Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 30
The unearthing of the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination racket has forced a rethink on the examination system. The state higher education minister Sudarsan Roychaudhuri has decided to re-haul the JEE and has asked the board to submit a report in this regard at the earliest. The final decision however will not be taken before September.
Answering a question by SUCI MLA Deba Prasad Sarkar, the minister told the state Assembly today: “The state government is looking into the entire matter with importance. We have asked the joint entrance board to call an emergency meeting in this regard and give us a report on how the system can be further sanitised and made more effective.” He added that he had asked the board to inquire into the loopholes in the exam system.
The higher education minister however has no plans to scrap the system. “It would have been great if we could have admitted students on the basis of marks awarded in Class XII board examination. But a Supreme Court directive says that all professional courses should admit students through a common entrance test, hence we cannot do away with it,” said Roychaudhuri.
However, the government is busy searching for alternatives. “We are inviting everyone to give their suggestions in this regard and we would give due consideration to every suggestion offered,” he said. The suggestions can include how the loopholes of the present system of WBJEE can be mended and the exam be made more secure; suggestions on starting a different common entrance test altogether will also be entertained.
Every year the WBJEE board meets in September to discuss the exam already held that year and address its problems and moot proposals for a further upgrade during the next exam. “This year we would hold the meeting in early September, so that we look through all the suggestions and decide what can be done,” said Roychaudhuri.
The higher education department is not pointing fingers at WBJEE officials yet before the board submits its report. The ministry however feels that the invigilators at various exam centres were largely responsible for this goof up. The government is also seriously considering doing away with all outstation centres for conducting WBJEE and would instead ask all interested candidates from all over the country to take the exam by coming to Bengal or Agartala.
Among various other options that the state would consider includes, taking fingerprints of students appearing for the exam, as done in IITJEE. The exam model of IITJEE and other entrance exams will be considered. The government would also consider using the same photograph of the student in the admit card, attendance sheet, rank card. It would ask the college to use the same picture in the college identity card so that the candidate who is taking the exam is the person who gets admitted in the college. This would prevent dummy candidates from taking the exam on behalf of others.
A proposal on having a separate medical entrance exam board, instead of WBJEE conducting both the engineering and medical entrance exam, has also been mooted by the health department.
mou.hindustanimes@yahoo.com
Monday, July 30, 2007
Future of Calcutta Race Course in doldrums
Drimi Chaudhuri and Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 30, 2007
It might be the beginning of the end for the Calcutta Race Course. Sports and youth affairs minister Subhas Chakraborty says Asia’s oldest racing course has lost its charm and plans to move it away to make way for a state-of-the-art sports complex.
The move has alarmed both the Royal Calcutta Turf Club and environmentalists, but it is for the defence ministry to take a decision now.
The minister told the Assembly on Monday that the state government has already discussed the matter with former defence minister Pranab Mukherjee, who has forwarded it to the present minister, A. K. Anthony.
“The racecourse is over 120 years old and has lost its earlier attraction or commercial importance. We are thinking of constructing a modern complex in its place, albeit abiding by defence rules as the area is under the Union ministry’s jurisdiction. We could consider moving the racecourse away from the main city as has been done in Mumbai and Pune,” he said.
Royal Calcutta Turf Club steward Cyrus J. Madan denied racecourses in Mumbai and Pune had been shifted out of the city and that the club was not making money. “Anybody interested to know about our collections can come down to our office and check,” he said.
Racehorse owner and former secretary of the Calcutta Racehorse Owners Association, Gautam Sengupta, said the club “attracts lots of tourists and employs hundreds of people. It would be unfortunate if Chakraborty’s plans come true”.
Environment crusader Subhas Dutta said the minister “wants to turn the turf into a commercial complex like has been done with Salt Lake Stadium. It would also pollute the Victoria Memorial… we are determined to fight”. He also said that the racecourse was a heritage site and the law would restrain the government.
But Chakraborty hopes to hold a preliminary meeting with the defence ministry by September even as the defence ministry spokesperson in the city said the Eastern Command has no knowledge of the turf club closing down. Wing Commander R.K. Das said, “The MoD will take a decision about the sports complex only after it has received the proposal”. Besides, the ground has a golf course for military personnel, a VIP helipad and holds annual defence events like the derby and equestrian show. “It is unlikely that the MoD would give permission for a sports complex,” a defence source said.
drimi.chaudhuri@hindustantimes.commou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 30, 2007
It might be the beginning of the end for the Calcutta Race Course. Sports and youth affairs minister Subhas Chakraborty says Asia’s oldest racing course has lost its charm and plans to move it away to make way for a state-of-the-art sports complex.
The move has alarmed both the Royal Calcutta Turf Club and environmentalists, but it is for the defence ministry to take a decision now.
The minister told the Assembly on Monday that the state government has already discussed the matter with former defence minister Pranab Mukherjee, who has forwarded it to the present minister, A. K. Anthony.
“The racecourse is over 120 years old and has lost its earlier attraction or commercial importance. We are thinking of constructing a modern complex in its place, albeit abiding by defence rules as the area is under the Union ministry’s jurisdiction. We could consider moving the racecourse away from the main city as has been done in Mumbai and Pune,” he said.
Royal Calcutta Turf Club steward Cyrus J. Madan denied racecourses in Mumbai and Pune had been shifted out of the city and that the club was not making money. “Anybody interested to know about our collections can come down to our office and check,” he said.
Racehorse owner and former secretary of the Calcutta Racehorse Owners Association, Gautam Sengupta, said the club “attracts lots of tourists and employs hundreds of people. It would be unfortunate if Chakraborty’s plans come true”.
Environment crusader Subhas Dutta said the minister “wants to turn the turf into a commercial complex like has been done with Salt Lake Stadium. It would also pollute the Victoria Memorial… we are determined to fight”. He also said that the racecourse was a heritage site and the law would restrain the government.
But Chakraborty hopes to hold a preliminary meeting with the defence ministry by September even as the defence ministry spokesperson in the city said the Eastern Command has no knowledge of the turf club closing down. Wing Commander R.K. Das said, “The MoD will take a decision about the sports complex only after it has received the proposal”. Besides, the ground has a golf course for military personnel, a VIP helipad and holds annual defence events like the derby and equestrian show. “It is unlikely that the MoD would give permission for a sports complex,” a defence source said.
drimi.chaudhuri@hindustantimes.commou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Friday, July 27, 2007
Teachers indulge in corporal punishment
Mou Chakraborty & Sukumar Debnath
Kolkata, July 27, 2007
Corporal punishment came to the fore, as schoolteachers in separate incidents beat two students.
