations, and individuals recently joined hands to conduct a survey, district by district, of the state of education in the country. Their findings have been summarised in the First Annual Survey of Education Report (ASER). Ashwin Mahesh reports.

Cry, my beloved school

Geeta Seshu — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

A wide-cross section of academicians and civil society organisations have come together to express dissent at the threat of closure of a well known rural school in Bandhyali, Rajasthan. They are demanding that the government honour its own commitments to provide free, good education to all children, reports Deepti Priya Mehrotra.

Included by law, but little else

Deepa A — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Children with disabilities are routinely edged out of an education system that's hesitant to acknowledge diversity. Inclusion may be the key word in India's current education policy, but there is a world of difference between the law and its implementation. Deepa A reports.

Right to Education Bill, 2005

M R Madhavan — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

The constitution now guarantees the right to education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14, but how is this to be upheld? This legislative brief by M R Madhavan and Ruchita Manghnani presents the many questions before Parliament, as it discusses the Right to Education Bill that will give effect to the guarantee.

Sex education still off the charts

Parul Sharma — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Students must feel comfortable seeking counselling on sex-related issues. Each of their questions, no matter how private, needs to be answered. Experts argue that openness in conversation would decrease frustrations and aggressions linked to sexuality amongst youth, says Parul Sharma.

A few chapters short

Deepa A — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 00:00:00 +0000

The new National Curriculum Framework has put the child firmly at the centre of its proposals. But critics point out that it has overlooked many problems, such as the lack of infrastructure, inadequate teacher training, and continuing social biases. Some provisions have also been attacked as obscurantist. Deepa A reports.

Discrimination in the name of inclusion

Deepa A — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 00:00:00 +0000

25 per cent of the seats in Delhi private schools are reserved for poor students, to be provided free. But this provision is dodged in numerous ways; schools claim ignorance of the law, that they can't find poor students, that poor students have to be educated separately even if admitted, and so on. Deepa A reports.

A right full of wrongs

Deepa A — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0000

While politicians label it 'revolutionary' legislation, experts feel that the draft bill on the fundamental right to education ignores important issues, such as education for children below six and above 14. It also dilutes the meaning of 'rights', leaving the door open for the government to not meet its obligations. Deepa A reports.

Changing notes of music education

Varupi Jain — Fri, 22 Apr 2005 00:00:00 +0000

A largely oral system for transfering knowledge has been shaken by the advent of modern methods of learning, and by great changes in Indian society. But there are positive developments too; learning music is now more democratic than in the past. Varupi Jain speaks to noted practitioners who are alert to this transformation.

The needs of today, hopes of tomorrow

Somnath Mukherji — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 00:00:00 +0000

There is a surprising hope in the most despairing places. It isn't often that many of us see this, but when we do, we are struck by the determination with which enormous deprivation is tackled by real heroes. Somnath Mukherji encounters the work of Tomorrow's Foundation in Kalighat, West Bengal.

India's unchecked textbooks racket

Binu S Thomas — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 00:00:00 +0000

The dimensions of the open, continuous and unchecked textbooks publishing rackets have recently come to light following the defeat of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government in the general election held last year. Srinidhi Raghavendra reports.

Divided by - and in - class

Satlaj Dighe — Mon, 14 Feb 2005 00:00:00 +0000

What is education for, and what is the State's obligation to support it financially? As the Central Advisory Board of Education reviews the legislation introduced in Parliament by the NDA government, Satlaj Dighe provides a snapshot of the direction of public education policy today.

Hopscotch and skipping school

Ashima Sood — Fri, 04 Feb 2005 00:00:00 +0000

The Chingrajpara slum in Bilaspur, Chhatisgarh is the city's largest of nearly 50 slums. Why are the children not in school? Why is a schooling cost of Rs 318 per year per child a tall figure for poor parents? Ashima Sood chronicles the lived experience of poverty from her visits of 2002 and 2003.

Vital reform agenda for Indian education

Binu S Thomas — Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:00 +0000

To mark its fifth anniversary, EducationWorld asked several educationists and industry leaders with proven commitment to improving the education system to write prescriptions for a renaissance of Indian education. Dilip Thakore threads the responses together.

Fading allure of five-star schools

Binu S Thomas — Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Suddenly upwardly mobile middle class parents are demanding that the managements of nexgen, five-star schools match promise with performance. And increasingly, teachers in these schools are on the warpath demanding pay packages commensurate with institutional status and environments. Summiya Yasmeen reports.

