News / Author / Kainat Sarfaraz

Kainat Sarfaraz

Kainat Sarfaraz covers education for Hindustan Times in Delhi. She also takes keen interest in reading and writing on the intersections of gender and other identities.

Articles by Kainat Sarfaraz

Delhi’s Miranda House to start training course for aspiring women politicians

While Miranda House will work on the curriculum, She Leads, a week-long virtual leadership training programme designed to support aspiring women political leaders, will work as resource partner of the college

cities

Published on Mar 05, 2021 11:21 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz

School files complaint against parent for ‘forging’ Covid-19 report

The parent of the student, however, have strongly denied the allegations levied by the school.

Parents have been protesting outside different schools throughout the week after reports surfaced of school-going children testing positive for Covid-19 in Delhi and nearby areas.(AP | Representational image)

cities

Updated on Mar 05, 2021 04:48 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

Covid-19 cases reported among students, parents urge schools to hold online exams

In light of Covid-19 cases being reported among school-going children, school administrators are taking extra precautions to ensure student safety as parents are now apprehensive about sending children to school

cities

Published on Mar 03, 2021 11:42 PM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

How riots — and the pandemic— tore apart the lives of children of north-east Delhi

Mohammad Kaif was preparing for his CBSE class 12 exams last February when communal riots broke out in north-east Delhi, where he lives with his family

cities

Published on Feb 23, 2021 11:44 PM IST

ByFareeha Iftikhar & Kainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

How riots and the pandemic tore apart the lives of children of north-east Delhi

As many as 53 people were killed and more than 400 injured in the riots that broke out in parts of north-east Delhi on February 23, 2020.

A man stands near burnt motorcycles in a riot-affected area, at Shiv Vihar, in New Delhi on March 2, 2020. (HT archive)

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Updated on Feb 24, 2021 10:47 AM IST

ByFareeha Iftikhar & Kainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

Delhi education department official’s ‘advice’ kicks off a row

The official, Udit Prakash Rai, also appeared to say in the video that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would give marks even if the students simply copied the questions down instead of attempting to answer them.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi has been focusing on school education ever since they came to power in 2015.(Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

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Published on Feb 19, 2021 04:08 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

Focus on social and learning skills, say experts on restarting classes for kids

Parents of children in entry-level classes are worried that their wards may not be able to catch up with regular classes easily as the first year of their learning was completely online.

Experts believe that the challenge before schools would be on easing the anxieties of both parents and children.

education

Published on Feb 16, 2021 01:39 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Delhi govt schools to focus on weak Class 10, 12 students

Last year following the Covid-19 lockdown, the Delhi government had devised a one-time revised promotion policy for students of class 9 and 11 where students were promoted using grace marks and assignments.

In May last year, HT had reported that the pass percentage in class 9 had gone up from 58.6% in the previous academic session to 64.5%. For class 11, this number went from 84.8% to 96.2%.(Sanchit Khanna/HT file)

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Published on Feb 15, 2021 03:36 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz

Despite clearing NEET, why government school students set to reappear for test again

New Delhi: Even though 569 students from Delhi government schools cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) last year, data compiled by the government shows that only around 10% scored the cut-off necessary for admission to government medical colleges

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Published on Feb 14, 2021 11:34 PM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz

Schools focused on learning story

New Delhi: With less than three months to go for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board examination for students of classes 10 and 12, teachers and principals of Delhi government schools are concerned about low-scoring children who were promoted from classes 9 and 11 as per a revised assessment policy involving scores based on assignment and grace marks

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Published on Feb 12, 2021 11:27 PM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz

'Andolan gave India freedom': Farm leaders slam PM Modi’s speech in Rajya Sabha

Farmer leaders condemned Modi’s statements, calling it an “insult of farmers”, and said they are ready for fresh talks, but with the condition that the “prime minister holds the meeting with the farmers”.