In the first incident on Thursday, Karnadhar Mondol, history teacher at Chetla Boys’ High School struck a student with his shoe during class when the boy was caught cheating. Class X student Joy Adak was taking his history unit test and tried peeping into another student’s copy. Warned once by the teacher, Joy tried peeing again and was caught. Karnadhar then thrashed him with a shoe in front of the class.
Back at home Joy narrated the incident to his father Rajkumar. On Friday, Adak Sr complained to the assistant headmaster Bikash Mondol. The schoolteachers admitted it was wrong to have hit the boy and Rajkumar did not lodge a police complaint.
In the other incident, a Class IX student was beaten by his teacher and had to be admitted to a nursing home. The boy’s guardian along with others attacked the school premises.
Rohit Ali, a student of Narayan Mongola Vidyaniketan High School was beaten up by Bengali teacher Subhash Gharami. In this case, Rohit had been docked for creating a nuisance at the coed school.
The boy was taken to a nursing home and mother Rabeya alleged her son had been beaten and tortured by the teacher and demanded justice. The headmaster Gobinda Chandra said, “He was slapped and not mercilessly beaten. The boy did some mischief and the teacher meted out mild punishment.”
Teachers are in fear as a group of people had come to school and threatened the headmaster and the Bengali teacher of dire consequences.
It may be noted that only two weeks ago, school education minister Partha De had urged teachers to refrain from hitting students as it discourages them from coming back to school.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
sdebnath123@gmail.com
Kolkata, July 27, 2007
Corporal punishment came to the fore, as schoolteachers in separate incidents beat two students.
In the first incident on Thursday, Karnadhar Mondol, history teacher at Chetla Boys’ High School struck a student with his shoe during class when the boy was caught cheating. Class X student Joy Adak was taking his history unit test and tried peeping into another student’s copy. Warned once by the teacher, Joy tried peeing again and was caught. Karnadhar then thrashed him with a shoe in front of the class.
Back at home Joy narrated the incident to his father Rajkumar. On Friday, Adak Sr complained to the assistant headmaster Bikash Mondol. The schoolteachers admitted it was wrong to have hit the boy and Rajkumar did not lodge a police complaint.
In the other incident, a Class IX student was beaten by his teacher and had to be admitted to a nursing home. The boy’s guardian along with others attacked the school premises.
Rohit Ali, a student of Narayan Mongola Vidyaniketan High School was beaten up by Bengali teacher Subhash Gharami. In this case, Rohit had been docked for creating a nuisance at the coed school.
The boy was taken to a nursing home and mother Rabeya alleged her son had been beaten and tortured by the teacher and demanded justice. The headmaster Gobinda Chandra said, “He was slapped and not mercilessly beaten. The boy did some mischief and the teacher meted out mild punishment.”
Teachers are in fear as a group of people had come to school and threatened the headmaster and the Bengali teacher of dire consequences.
It may be noted that only two weeks ago, school education minister Partha De had urged teachers to refrain from hitting students as it discourages them from coming back to school.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
sdebnath123@gmail.com
The WBJEE scam
Mou Chakraborty, Sujit Nath, Subhendu Maiti
Kolkata, July 27, 2007
Mihir Kumar Jha, Ayan Mukhopadhyay, Babli Kazmi, Syed Abrar, Rupa Mazumdar.
The names may not mean anything to you, but they are a bunch of intelligent men and women engaged in a very lucrative racket. The business of building futures of hundreds of mediocre undeserving students at a hefty price. They are part of a huge gang whose tentacles spread across the country and the interesting bit is that its epicentre seems to be Kolkata.
Some members of the racket have been caught in the police net and the search is on for the others. The arrests have sent shudders down the collective spine of the administration, parents and the student community posing serious questions. Questions such as: Is the doctor treating my child one of those who got into the medical colleges with the help of a dummy candidate? Is the engineer building the hi-tech bridge part of the same racket?
The game is afoot and all the answers may not be available right now. But the recent developments have made the academic fraternity sit up and try to devise a foolproof system to thwart future attempts.
The director of state medical education Joyshree Mitra Ghosh, said, “I think there should be a change in the JEE system following the recent arrests. The new system should focus on the overall development of 10+2 students, instead of putting them through the rat race of securing a berth in MBBS or engineering.”
The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) board is not only planning a separate medical entrance exam board altogether but the engineering examination is also set for an overhaul. The department of higher education has asked the WBJEE board to discuss how the examination system can be made tamperproof. “The chairman of WBJEE board N.R. Banerjea is currently in the US and is scheduled to return on July 31. Once he returns we will hold a meeting,” said Bidyut Bhattacharya, member secretary of WBJEE board.
Some “unusual events” occurred during the two-day counselling of medical aspirants at Sarat Sadan in Howrah on June 23 and 24. A senior officer of the medical education department said, “About 10 candidates failed to show valid domicile certificates during the first day of counselling. But the next day, one senior official attached to the JEE produced five domicile certificates, proving the candidates had spent a minimum 10 years in the state. The certificates had been issued by a high profile MLA in Kolkata. Interestingly, the official is not involved with the counselling of medical aspirants.”
Other discrepancies have also come to light. A senior member of the counselling team said he noticed more than 50 per cent candidates from a JEE centre in Howrah had qualified for the medical course this year. That is unusual. A teacher in a medical college said, “I am sometimes surprised to find many students having done well in the JEE looking ordinary in class. Some cannot even follow what we teach in the classroom.”
“Often I have seen average students securing a berth in both the medical and engineering courses. One theory might be that they prepared well for the exams but then the academic standard of some of them really makes us raise the question whether the system has any loopholes,” said Malini Bhagat, principal of Mahadevi Birla High School.
Whether the academic top brass succeed in their attempts to revamp the system is a different story altogether, but the saga of a corrupt system with impersonators giving a step up to future doctors and engineers has been continuing for years.
For people running dubious coaching centres, securing admission to a top college is not a problem, if the guardian is willing to shell out a few lakhs. Once the money is exchanged, the aspiring candidate, is spotted within months, rubbing shoulders with the truly brilliant ones in top medical colleges and engineering institutes.
From College Street in Kolkata to Patna’s Mahendru Ghat; Durgapur to Bangalore, the racket reaches out to all corners of the country. It is agents that are the lifelines to these dubious coaching centres. The dummy candidates have their resumes at the disposal of all these centres. Whenever there is need for one, the agents get in touch with the impersonators. Take the case of Babli Kazmi who was arrested recently. She hails from Varanasi and had flown to Kolkata to appear in the exam for Rupa Mazumdar, also from Varanasi. Consider Syed Abrar from Bangalore. An engineer by profession, he had opened an institute to coach students seeking admission to engineering colleges. He played an important role in getting dummy candidates from all over the country for exams in Bangalore. The police have unearthed “experts” who are diligent enough to in crack various all-India exams such as the ones for railways and banking.