Parents' oversight in schools stalled

Subramaniam Vincent — Mon, 01 Nov 2004 00:00:00 +0000

The pressing need for direct participation of citizens in public oversight has always contrasted with the eagerness of political parties to penetrate virtually all public offices. In Karnataka, school development monitoring committees were the latest to fall victim to this imbalance. Subramaniam Vincent reports.

Science education on a slippery path

Binu S Thomas — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0000

A Shanghai-based university's ranking of world universities has relegated the highly-rated Indian Institute of Science and the IITs to the bottom of its list, shattering the comfortable assumptions of Indian academics who pride themselves on their achievements. Summiya Yasmeen reports.

Her mind, her country

Geeta Seshu — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0000

The State Council for Educational Research and Training in Delhi has taken a surprisingly different approach in its preparation of text books for students in classes 6-8. Dipta Bhog was coordinator of the team for Civics books.

Who's teaching whom?

Jemma Purdey — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Akanksha began as an idea to give slum children time and space to simply be kids, to laugh and play. It has evolved into a unique learning environment that not only provides opportunities for them to gain employment but also in the process teaches tolerance and a broader view of the world. Jemma Purdey reports.

Majority in the breach

Krithika Ramalingam — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0000

The Justice Sampath committee looking into the devastating Kumbakonam fire is expected to report its findings on school safety in the next few months. But Tamilnadu has already seen other reforms reports with little real change. Will the upcoming recommendations bring any fruit? Krithika Ramalingam finds out.

An hour of your time

Sharmistha Majumdar — Sun, 01 Aug 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Asha for Education's annual fundraiser sets a $175K target, and selects projects from West Bengal, Orissa, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Tamilnadu to receive this year's contributions.

How fire-safe are our schools?

Harminder Kaur — Sun, 01 Aug 2004 00:00:00 +0000

The majority of civil fire incidents happen due to lack of clear laws and a blatant disregard for existing rules and regulations, assert Harminder Kaur and Bhargavi S Rao. The authors look at the Karnataka situation.

Swelling support for common schools

Binu S Thomas — Thu, 01 Jul 2004 00:00:00 +0000

The new government's higher priority to education is seeing experts and activists revisit the 40-year old Kothari Commission recommendations for a common school system. Summiya Yasmeen reports.

Equals in education?

Varupi Jain — Thu, 01 Jul 2004 00:00:00 +0000

A Supreme Court directive on providing parents relief from high tuition comes with an addition - a reminder that these schools are required by law to reserve 25% of their seats free for poor children. Varupi Jain reports.

Illiteracy begins at home

Ashwin Mahesh — Thu, 01 Jul 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Millions of Indian kids are out of school because the places that were reserved for them by law were instead given to others like you and me. That may be about to change, says Ashwin Mahesh.

New stimulus for college education

Binu S Thomas — Tue, 01 Jun 2004 00:00:00 +0000

The UGC has given the green signal to a plethora of value-added, job-oriented diploma programmes in colleges and varsities. An Education World report.

Barriers to girls' education

Wahidul Hasan Khan — Tue, 01 Jun 2004 00:00:00 +0000

We should not be too quick to attribute low literacy among girls to poverty alone. A number of other factors are just as responsible. Wahidul Hasan Khan lists some of these.

Kerala sets new education course

M P Basheer — Sat, 01 May 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Responding to reports of high stress among students and parents, the state proposes to revise the grading system used in Class X. Sreedevi Jacob reports on the hopes and fears it has raised.

UGC begins a new innings

Binu S Thomas — Sat, 01 May 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Half a century after it started funding the massive expansion of higher education, the University Grants Commission is gearing itself up to engineer a quality revolution.

Long and arduous road

Binu S Thomas — Thu, 01 Apr 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Educationists and social scientists are increasingly veering around to the view that persistent gender biases are rooted in India's failed education system. As a result, the search for gender parity must begin with guaranteed access to quality education for all. Puja Rawat reports.

Is India Shining?

Binu S Thomas — Mon, 01 Mar 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Summiya Yasmeen finds critical opinion has focused understandably on disparities that mark India's progress, and the nation's young people too are keenly aware of this.

Danger! Date-expired syllabus

Binu S Thomas — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Theres a dawning awareness that the growing mismatch between the needs of the Indian economy and the nations 40 million unemployed is the obsolete education received by them. Dilip Thakore reports.

