Articles by Niraj Pandit
State comes up with three-step formula to act against colleges failing to get NAAC mandate
The Higher and Technical Education department in Maharashtra is urging colleges to complete the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading as part of the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Institutions that do not comply may face action from the department. The government is keen on maintaining the quality of education and ensuring that colleges have NAAC accreditation. Currently, out of a total of 2,141 non-aided colleges in Maharashtra, only 257 have NAAC accreditation.
Updated on Sep 11, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Online and offline classes for non-literates across the state starting today
The state government of Mumbai will start online and offline classes for non-literates aged 15 and above under the 'New India Literacy Programme'. Teachers have boycotted the initiative due to additional work pressure. The government aims to provide education to approximately 12,40,000 non-literate individuals over the next five years. Talks are underway with teacher's organizations to call off the boycott.
Updated on Sep 08, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Rani Baug Govindas celebrate 100 years of breaking Dahi Handis
Residents of Sankalp Siddhi Tower in Mumbai broke 100 Dahi Handis to celebrate 100 years of the festive tradition. The families have been participating in the Dahi Handi festival for generations, with children starting on top of the pyramid and growing to become the base. The celebration focuses on community building and cultural significance rather than competition. Some residents who have moved away still return for the event, and although they miss the days of celebrating in the chawl, they hope the tradition continues for many more years.
Updated on Sep 08, 2023 12:37 AM IST
State to set up a mango board in Konkan
The Maharashtra state government has decided to establish a mango board in the Konkan region to support large-scale Hapus cultivation. The board will provide support in areas such as insurance, production enhancement, pest control, and research. Mango farmers have been demanding the establishment of a board for almost a decade.
Updated on Sep 07, 2023 12:40 AM IST
Niraj Pandit, Mumbai
Special education teachers go on hunger strike demanding permanent appointments
Special education teachers in Mumbai are on an indefinite hunger strike, demanding permanent appointments and better working conditions. Since 2012, around 1,775 teachers have been appointed on contract in Maharashtra, but have not received a salary increase in seven years. The teachers are calling for the government to follow the stipulated student-teacher ratio and appoint more teachers for children with special needs. A teacher forum had previously filed a PIL in the Supreme Court, resulting in several states appointing these teachers on a permanent basis. Maharashtra, however, has not taken similar action.
Updated on Sep 06, 2023 12:50 AM IST
State appoints panel to review burden of non-educational work on teachers
Around 60,000 teachers in government schools in Maharashtra went on mass leave on Teachers' Day to protest against non-educational work burdens. The state government has appointed a committee to review this issue. As a result, 5,500 schools were closed for the day.
Updated on Sep 06, 2023 12:45 AM IST
Govt grants chancellor authority to take suo motu action against VCs
The state government of Mumbai has published guidelines allowing the chancellor to take action against vice-chancellors of state universities. Critics argue that the move degrades the position. The guidelines state that the chancellor can take action if there is a prima facie case for removal. The preliminary inquiry will be conducted by the deputy secretary to the government, and a detailed inquiry will be conducted by a committee appointed under a retired district judge. Critics argue that the guidelines are unclear and could lead to misuse of power. They also argue that the management council should conduct the preliminary inquiry and that both inquiries should be chaired by a retired high court judge.
Updated on Sep 05, 2023 12:28 AM IST
State pressuring school principals to manipulate education data, allege principals and teachers
Group education officers in the Indian state of Maharashtra are reportedly instructing school principals to provide false information on the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) data. The officers are allegedly asking principals to mark 'Yes' in all columns of the data, regardless of accuracy. Some principals have refused to comply, expressing concern about the transparency and accuracy of educational statistics. This is not the first time government officials have requested schools to submit favorable reports.