Investigating officers say that most of the coaching centres have links with each other and maintain a list of dummy candidates. They share information and also the cut money. The deputy commissioner of the detective department, Ajoy Kumar says, “The ring is spread all over the country. Kolkata has become their focal point of interest particularly due to the comparatively lesser risk factors here. The menace was not so prominent in Kolkata till the other day.”
But who are these dummy candidates and where do they stay? How do they manage to crack the tough questions of top examinations?
The aspiring candidates have two options: Option one — He or she can directly contact these coaching centres. The other option is directly approaching the dummy candidate, which is difficult and risky.
The first option is infinitely more suitable because the coaching centres efficiently organise everything from procuring the dummy candidate to tampering with the admit cards. The price is high though, ranging from Rs 5 to 8 lakh.
The identity of the dummy is never revealed. When the deal is finalised the coaching centres start their individual inquiry into the candidate’s antecedents to rule out any police crackdown. Once the centre has done the checks, the candidate is asked to deposit 75 to 85 per cent of money. The remaining amount has to be paid after clearing the examination. After the payment is made candidates are asked to deposit their academic certificates to the centre to prevent non-payment of the balance payment.
The next step for the aspirant is to deposit the exam admit card with the centre. There the photographed is tampered with and the suitable dummy examinee is found. With a nationwide network, dummies are flown in from different cities, depending on their similarity in looks with that of the candidate. The coaching centre provides for travel and other expenses of the dummy candidate. With the job complete, the dummy gets cut money varying from Rs 60,000 to Rs one lakh depending on the profile of the examination. Investigators say that there have been cases where a group of such candidates have sat in a single room. Generally, this happens in the case of high-profile examinations.
Though the racket that has been busted concentrated on the medical exams, teachers in engineering colleges feel a similar racket might be working for the engineering exams also. “Just because no one has been caught yet, does not mean there is no such engineering racket. There are other all-India entrance exams such as CAT and IITJEE that take place with minimum fuss. If there is a loophole in our system, we can adopt their model,” said a professor of Jadavpur University’s engineering department.
Many in the academic circles also do not rule out leaking of JEE question papers. Many of the impersonators are previous pass-outs. But, the WBJEE revamped its syllabus last year after West Bengal Board of Higher Secondary Education updated its syllabus. The question being raised is how are these former students so comfortable with the new syllabus. “The only way it can occur is if the question paper is leaked or there is someone who informs the racket about the questions,” said a principal of a private engineering college.
letters.hindustantimes.com
Kolkata, July 27, 2007
Mihir Kumar Jha, Ayan Mukhopadhyay, Babli Kazmi, Syed Abrar, Rupa Mazumdar.
The names may not mean anything to you, but they are a bunch of intelligent men and women engaged in a very lucrative racket. The business of building futures of hundreds of mediocre undeserving students at a hefty price. They are part of a huge gang whose tentacles spread across the country and the interesting bit is that its epicentre seems to be Kolkata.
Some members of the racket have been caught in the police net and the search is on for the others. The arrests have sent shudders down the collective spine of the administration, parents and the student community posing serious questions. Questions such as: Is the doctor treating my child one of those who got into the medical colleges with the help of a dummy candidate? Is the engineer building the hi-tech bridge part of the same racket?
The game is afoot and all the answers may not be available right now. But the recent developments have made the academic fraternity sit up and try to devise a foolproof system to thwart future attempts.
The director of state medical education Joyshree Mitra Ghosh, said, “I think there should be a change in the JEE system following the recent arrests. The new system should focus on the overall development of 10+2 students, instead of putting them through the rat race of securing a berth in MBBS or engineering.”
The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) board is not only planning a separate medical entrance exam board altogether but the engineering examination is also set for an overhaul. The department of higher education has asked the WBJEE board to discuss how the examination system can be made tamperproof. “The chairman of WBJEE board N.R. Banerjea is currently in the US and is scheduled to return on July 31. Once he returns we will hold a meeting,” said Bidyut Bhattacharya, member secretary of WBJEE board.
Some “unusual events” occurred during the two-day counselling of medical aspirants at Sarat Sadan in Howrah on June 23 and 24. A senior officer of the medical education department said, “About 10 candidates failed to show valid domicile certificates during the first day of counselling. But the next day, one senior official attached to the JEE produced five domicile certificates, proving the candidates had spent a minimum 10 years in the state. The certificates had been issued by a high profile MLA in Kolkata. Interestingly, the official is not involved with the counselling of medical aspirants.”
Other discrepancies have also come to light. A senior member of the counselling team said he noticed more than 50 per cent candidates from a JEE centre in Howrah had qualified for the medical course this year. That is unusual. A teacher in a medical college said, “I am sometimes surprised to find many students having done well in the JEE looking ordinary in class. Some cannot even follow what we teach in the classroom.”
“Often I have seen average students securing a berth in both the medical and engineering courses. One theory might be that they prepared well for the exams but then the academic standard of some of them really makes us raise the question whether the system has any loopholes,” said Malini Bhagat, principal of Mahadevi Birla High School.
Whether the academic top brass succeed in their attempts to revamp the system is a different story altogether, but the saga of a corrupt system with impersonators giving a step up to future doctors and engineers has been continuing for years.
For people running dubious coaching centres, securing admission to a top college is not a problem, if the guardian is willing to shell out a few lakhs. Once the money is exchanged, the aspiring candidate, is spotted within months, rubbing shoulders with the truly brilliant ones in top medical colleges and engineering institutes.
From College Street in Kolkata to Patna’s Mahendru Ghat; Durgapur to Bangalore, the racket reaches out to all corners of the country. It is agents that are the lifelines to these dubious coaching centres. The dummy candidates have their resumes at the disposal of all these centres. Whenever there is need for one, the agents get in touch with the impersonators. Take the case of Babli Kazmi who was arrested recently. She hails from Varanasi and had flown to Kolkata to appear in the exam for Rupa Mazumdar, also from Varanasi. Consider Syed Abrar from Bangalore. An engineer by profession, he had opened an institute to coach students seeking admission to engineering colleges. He played an important role in getting dummy candidates from all over the country for exams in Bangalore. The police have unearthed “experts” who are diligent enough to in crack various all-India exams such as the ones for railways and banking.
Investigating officers say that most of the coaching centres have links with each other and maintain a list of dummy candidates. They share information and also the cut money. The deputy commissioner of the detective department, Ajoy Kumar says, “The ring is spread all over the country. Kolkata has become their focal point of interest particularly due to the comparatively lesser risk factors here. The menace was not so prominent in Kolkata till the other day.”
But who are these dummy candidates and where do they stay? How do they manage to crack the tough questions of top examinations?
The aspiring candidates have two options: Option one — He or she can directly contact these coaching centres. The other option is directly approaching the dummy candidate, which is difficult and risky.