Farmers participate in a demonstration against recent agricultural reforms at a highway in Ghazipur on the outskirts of New Delhi, India,(Bloomberg)

india news

Updated on Feb 09, 2021 02:56 PM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, karn pratap singh, New Delhi

Andolan gave India freedom: Farm leaders slam PM’s speech

New Delhi: Protesters camped at the Capital’s borders against three new farm laws reiterated their demand that Minimum Support Prices (MSP) be legally guaranteed, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the Rajya Sabha sought to assure farmers that the procurement regime would continue to exist, and urged them to call off their agitation and continue discussions

cities

Published on Feb 08, 2021 11:51 PM IST

ByKarn Pratap Singh and Kainat Sarfaraz

Students left behind in wake of Covid, teachers rush to address learning gaps

The government has over the past few weeks reopened schools for classes 9 to 12 for the first time since classes moved online in March last year.

While several schools have started online classes, there have been connectivity concerns, and concerns over the amount of additional screen time children will end up being exposed to.(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

education

Updated on Feb 09, 2021 02:47 PM IST

ByFareeha Iftikhar, Kainat Sarfaraz, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

How farmers at Delhi borders worked their way around internet shutdowns

Internet services at Delhi’s borders were suspended following the violence that ensued during the tractor parade on January 26.

Farmers during an ongoing protest against the new farm laws, at the Delhi-Ghazipur border in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI Photo)

india news

Updated on Feb 08, 2021 04:38 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

No net, no problem: How farmers at Delhi borders worked their way around internet shutdowns

New Delhi: A day after farmers organised a nationwide “chakka jam” for three hours on national highways demanding the repeal of the three new farm laws and protesting the arrests of farmers, frequent internet shutdowns and barricading at the agitation spots, farmers at Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur said network connectivity had improved on Sunday

cities

Published on Feb 07, 2021 11:17 PM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz

Students miss classes as internet remains suspended at Delhi, Haryana borders

While senior Delhi Police officers said mobile internet facilities were suspended on the orders of the MHA, ministry officials said on Wednesday that there was no plan to further extend the suspension of internet beyond February 2.

Heavy security deployment at Tikri border during farmer's protest against the new farm laws, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (PTI)

cities

Updated on Feb 05, 2021 12:03 PM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, Anvit Srivastava, New Delhi

Protest, blockades: Locals have to take long way home

The dirt track, which widens to up to five-foot as one moves closer to the Singhu border protest site, is one of the two routes that locals have been using for the past one week to cross the protest site.

Heavy barricading by police near the protest sites at Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri is inconveniencing the local residents, who are now taking detours to cross the intercity borders.(Reuters)

cities

Published on Feb 04, 2021 03:42 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, Soumya Pillai, New Delhi

CBSE sets ball rolling with exams schedule

According to the CBSE date sheet, Class 10 board exams will end on June 7 and Class 12 board exams on June 11. The board said authorities will have to follow guidelines against Covid-19.

Classes 10 and 12 theory examinations (for all streams) will be completed in 39 days, as compared with the 45 days planned in 2020.(Mint)

india news

Published on Feb 03, 2021 03:20 AM IST

ByFareeha Iftikhar, Kainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

Farm leaders tell protesters to ensure peace during Feb 6 ‘chakka jam’

Protesters and security volunteers have also been asked to keep a “tight vigil” to ensure that anti-social elements do not become part of the agitation on February 6 and “disrupt” the movement.

Following the Republic Day violence, farmer leaders have maintained that the incident was a government conspiracy.(Reuters)

india news

Updated on Feb 03, 2021 05:19 AM IST

ByAshish Mishra, Kainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

Iron spikes, barbed wire and concrete walls at Delhi farm protest sites

The measures were taken in the aftermath of clashes between the police and the protesters when the farmers during a tractor rally on Republic Day went beyond the routes approved by the police by breaking barriers and barricades placed on the roads.

The internet connectivity continued to be disrupted at all the three borders on Monday even as more farmers from Haryana and Punjab joined the protest.(PTI)

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Updated on Feb 02, 2021 07:26 AM IST

ByAshish Mishra, Kainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

Red Fort vandalism: Police arrest first suspect

The total number of first information reports (FIRs) pertaining to violence during the ongoing farmers’ agitation rose to 44 on Monday.