Updated on Sep 01, 2023 12:46 AM IST
TISS prof who mentored 350+ startups honoured
Over the last two decades, Majumdar 63, has played an important role in the development of entrepreneurship, especially in the social sector. Along with his team, he has mentored more than 350 startups, including 40 in Jammu and Kashmir and group startups in Jhabua, West Bengal
Updated on Aug 31, 2023 12:57 AM IST
State Talathi exam candidates denied entry at Powai exam centre
The candidates had been instructed to arrive at 8 am at the Powai IT Park exam centre in Mumbai, with the Session 1 paper scheduled for 9 am. However, upon reaching the centre, they were confronted with the unsettling situation of the main entrance being shut before they could go in
Updated on Aug 29, 2023 12:39 AM IST
Tech-savvy Mrunal Ganjale wins National Teachers Award; only one from state
Ganjale has been working as a teacher for the last 14 years. She was appointed to Pimpalgaon Zilla Parishad School in 2018. She then started using technology, such as virtual field visits, websites etc., in the classroom, which encourages students to be more attentive.
Updated on Aug 28, 2023 12:47 AM IST
Vikhroli school withholds Class 10 results over non-payment of fees
A school in Mumbai withheld a student's Class 10 marksheet for two years due to non-payment of fees. The student's family is seeking assistance from social workers and has filed a complaint with the education department. The school claims to offer installment facilities for fee payment.
Updated on Aug 26, 2023 12:39 AM IST
Over 3L teachers to go on leave on Sept 5
They are equally exasperated by the various mobile applications they are instructed to download to carry out other clerical tasks. “I have at least 18 apps on which I have to submit daily and weekly data, instructed by the group education officer,” said a teacher from Thane district
Updated on Aug 25, 2023 05:24 PM IST
‘Solar Gandhi’ felicitated at IIT-B on completing 1,000 days of Energy Swaraj Yatra
On Tuesday, at an event at IIT-Bombay called ‘1,000 Days, 1,000 Hopes’, Solanki was felicitated by the institute for hitting the 1,000-day milestone of the Energy Swaraj Yatra, which is slated to end in 2030. A professor at the department of energy science and engineering at IIT-B, he has been granted leave by the institute for 11 years for the vital work that he is doing
Updated on Aug 23, 2023 12:42 AM IST
MU finance officer resigns
The finance officer of the University of Mumbai has resigned due to the unavailability of funds to pay arrears to non-teaching staff. The university is facing a financial crunch and has been unable to pay the arrears. The finance officer had struggled to get financial aid from the government, leading to his resignation.
Updated on Aug 22, 2023 12:25 AM IST
Association urges governor to hold fresh senate poll for teachers’ group
Teachers' union urges Governor Ramesh Bais to nullify and redo a July election at the University of Mumbai due to errors in the electoral roll.
Updated on Aug 22, 2023 12:16 AM IST
Niraj Pandit, Mumbai
MU halts senate poll at eleventh hour, Oppn says ruling parties smelt defeat
The University of Mumbai has halted the senate election of a registered graduate group due to errors in the voters list, sparking outrage among student political parties. The decision was based on allegations made by BJP leader Ashish Shelar. The university has yet to announce a new date for the election.
Updated on Aug 19, 2023 12:51 AM IST
14 students score zero marks in BA semester 5 exam
Fourteen students from the University of Mumbai's Institute of Distance and Open Studies were marked zero in a subject, leaving them unable to pursue postgraduate degrees. The university is investigating the matter.
Updated on Aug 18, 2023 12:45 AM IST
Wrongfully failed class 12 student stands her ground to get revised pass result
A class 12 student in Mumbai, initially declared failed, went through a lengthy process and filed an RTI application to obtain a revised passing result.
Updated on Aug 16, 2023 12:33 AM IST
Third-year B.Sc students unable to enrol in colleges affiliated with MU
Over 50,000 third-year computer science students in colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai have been unable to enrol due to outdated course subjects on the university's admission portal. The new curriculum, which includes subjects such as artificial intelligence and cyber forensics, was introduced in July but has not been updated on the portal. The last date for enrolment is August 31. The university claims the syllabus has already been revised and uploaded to the portal.