The first option is infinitely more suitable because the coaching centres efficiently organise everything from procuring the dummy candidate to tampering with the admit cards. The price is high though, ranging from Rs 5 to 8 lakh.
The identity of the dummy is never revealed. When the deal is finalised the coaching centres start their individual inquiry into the candidate’s antecedents to rule out any police crackdown. Once the centre has done the checks, the candidate is asked to deposit 75 to 85 per cent of money. The remaining amount has to be paid after clearing the examination. After the payment is made candidates are asked to deposit their academic certificates to the centre to prevent non-payment of the balance payment.
The next step for the aspirant is to deposit the exam admit card with the centre. There the photographed is tampered with and the suitable dummy examinee is found. With a nationwide network, dummies are flown in from different cities, depending on their similarity in looks with that of the candidate. The coaching centre provides for travel and other expenses of the dummy candidate. With the job complete, the dummy gets cut money varying from Rs 60,000 to Rs one lakh depending on the profile of the examination. Investigators say that there have been cases where a group of such candidates have sat in a single room. Generally, this happens in the case of high-profile examinations.
Though the racket that has been busted concentrated on the medical exams, teachers in engineering colleges feel a similar racket might be working for the engineering exams also. “Just because no one has been caught yet, does not mean there is no such engineering racket. There are other all-India entrance exams such as CAT and IITJEE that take place with minimum fuss. If there is a loophole in our system, we can adopt their model,” said a professor of Jadavpur University’s engineering department.
Many in the academic circles also do not rule out leaking of JEE question papers. Many of the impersonators are previous pass-outs. But, the WBJEE revamped its syllabus last year after West Bengal Board of Higher Secondary Education updated its syllabus. The question being raised is how are these former students so comfortable with the new syllabus. “The only way it can occur is if the question paper is leaked or there is someone who informs the racket about the questions,” said a principal of a private engineering college.
letters.hindustantimes.com
Are all competitive exams capable of tackling fake candidates?
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 27, 2007
After the state police busted the racket of fake candidates taking WBJEE medical exam questions are now being raised on how safe are other competitive exams like IITJEE, CAT, UPSC and SLET.
IITJEE is the only exam in the country, which takes the fingerprints of the aspirants, but here too often fake candidates are caught. IIT Madras had to expel a student last year because an impersonator took the exam on his behalf; IIT Kharagpur too pulled up a student in 2006 with the same allegation but could not expel him because the charges were not proved. “Ours is one of the most secure system of examination. The response sheets have the students photograph along with fingerprint. This is because if the photograph is fake we can catch the student anytime on the basis of the fingerprint,” said Prof. A. K. Ghosh, Chairman of IITJEE eastern zone.
During the exam too the students have to sign he attendance sheet and give his fingerprint beside that. “Even though the same photograph of the student is used at every stage followed by his signature and fingerprint we ask the center’s to give us the names of the students whom they feel may be imposters and later we sent their finger prints to the forensic department,” said Ghosh. At one point of time the IIT’s had to deal with students who got fake admission offer letters as a result from last year the IIT’s have been issuing offer letters and letters for counseling with water marks. But even after such measures in 2006 a student in Madras IIT was caught with fake admission offer letter.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most coveted examination for the students in the country who want to get into the IIM’s and become managers too though did not get fake candidates yet but had to deal with question paper leak in 2004. “After that incident the system of question paper setting has become unimaginably stringent. But the way WBJEE exam was taken by the fake candidates in that way any examination system could be taken for a ride,” said Prof. Ashish Bhattacharya, a member of the CAT group and chairman admissions of IIM Calcutta.
CAT has the system of photo identification in the application form this is scanned and put in the admit card as well as in the attendance sheet. But now after the burst of WBJEE racket CAT exam regulation may be reworked. “If the photograph given itself is fake like was done in WBJEE then becomes very difficult o catch a fake candidate. Hence we may ask the students to give us an attested photocopy of their voter ID card, or passports or driving license. However the final decision is yet to be taken,” said Prof. Bhattacharya.
The UPSC examination, which chooses the bureaucrats of the country as well as high-level officers in various government offices, too is not full proof. “After a candidate gets selected we cross check all the credentials given by him. Like his mark sheets are crosschecked with the relevant examination authority, his residential status too is checked and we have photo identification system to ensure that fake candidates do not take the exam. But then too we catch fake candidates at different stages of the exam,” said a high level official of Public Service Commission office in Kolkata.
The College Service Commission conducting the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) for recruiting lecturers in the state colleges too is not imposter proof. Just two weeks back the commission issued notice against two newly recruited lecturers of Rishi Bankim Chandra College, Naihati to resign because they had hidden certain facts while taking the exam, which made their candidature null and void. Next SLET exam will begin on August 19 and 11800 candidates have enrolled for the exam, the commission this time will be extra precautious. “Apart from picture in the admit card we largely depend on allying the handwriting of the candidate to ensure no fake candidates take the exam. Though no system is full proof but even if some one manages to get through wrongly we point them out,” said Himangshu Ghosh, Chairman of the Commission. mou.hindustanimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 27, 2007
After the state police busted the racket of fake candidates taking WBJEE medical exam questions are now being raised on how safe are other competitive exams like IITJEE, CAT, UPSC and SLET.
IITJEE is the only exam in the country, which takes the fingerprints of the aspirants, but here too often fake candidates are caught. IIT Madras had to expel a student last year because an impersonator took the exam on his behalf; IIT Kharagpur too pulled up a student in 2006 with the same allegation but could not expel him because the charges were not proved. “Ours is one of the most secure system of examination. The response sheets have the students photograph along with fingerprint. This is because if the photograph is fake we can catch the student anytime on the basis of the fingerprint,” said Prof. A. K. Ghosh, Chairman of IITJEE eastern zone.
During the exam too the students have to sign he attendance sheet and give his fingerprint beside that. “Even though the same photograph of the student is used at every stage followed by his signature and fingerprint we ask the center’s to give us the names of the students whom they feel may be imposters and later we sent their finger prints to the forensic department,” said Ghosh. At one point of time the IIT’s had to deal with students who got fake admission offer letters as a result from last year the IIT’s have been issuing offer letters and letters for counseling with water marks. But even after such measures in 2006 a student in Madras IIT was caught with fake admission offer letter.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the most coveted examination for the students in the country who want to get into the IIM’s and become managers too though did not get fake candidates yet but had to deal with question paper leak in 2004. “After that incident the system of question paper setting has become unimaginably stringent. But the way WBJEE exam was taken by the fake candidates in that way any examination system could be taken for a ride,” said Prof. Ashish Bhattacharya, a member of the CAT group and chairman admissions of IIM Calcutta.