While 120 people have been arrested, two minor boys have been apprehended so far in these cases, the police said.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 02, 2021 05:04 AM IST

Bykarn pratap singh, Kainat Sarfaraz, New Delhi

Day after clashes at Delhi borders, farmers, police step up vigil

"If there is even a single stone pelted after this, volunteers of the khap panchayats will catch them and treat them appropriately,” Rakesh Tikait said on Saturday, as the crowd at Ghazipur border cheered on.

The Ghazipur protest site too has been cut off from the Delhi side, making it difficult members of the public to access the farmers.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jan 31, 2021 03:40 AM IST

Byshiv sunny, Kainat Sarfaraz, Ashish Mishra, New Delhi

Sticks, stones at Singhu as group enters site, clashes with farmers

Eyewitnesses said that the farmer was intending to drive the stone-pelting mob away, even as police said that he attacked the officer.

The stone-pelters clashed with the police, protesting farmers. (Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

cities

Published on Jan 30, 2021 05:51 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Police official stabbed at Delhi's Singhu border during farmers' protests

The station house officer (SHO) of Alipur was stabbed shortly after stone-pelting ensued between the farmers and locals in the area, who have asked the protesters to vacate the premises.

A man wields his sword against a policeman during a clash between protesting farmers and a group of people shouting anti-farmer slogans, at a site of the protest against farm laws at Singhu border near New Delhi, India January 29, 2021. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis(REUTERS)

india news

Updated on Jan 29, 2021 05:41 PM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz | Edited by Arpan Rai, New Delhi

Tense situation at protest sites, police fire tear gas shells at Singhu

Delhi Police had to fire multiple rounds of tear gas shells at Singhu border to stop the two groups from becoming more violent. At least one person and one police official was injured in the stone-pelting

Heavy deployment of police personnel at Singhu border after clashes broke out on Friday. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jan 29, 2021 02:51 PM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz and Ashish Mishra

Singhu tense amid high security, counter-protest

Around 12pm, around 50 people gathered near the KMSC stage raising slogans against the farmers and demanding that the protest at Singhu border be cleared.

A protester stands on a barricade that was put up by the police on Thursday at Singhu border.(PTI Photo)

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Updated on Jan 29, 2021 08:25 PM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Smaller crowd, masks mark Republic Day celebrations

While more than 100,000 people attended the parade during the previous years, with Covid-19 norms in place on Tuesday, the crowd was limited to 25,000.

Tableau of Ladakh during the Republic Day parade at Rajpath on Tuesday. (Ajay Aggarwal /HT PHOTO)

india news

Published on Jan 27, 2021 04:15 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

From farm to fist: Tractors as weapons in the fiercest of face-offs

The scenes of farmers charging at police with their tractors were caught on camera.

While protesters alleged that the deceased lost control of the tractor after a tear gas shell hit him, police said the incident happened when the driver hit the barricade.(Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)

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Updated on Jan 27, 2021 06:02 PM IST

Bykarn pratap singh, Kainat Sarfaraz, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Gleaming tractors add to buzz at borders

Tuesday’s event coincides with the two-month anniversary of the farmers’ agitation which began on November 26.

Farmers have taken special care to clean their tractors and put up flags and banners.(Amal KS/ Hindustan Times)

cities

Updated on Jan 26, 2021 04:49 AM IST

ByKainat Sarfaraz, Fareeha Iftikhar, karn pratap singh, New Delhi, Hindustan Times

Farmers’ rally allowed after Republic Day event ends

The Delhi Police permitted the tractor rally after the Republic Day celebrations end in the afternoon on Tuesday. The three routes are around 194km in length, of which over 100km will fall inside the national capital, said Dependra Pathak, special commissioner of police (intelligence).