Updated on Aug 16, 2023 12:19 AM IST
Awaiting hostel opening, international students forced to pay hefty rent
Awaiting the opening of the new hostel at Mumbai University’s (MU) Kalina campus, over 100 international students are forced to shell out more than ₹30,000 per month on house rent. The hostel for international students was inaugurated in July 2022, however, it lies unused on account of unfinished interior work
Updated on Aug 12, 2023 12:50 AM IST
Soon, a new board will replace NAAC for giving accreditation to medical colleges
The National Medical Commission (NMC) in India is introducing a new framework to change the accreditation process for medical colleges in Maharashtra. The current system, run by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), is deemed insufficient for assessing medical institutions. The NMC plans to establish the National Board of Accreditation for Medical Sciences to ensure a standardized process for all medical colleges across the country. The new accreditation system will focus on 11 parameters, including surgeries and infrastructure. This change aims to address concerns about colleges attracting students without meeting medical science requirements.
Updated on Aug 10, 2023 01:05 AM IST
IIM-Mumbai to offer three MBA courses from 2024, likely to increase fees
The National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) in Mumbai will be renamed as the Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai (IIM Mumbai) and will offer MBA programs from 2024. The institute aims to become one of the top three management institutes in India and plans to partner with other institutes for better quality education. The fee structure is expected to increase, but efforts will be made to keep it as low as possible and provide financial support to students. Gaining IIM recognition is seen as a source of pride and will strengthen the institution's commitment to academic excellence.
Updated on Aug 10, 2023 12:49 AM IST
Thane college fined ₹1.1 lakh for delaying marksheets by three years
The University of Mumbai has fined the Institute of Management and Computer Studies ₹1.1 lakh for administrative mismanagement that caused two students to wait three years for their graduation marksheets. The university discovered infractions committed by the college, and the fine has been paid. The students are now hoping to receive their marksheets soon.
Updated on Aug 09, 2023 12:39 AM IST
Vasai college students await results even 25 days after MU’s declaration
Thirty-eight students from a Vasai-based college are still awaiting results for one subject, despite the University of Mumbai declaring results 25 days ago. The students are approaching the deadline to apply for postgraduate courses. The university claims it has not received the answer sheets, while the examination center insists they have already been submitted. The university says it is possible the answer sheets were not scanned due to errors and will manually find them if provided with the students' attendance sheet.
Updated on Aug 08, 2023 12:17 AM IST
Niraj Pandit, Mumbai
Colourful walls bring learning English closer to every home in this remote village
In rural areas, access to quality education is often an arduous journey fraught with challenges. However, in Zugarewadi, Ravi Kajale, a Zilla Parishad School teacher, spearheaded a mission to bring English language learning to every corner of the village
Updated on Aug 06, 2023 12:46 AM IST
1,000 seats in medical UG courses were not allotted
The state CET cell in Mumbai released its round one selection list for the undergraduate medical course, but almost 1,000 seats were missing. These seats were initially included in the seat matrix but were excluded due to a lack of approval from the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. Students and parents are demanding that the round be declared invalid and that the seats be included in future rounds. The CET cell has stated that the seats will be considered in subsequent rounds once the necessary permissions are received.
Updated on Aug 05, 2023 12:32 AM IST
‘Wilderness poet’ and lyricist takes his final bow
Renowned Marathi poet and lyricist Namdeo Dhondo Mahanor, known as Na Dho Mahanor, has died at the age of 81. Mahanor, who was dedicated to progressive farming and drew inspiration from nature, was known for his poems and songs that touched the hearts of Marathi people. He penned lyrics for several Marathi films and his work was often sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Mahanor's last rites will be performed in his hometown of Palaskhed village.
Updated on Aug 04, 2023 12:18 AM IST
Mumbai college restricts entry to students wearing burqas, sparks row
The college said a uniform would promote equality among students irrespective of their financial condition, caste, religion or social status.
Updated on Aug 03, 2023 01:04 AM IST
Students complain about food discrimination at IIT-B
A few students had put up posters proclaiming “Vegetarian only are allowed to sit here” on the canteen walls and they would even force those who prefer non-vegetarian food to vacate the place, the representative said
Updated on Jul 30, 2023 12:45 AM IST
Niraj Pandit, Mumbai