CAT has the system of photo identification in the application form this is scanned and put in the admit card as well as in the attendance sheet. But now after the burst of WBJEE racket CAT exam regulation may be reworked. “If the photograph given itself is fake like was done in WBJEE then becomes very difficult o catch a fake candidate. Hence we may ask the students to give us an attested photocopy of their voter ID card, or passports or driving license. However the final decision is yet to be taken,” said Prof. Bhattacharya.
The UPSC examination, which chooses the bureaucrats of the country as well as high-level officers in various government offices, too is not full proof. “After a candidate gets selected we cross check all the credentials given by him. Like his mark sheets are crosschecked with the relevant examination authority, his residential status too is checked and we have photo identification system to ensure that fake candidates do not take the exam. But then too we catch fake candidates at different stages of the exam,” said a high level official of Public Service Commission office in Kolkata.
The College Service Commission conducting the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) for recruiting lecturers in the state colleges too is not imposter proof. Just two weeks back the commission issued notice against two newly recruited lecturers of Rishi Bankim Chandra College, Naihati to resign because they had hidden certain facts while taking the exam, which made their candidature null and void. Next SLET exam will begin on August 19 and 11800 candidates have enrolled for the exam, the commission this time will be extra precautious. “Apart from picture in the admit card we largely depend on allying the handwriting of the candidate to ensure no fake candidates take the exam. Though no system is full proof but even if some one manages to get through wrongly we point them out,” said Himangshu Ghosh, Chairman of the Commission. mou.hindustanimes@yahoo.com
Thursday, July 26, 2007
CU show causes its teacher guilty of marking mess
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 26, 2007
THE CALCUTTA University (CU) will punish examiners responsible for the marking mess in Part II marksheets of 47 Biharilal College students.
Due to marking error, 32 students of the college’s food and nutrition department got between 93 and 97 in the sixth paper of food and nutrition, while 15 students scored between 10 and 12. The flaw was detected after the marksheets were distributed on July 24. Realising the mistake, the university issued corrected marksheets.
Taking serious note of the negligence that caused the mistake, the university on Thursday decided to discuss the matter at the next under-graduate council meeting. “The teachers involved in the incident will be punished. We will first have to discuss and see how the whole thing occurred,” said Suranjan Das, pro vice-chancellor (academic) of CU.
The university has also decided to pull up invigilators of the New Alipore College, where the 47 students of the Biharilal College took their exam.
“The sixth paper of food and nutrition had two 50 marks units. It was the duty of the invigilators to give two separate answer sheets for both the units. Had that been done, the episode could have been avoided,” said Debashish Biswas, deputy controller of exam of the CU.
The error took place when the answer scripts went to the second examiner for correction. The first examiner had already checked the 50 marks unit and submitted the marks to the university. But since both the units were written in one answer script, the second examiner after checking unit two submitted both the marks together instead of submitting marks for the part he had checked. Due to this, the total marks for some crossed 100. When the marks were fed into the computer, the programme dropped a digit.
Though the university wants to take strict action in the case, ground realities tell that it can do precious little. The best that CU can do is to show-cause the erring examiner.
This is because the second unit examiner is not a full-time teacher. “Food and nutrition is a multidisciplinary subject and since we have just started honours in it we do not have adequate teachers. As a result, the university has engaged guest lecturers to teach as well as evaluate the answer scripts,” said a senior university official.
“The teacher was recommended by the Board of Studies for checking the answer scripts. As he is not a full timer, the university will have to remain satisfied by issuing a show-cause letter to him,” he added.
The university, however, on Thursday offered all the 47 students to see their answer scripts, if they wished to do so.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 26, 2007
THE CALCUTTA University (CU) will punish examiners responsible for the marking mess in Part II marksheets of 47 Biharilal College students.
Due to marking error, 32 students of the college’s food and nutrition department got between 93 and 97 in the sixth paper of food and nutrition, while 15 students scored between 10 and 12. The flaw was detected after the marksheets were distributed on July 24. Realising the mistake, the university issued corrected marksheets.
Taking serious note of the negligence that caused the mistake, the university on Thursday decided to discuss the matter at the next under-graduate council meeting. “The teachers involved in the incident will be punished. We will first have to discuss and see how the whole thing occurred,” said Suranjan Das, pro vice-chancellor (academic) of CU.
The university has also decided to pull up invigilators of the New Alipore College, where the 47 students of the Biharilal College took their exam.
“The sixth paper of food and nutrition had two 50 marks units. It was the duty of the invigilators to give two separate answer sheets for both the units. Had that been done, the episode could have been avoided,” said Debashish Biswas, deputy controller of exam of the CU.
The error took place when the answer scripts went to the second examiner for correction. The first examiner had already checked the 50 marks unit and submitted the marks to the university. But since both the units were written in one answer script, the second examiner after checking unit two submitted both the marks together instead of submitting marks for the part he had checked. Due to this, the total marks for some crossed 100. When the marks were fed into the computer, the programme dropped a digit.
Though the university wants to take strict action in the case, ground realities tell that it can do precious little. The best that CU can do is to show-cause the erring examiner.
This is because the second unit examiner is not a full-time teacher. “Food and nutrition is a multidisciplinary subject and since we have just started honours in it we do not have adequate teachers. As a result, the university has engaged guest lecturers to teach as well as evaluate the answer scripts,” said a senior university official.
“The teacher was recommended by the Board of Studies for checking the answer scripts. As he is not a full timer, the university will have to remain satisfied by issuing a show-cause letter to him,” he added.
The university, however, on Thursday offered all the 47 students to see their answer scripts, if they wished to do so.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
CU publishes erroneous result
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 25, 2007
SOME STUDENTS of the University College of Home Science, popularly known as Biharilal College, had to face traumatic moments after they found that they have failed in one paper despite getting a first class in the subject. However, the Calcutta University (CU) realised the error and acted swiftly to provide fresh marksheets to the students.
Forty-seven students of the college’s food and nutrition department were shocked and dumbstruck when they received their marksheets on Tuesday. While 32 students scored an almost impossible 93-97 in the sixth paper of food and nutrition, 15 students from the same class scored between 10 and 12. Unaware of what had gone wrong, the students immediately informed the university. The officials checked at their end and spotted the mistake. Acting fast, they issued fresh marksheets within three hours.
But when the fresh marksheets came, it created more confusion. Some students who got high scores because of the error, refused to submit their marksheets. “Why should I submit it? In the new marksheet the marks might go down,” said Tulana Chakraborty, whose old marksheet show a score of 97 in paper six.
But the error left students who got low scores seething. Smita Karmakar, who was wrongly marked 12 in the same paper, said: “When in three months the university failed to produce an error-free result, how can it do justice in three hours?”
However, the college is trying to convince the students that they should collect fresh marksheets and submit the old one. “If students feel that the old markssheets can be used, they are mistaken. The university will notify that those marksheets are invalid and they cannot be used for admission anywhere,” said head of the department Minoti Sen.