While the police pegged the number of tractors at around 30,000, farm leaders said there would be about 250,000 tractors entering Delhi from the three border points.(ANI Photo)

cities

Published on Jan 25, 2021 04:30 AM IST

Byshiv sunny, Kainat Sarfaraz

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Kainat Sarfaraz

Kainat Sarfaraz covers education for Hindustan Times in Delhi. She also takes keen interest in reading and writing on the intersections of gender and other identities.

While Miranda House will work on the curriculum, She Leads, a week-long virtual leadership training programme designed to support aspiring women political leaders, will work as resource partner of the college

The parent of the student, however, have strongly denied the allegations levied by the school.

In light of Covid-19 cases being reported among school-going children, school administrators are taking extra precautions to ensure student safety as parents are now apprehensive about sending children to school

Mohammad Kaif was preparing for his CBSE class 12 exams last February when communal riots broke out in north-east Delhi, where he lives with his family

As many as 53 people were killed and more than 400 injured in the riots that broke out in parts of north-east Delhi on February 23, 2020.

The official, Udit Prakash Rai, also appeared to say in the video that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would give marks even if the students simply copied the questions down instead of attempting to answer them.

Parents of children in entry-level classes are worried that their wards may not be able to catch up with regular classes easily as the first year of their learning was completely online.

Last year following the Covid-19 lockdown, the Delhi government had devised a one-time revised promotion policy for students of class 9 and 11 where students were promoted using grace marks and assignments.

New Delhi: Even though 569 students from Delhi government schools cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) last year, data compiled by the government shows that only around 10% scored the cut-off necessary for admission to government medical colleges

Farmer leaders condemned Modi’s statements, calling it an “insult of farmers”, and said they are ready for fresh talks, but with the condition that the “prime minister holds the meeting with the farmers”.

The government has over the past few weeks reopened schools for classes 9 to 12 for the first time since classes moved online in March last year.

Internet services at Delhi’s borders were suspended following the violence that ensued during the tractor parade on January 26.

While senior Delhi Police officers said mobile internet facilities were suspended on the orders of the MHA, ministry officials said on Wednesday that there was no plan to further extend the suspension of internet beyond February 2.

The dirt track, which widens to up to five-foot as one moves closer to the Singhu border protest site, is one of the two routes that locals have been using for the past one week to cross the protest site.

According to the CBSE date sheet, Class 10 board exams will end on June 7 and Class 12 board exams on June 11. The board said authorities will have to follow guidelines against Covid-19.

Protesters and security volunteers have also been asked to keep a “tight vigil” to ensure that anti-social elements do not become part of the agitation on February 6 and “disrupt” the movement.

The measures were taken in the aftermath of clashes between the police and the protesters when the farmers during a tractor rally on Republic Day went beyond the routes approved by the police by breaking barriers and barricades placed on the roads.

The total number of first information reports (FIRs) pertaining to violence during the ongoing farmers’ agitation rose to 44 on Monday.

"If there is even a single stone pelted after this, volunteers of the khap panchayats will catch them and treat them appropriately,” Rakesh Tikait said on Saturday, as the crowd at Ghazipur border cheered on.

Eyewitnesses said that the farmer was intending to drive the stone-pelting mob away, even as police said that he attacked the officer.

The station house officer (SHO) of Alipur was stabbed shortly after stone-pelting ensued between the farmers and locals in the area, who have asked the protesters to vacate the premises.

Delhi Police had to fire multiple rounds of tear gas shells at Singhu border to stop the two groups from becoming more violent. At least one person and one police official was injured in the stone-pelting

Around 12pm, around 50 people gathered near the KMSC stage raising slogans against the farmers and demanding that the protest at Singhu border be cleared.

While more than 100,000 people attended the parade during the previous years, with Covid-19 norms in place on Tuesday, the crowd was limited to 25,000.

The scenes of farmers charging at police with their tractors were caught on camera.

Tuesday’s event coincides with the two-month anniversary of the farmers’ agitation which began on November 26.

The Delhi Police permitted the tractor rally after the Republic Day celebrations end in the afternoon on Tuesday. The three routes are around 194km in length, of which over 100km will fall inside the national capital, said Dependra Pathak, special commissioner of police (intelligence).

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