Toying with science

Rasika Dhavse — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Rasika Dhavse profiles Arvind Gupta, winner of the National Award for Science Popularisation.

Groundswell of support for mid-day meal scheme

Binu S Thomas — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0000

The Supreme Court and the overwhelming majority of academics and NGOs believe in it. A growing number of poor parents have emerged as a pressure group for this programme, report Kalpana Parikh & Summiya Yasmeen.

The people's astronomer

Rasika Dhavse — Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0000

Rasika Dhavse profiles the Pune-based Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA).

Should education be compulsory?

Sankrant Sanu — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 00:00:00 +0000

The Education Bill 2003 is well-intended, but its implication for contemporary Indian conditions must be examined first, says Sankrant Sanu.

Disturbing teacher migration tremors

Binu S Thomas — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 00:00:00 +0000

India may become the worlds largest supplier of trained school teachers to developed countries. Binu S. Thomas reports.

Environmental education - revised curricula

Rasika Dhavse — Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Textbooks for 800 schools in eight states were revised after a study on the teaching of environmental concepts. A Pune-based institute has recently begun an evaluation of the revisions, reports Rasika Dhavse.

Stemming campus violence

Binu S Thomas — Sat, 01 Nov 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Campuses across the country are reimposing law and order in an indication of new resolve to root out ragging and violence, especially against women students. Puja Rawat reports.

Eyewitness : Neglect of rural schools

Binu S Thomas — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 00:00:00 +0000

The ground realities of the nation's much neglected government-managed school system are beginning to impact the national consciousness, reports Summiya Yasmeen.

Rainbow children : dissolving differences

Kris Herbst — Wed, 01 Oct 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Since 1979, this Kolkata school has pioneered an educational process where kids from different economic and social sections of society study, play and share together as equals.

Special or segregated?

Lakshmi K — Mon, 01 Sep 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Lakshmi K argues that we must integrate mentally disabled children in the mainstream schooling system with modifications, as opposed to segregating them in separate schools.

Route map : Effective environment education

Binu S Thomas — Fri, 01 Aug 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Summiya Yasmeen reports on the contours, content and debate about environment education in India.

Keeping kids from killing kilns

Neeta Kolhatkar — Tue, 01 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Schooling has become accessible and real for these for these children of brick kiln workers in Maharashtra, says Neeta Kolhatkar.

Liberalization, literacy, governance

Jayaprakash Narayan — Tue, 01 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Fourth in a series of articles on civil society and governance, Jayaprakash Narayan answers a few commonly discussed questions.

An hour of your time

Sharmistha Majumdar — Tue, 01 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Asha for Education's annual fundraiser sets a $125K target, and selects four projects from Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujarat to receive this year's contributions.

Narikuravar Education Welfare Society

Sushma Raghavan — Tue, 01 Jul 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Child Relief and You works with NEWS to set up a hostel for gypsy children, so their education does not become hostage to their parents' migrations.

The movement for inclusive education

Binu S Thomas — Tue, 01 Apr 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Callous school managements and over-anxious parents of abled children are barring 90% of India's 40 million disabled children from entering the nation's classrooms says Gaver Chatterjee.

Our own schools

Mohua Chatterjee — Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 +0000

With help from formal learning centres, CRY, and the Dalit and Adivasi Liberation Trust, Orissa's forgotten villages work to control their own destinies.

Rising Stress on Liberal Arts Education

Binu S Thomas — Sat, 01 Feb 2003 00:00:00 +0000

A belief that revival of liberal arts education with its humanist traditions is the panacea to the rising tide of right-wing extremism is gaining ground, reports Binu S. Thomas.

A balwadi in every village

Rasika Dhavse — Sat, 01 Feb 2003 00:00:00 +0000

An India Together interview with Nirmalatai Purandare, of the Vanasthali Rural Development Centre.

Restored from the ruins

Sayli Udas — Sat, 01 Feb 2003 00:00:00 +0000

A South Marathwada village reconstructs itself after the devastating earthquake, with help from Jnana Prabodhini. Sayli Udas reports.

Rural development through education

Rasika Dhavse — Wed, 01 Jan 2003 00:00:00 +0000

Dr. S S Kalbag has devoted 20 years of his life to educating the rural youngster, and found an enriching life for himself too in the process.