The university on its part has accepted the error. “It’s an undesirable error. We have issued corrected marksheets to all the students on Wednesday,” said CU deputy controller Debashish Biswas.
Though the university has not been able to explain why the marksheets were issued without a proper check, it has blamed teachers and students for the mistake. According to officials of the controller of exam department, the sixth paper of food and nutrition had two separate units of 50 marks each.
The students were supposed to use separate answersheets for both the units. But some students answered both the units in a single answer script. This created confusion. The teacher who corrected the answer scripts compounded the problem by overlooking the error. While one submitted the marks by adding both the units, another teacher submitted marks for one unit. The meant that instead of 100 marks, the total came to 150.
“Computers do not accept three figure marks and hence when marks above 99 were keyed in, it deleted a number. So, while some got 90 plus marks, others ended up getting very low scores,” explained an official of the department. The university is now contemplating strict action against teachers who were responsible for the error.
“It is true that some of our very good students were traumatised thinking that they have failed in one paper even after getting first class. But now that the university has corrected its mistake, we have no complains,” said Sen.
Reader in the food and nutrition department Shanta Duta Dey said: “Our students are very good. Despite the goof-up, 46 of them got first class.”
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 25, 2007
SOME STUDENTS of the University College of Home Science, popularly known as Biharilal College, had to face traumatic moments after they found that they have failed in one paper despite getting a first class in the subject. However, the Calcutta University (CU) realised the error and acted swiftly to provide fresh marksheets to the students.
Forty-seven students of the college’s food and nutrition department were shocked and dumbstruck when they received their marksheets on Tuesday. While 32 students scored an almost impossible 93-97 in the sixth paper of food and nutrition, 15 students from the same class scored between 10 and 12. Unaware of what had gone wrong, the students immediately informed the university. The officials checked at their end and spotted the mistake. Acting fast, they issued fresh marksheets within three hours.
But when the fresh marksheets came, it created more confusion. Some students who got high scores because of the error, refused to submit their marksheets. “Why should I submit it? In the new marksheet the marks might go down,” said Tulana Chakraborty, whose old marksheet show a score of 97 in paper six.
But the error left students who got low scores seething. Smita Karmakar, who was wrongly marked 12 in the same paper, said: “When in three months the university failed to produce an error-free result, how can it do justice in three hours?”
However, the college is trying to convince the students that they should collect fresh marksheets and submit the old one. “If students feel that the old markssheets can be used, they are mistaken. The university will notify that those marksheets are invalid and they cannot be used for admission anywhere,” said head of the department Minoti Sen.
The university on its part has accepted the error. “It’s an undesirable error. We have issued corrected marksheets to all the students on Wednesday,” said CU deputy controller Debashish Biswas.
Though the university has not been able to explain why the marksheets were issued without a proper check, it has blamed teachers and students for the mistake. According to officials of the controller of exam department, the sixth paper of food and nutrition had two separate units of 50 marks each.
The students were supposed to use separate answersheets for both the units. But some students answered both the units in a single answer script. This created confusion. The teacher who corrected the answer scripts compounded the problem by overlooking the error. While one submitted the marks by adding both the units, another teacher submitted marks for one unit. The meant that instead of 100 marks, the total came to 150.
“Computers do not accept three figure marks and hence when marks above 99 were keyed in, it deleted a number. So, while some got 90 plus marks, others ended up getting very low scores,” explained an official of the department. The university is now contemplating strict action against teachers who were responsible for the error.
“It is true that some of our very good students were traumatised thinking that they have failed in one paper even after getting first class. But now that the university has corrected its mistake, we have no complains,” said Sen.
Reader in the food and nutrition department Shanta Duta Dey said: “Our students are very good. Despite the goof-up, 46 of them got first class.”
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Monday, July 23, 2007
Fewer first classes in Part II CU results
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 23, 2007
The Part II results of Calcutta University under the 2+1 system are out. Compared to last year, this year’s results have been mediocre with the percentage of first classes coming down drastically.
Compared to the previous year, the number of first classes in B Com has been reduced by 1,019, while it has decreased by 478 in the case of B Sc results. In the arts departments also, the number of students securing a first class in English, Bengali, Urdu, Sanskrit, philosophy, political science and geography has come down drastically.
“While the number of first classes in B Com has gone down by almost 10 per cent, it has been slashed by 5 per cent in B Sc. We are very concerned about it and in the next Under Graduate Council meeting, we would try to ascertain the reason behind the debacle and devise solutions,” said Suranjan Das, pro vice-chancellor (academic) of the university.
Talking about the particularly poor results in the B Com exams, Das said, “We have updated the syllabus and maths and computer science have been integrated into the course. But we have received complaints that many colleges have installed the computers without loading the requisite software. This might have resulted in a poor showing by students.”
Among the B Sc courses, chemistry is the worst hit, with first classes reduced by 154. The figure is not that bad among maths, physics, microbiology and statistics students. “Many good students left the course midway and joined medical, engineering and other professional courses. The ones who remained have not studied seriously, preparing for various entrance exams,” the pro VC said.
Das has primarily blamed private tuitions and question suggestions as a main reason behind the university churning out mediocre graduates. “After implementing the new syllabus we had urged students to go through the texts thoroughly. But many did not follow the model question papers and resorted to suggestions, resulting in poor marks.”
Though the number of first classes has gone down, better colleges have maintained their standard to a large extent. This has compelled the university to probe whether all institutions have proper infrastructure and teachers.
Among colleges Presidency College has the maximum number of first classes — 180 accounting for 41.96 per cent of total students — giving the exam from the college. St Xavier’s College accounted for 118 in BA and B Sc and 366 more from its B Com department, with 31 per cent of total students securing a first class. However, the figure is lower than last year in both institutions.
However many have questioned the varsity’s marking pattern. Two maths honours students from Presidency College secured admission at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore but failed to get 60 per cent in graduation, the minimum eligibility for admission in IISc. “Our students are losing out nationally and internationally and the university should review its exam system,” said a professor of the college.
The university is however standing by its marking pattern and hopes results will be better next year if students do not rely on suggestions.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 23, 2007
The Part II results of Calcutta University under the 2+1 system are out. Compared to last year, this year’s results have been mediocre with the percentage of first classes coming down drastically.
Compared to the previous year, the number of first classes in B Com has been reduced by 1,019, while it has decreased by 478 in the case of B Sc results. In the arts departments also, the number of students securing a first class in English, Bengali, Urdu, Sanskrit, philosophy, political science and geography has come down drastically.
“While the number of first classes in B Com has gone down by almost 10 per cent, it has been slashed by 5 per cent in B Sc. We are very concerned about it and in the next Under Graduate Council meeting, we would try to ascertain the reason behind the debacle and devise solutions,” said Suranjan Das, pro vice-chancellor (academic) of the university.
Talking about the particularly poor results in the B Com exams, Das said, “We have updated the syllabus and maths and computer science have been integrated into the course. But we have received complaints that many colleges have installed the computers without loading the requisite software. This might have resulted in a poor showing by students.”
Among the B Sc courses, chemistry is the worst hit, with first classes reduced by 154. The figure is not that bad among maths, physics, microbiology and statistics students. “Many good students left the course midway and joined medical, engineering and other professional courses. The ones who remained have not studied seriously, preparing for various entrance exams,” the pro VC said.
Das has primarily blamed private tuitions and question suggestions as a main reason behind the university churning out mediocre graduates. “After implementing the new syllabus we had urged students to go through the texts thoroughly. But many did not follow the model question papers and resorted to suggestions, resulting in poor marks.”
Though the number of first classes has gone down, better colleges have maintained their standard to a large extent. This has compelled the university to probe whether all institutions have proper infrastructure and teachers.
Among colleges Presidency College has the maximum number of first classes — 180 accounting for 41.96 per cent of total students — giving the exam from the college. St Xavier’s College accounted for 118 in BA and B Sc and 366 more from its B Com department, with 31 per cent of total students securing a first class. However, the figure is lower than last year in both institutions.
However many have questioned the varsity’s marking pattern. Two maths honours students from Presidency College secured admission at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore but failed to get 60 per cent in graduation, the minimum eligibility for admission in IISc. “Our students are losing out nationally and internationally and the university should review its exam system,” said a professor of the college.
The university is however standing by its marking pattern and hopes results will be better next year if students do not rely on suggestions.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Business etiquette to cut the ice and bring dividends
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 22, 2007
Did you know that you might upset your German business partner if sent a bouquet? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or in this case as the Germans do.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Kolkata will soon teach aspects of business etiquette, spoken and written language used during business transactions. The students will comprise exporters and business executives who deal with businesses in various countries.
The institute will offer a ‘Certificate in Business Language Program’ in French, German, Spanish and Chinese and will slowly extend it to other foreign languages. “Every country has its own business etiquette and style that is unique to them and might not be followed by them in their day-to-day life. Certain behaviour regarded as ‘normal’ in Indian business circles might offend a Frenchman and the Indian businessman might have to suffer as a consequence,” said K Rangarajan, director of IIFT, Kolkata.
“The same applies to the spoken language. Our aim is to teach participants basic verbal and written communication needs to do business in various countries,” he added.
Each language program will be of three months duration and will provide information about the culture of the country, their etiquette, dos and don’ts, their behavioural patterns, lifestyle, ways of addressing various business situations and modes of business communication. The participants will also learn the basic spoken language. “Since are basic aim is not fluency in the language, the 3-month programme will be enough,” informed the director.
While the Chinese mean business, the French and the English are polite to a fault and follow certain etiquette. The Spaniards are very outgoing, while the Germans on the hand prefer people using sharp and crisp language while doing business. These and many other behavioural aspects of various nationalities have been documented by IIFT and will be taught to participants of this program.
IIFT will also be tying up with one of the export promotion councils to offer the program. Apart from getting language experts, it is also planning to collaborate with various consulates. The consulates will not only help the participants with language skills but will also offer them a glimpse of the culture of the country and its business etiquette.
Elaborating on the motive behind such a move, Rangarajan said, “Often businessmen suffer losses for reasons beyond his/her control. This might be due to language or cultural barriers. With increased flow of business with overseas partners, it is imperative to break down these impediments.”
The course will be launched by September and IIFT is talking to the ministry of commerce and industries for funding, to keep course fees as low as possible. Initially, there will be 30 to 40 seats on offer for each language.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 22, 2007
Did you know that you might upset your German business partner if sent a bouquet? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or in this case as the Germans do.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Kolkata will soon teach aspects of business etiquette, spoken and written language used during business transactions. The students will comprise exporters and business executives who deal with businesses in various countries.
The institute will offer a ‘Certificate in Business Language Program’ in French, German, Spanish and Chinese and will slowly extend it to other foreign languages. “Every country has its own business etiquette and style that is unique to them and might not be followed by them in their day-to-day life. Certain behaviour regarded as ‘normal’ in Indian business circles might offend a Frenchman and the Indian businessman might have to suffer as a consequence,” said K Rangarajan, director of IIFT, Kolkata.
“The same applies to the spoken language. Our aim is to teach participants basic verbal and written communication needs to do business in various countries,” he added.
Each language program will be of three months duration and will provide information about the culture of the country, their etiquette, dos and don’ts, their behavioural patterns, lifestyle, ways of addressing various business situations and modes of business communication. The participants will also learn the basic spoken language. “Since are basic aim is not fluency in the language, the 3-month programme will be enough,” informed the director.
While the Chinese mean business, the French and the English are polite to a fault and follow certain etiquette. The Spaniards are very outgoing, while the Germans on the hand prefer people using sharp and crisp language while doing business. These and many other behavioural aspects of various nationalities have been documented by IIFT and will be taught to participants of this program.
IIFT will also be tying up with one of the export promotion councils to offer the program. Apart from getting language experts, it is also planning to collaborate with various consulates. The consulates will not only help the participants with language skills but will also offer them a glimpse of the culture of the country and its business etiquette.
Elaborating on the motive behind such a move, Rangarajan said, “Often businessmen suffer losses for reasons beyond his/her control. This might be due to language or cultural barriers. With increased flow of business with overseas partners, it is imperative to break down these impediments.”
The course will be launched by September and IIFT is talking to the ministry of commerce and industries for funding, to keep course fees as low as possible. Initially, there will be 30 to 40 seats on offer for each language.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
State government paves the path for BESU’s upgradation
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 22, 2007
Did you know that you might upset your German business partner if sent a bouquet? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or in this case as the Germans do.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Kolkata will soon teach aspects of business etiquette, spoken and written language used during business transactions. The students will comprise exporters and business executives who deal with businesses in various countries.
The institute will offer a ‘Certificate in Business Language Program’ in French, German, Spanish and Chinese and will slowly extend it to other foreign languages. “Every country has its own business etiquette and style that is unique to them and might not be followed by them in their day-to-day life. Certain behaviour regarded as ‘normal’ in Indian business circles might offend a Frenchman and the Indian businessman might have to suffer as a consequence,” said K Rangarajan, director of IIFT, Kolkata.
“The same applies to the spoken language. Our aim is to teach participants basic verbal and written communication needs to do business in various countries,” he added.
Each language program will be of three months duration and will provide information about the culture of the country, their etiquette, dos and don’ts, their behavioural patterns, lifestyle, ways of addressing various business situations and modes of business communication. The participants will also learn the basic spoken language. “Since are basic aim is not fluency in the language, the 3-month programme will be enough,” informed the director.
While the Chinese mean business, the French and the English are polite to a fault and follow certain etiquette. The Spaniards are very outgoing, while the Germans on the hand prefer people using sharp and crisp language while doing business. These and many other behavioural aspects of various nationalities have been documented by IIFT and will be taught to participants of this program.
IIFT will also be tying up with one of the export promotion councils to offer the program. Apart from getting language experts, it is also planning to collaborate with various consulates. The consulates will not only help the participants with language skills but will also offer them a glimpse of the culture of the country and its business etiquette.
Elaborating on the motive behind such a move, Rangarajan said, “Often businessmen suffer losses for reasons beyond his/her control. This might be due to language or cultural barriers. With increased flow of business with overseas partners, it is imperative to break down these impediments.”
The course will be launched by September and IIFT is talking to the ministry of commerce and industries for funding, to keep course fees as low as possible. Initially, there will be 30 to 40 seats on offer for each language.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 22, 2007
Did you know that you might upset your German business partner if sent a bouquet? When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or in this case as the Germans do.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Kolkata will soon teach aspects of business etiquette, spoken and written language used during business transactions. The students will comprise exporters and business executives who deal with businesses in various countries.
The institute will offer a ‘Certificate in Business Language Program’ in French, German, Spanish and Chinese and will slowly extend it to other foreign languages. “Every country has its own business etiquette and style that is unique to them and might not be followed by them in their day-to-day life. Certain behaviour regarded as ‘normal’ in Indian business circles might offend a Frenchman and the Indian businessman might have to suffer as a consequence,” said K Rangarajan, director of IIFT, Kolkata.
“The same applies to the spoken language. Our aim is to teach participants basic verbal and written communication needs to do business in various countries,” he added.
Each language program will be of three months duration and will provide information about the culture of the country, their etiquette, dos and don’ts, their behavioural patterns, lifestyle, ways of addressing various business situations and modes of business communication. The participants will also learn the basic spoken language. “Since are basic aim is not fluency in the language, the 3-month programme will be enough,” informed the director.
While the Chinese mean business, the French and the English are polite to a fault and follow certain etiquette. The Spaniards are very outgoing, while the Germans on the hand prefer people using sharp and crisp language while doing business. These and many other behavioural aspects of various nationalities have been documented by IIFT and will be taught to participants of this program.
IIFT will also be tying up with one of the export promotion councils to offer the program. Apart from getting language experts, it is also planning to collaborate with various consulates. The consulates will not only help the participants with language skills but will also offer them a glimpse of the culture of the country and its business etiquette.
Elaborating on the motive behind such a move, Rangarajan said, “Often businessmen suffer losses for reasons beyond his/her control. This might be due to language or cultural barriers. With increased flow of business with overseas partners, it is imperative to break down these impediments.”
The course will be launched by September and IIFT is talking to the ministry of commerce and industries for funding, to keep course fees as low as possible. Initially, there will be 30 to 40 seats on offer for each language.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Friday, July 20, 2007
School in disrepair, girl has close shave
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 20, 2007
A Class V student had a miraculous escape in school on Thursday, when a large chunk of the roof missed her by inches. But, what was more horrifying was the humiliation that her father had to face, when he had gone to school to check for himself.
Chandrika Ghosh studying at Maharishi Vidya Mandir in Tollygunge had a close shave when a piece of concrete from the ceiling missed her by a whisker when she was walking down the corridor. A shaken Chandrika reported the matter to her father Sanjoy. He went to the school on Friday to see for himself what had happened. He was refused entry, rebuked and virtually thrown out by principal B Nag.
“Being a father, it is my right to know whether the place where my child is studying is safe. So I urged the principal to allow me to see the condition of the building where my daughter is taking her classes. But she refused and threatened to throw me outside by calling the guards,” said Sanjoy.
Angry and frustrated Sanjoy lodged an FIR with Jadavpur police station. “Without renovation and ensuring proper safety of the students how can the school authority run classes in that old building? It was just a matter of luck that she is safe,” he said.
Run by Maharishi Vidya Mandir Trust, which has over 20 schools across the country, the Tollygunge school is constructing a 5-storeyed building, which would be complete in a year. “But what happens to our children till the new building is ready? Why can’t they shift classes to some other place for the time being,” asks Sanjoy.
When we tried to contact the principal, we were refused and later in the day when HT visited the school, it was already closed. A school employee on the condition of anonymity confirmed that a large chunk had indeed fallen from the ceiling. “Since a new building is being constructed there is no point wasting money on the old one. However, necessary renovation will be done,” he said. Brigadier G.S. Sandhu, director of personal administration at the Maharishi Vidya Mandir national office in Bhopal, disowned the school. “It is true that our website shows we have a school in Kolkata, but we do not have any school in that city. We will be able to confirm its existence only after checking our records, which needs a days’ time,” he said.
“It is a good school and there are no other good schools nearby. So while I am not thinking of changing my daughter’s school, I want school authorities to undertake necessary repairs and not victimise my child because I raised my voice,” said Sanjoy.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 20, 2007
A Class V student had a miraculous escape in school on Thursday, when a large chunk of the roof missed her by inches. But, what was more horrifying was the humiliation that her father had to face, when he had gone to school to check for himself.
Chandrika Ghosh studying at Maharishi Vidya Mandir in Tollygunge had a close shave when a piece of concrete from the ceiling missed her by a whisker when she was walking down the corridor. A shaken Chandrika reported the matter to her father Sanjoy. He went to the school on Friday to see for himself what had happened. He was refused entry, rebuked and virtually thrown out by principal B Nag.
“Being a father, it is my right to know whether the place where my child is studying is safe. So I urged the principal to allow me to see the condition of the building where my daughter is taking her classes. But she refused and threatened to throw me outside by calling the guards,” said Sanjoy.
Angry and frustrated Sanjoy lodged an FIR with Jadavpur police station. “Without renovation and ensuring proper safety of the students how can the school authority run classes in that old building? It was just a matter of luck that she is safe,” he said.
Run by Maharishi Vidya Mandir Trust, which has over 20 schools across the country, the Tollygunge school is constructing a 5-storeyed building, which would be complete in a year. “But what happens to our children till the new building is ready? Why can’t they shift classes to some other place for the time being,” asks Sanjoy.
When we tried to contact the principal, we were refused and later in the day when HT visited the school, it was already closed. A school employee on the condition of anonymity confirmed that a large chunk had indeed fallen from the ceiling. “Since a new building is being constructed there is no point wasting money on the old one. However, necessary renovation will be done,” he said. Brigadier G.S. Sandhu, director of personal administration at the Maharishi Vidya Mandir national office in Bhopal, disowned the school. “It is true that our website shows we have a school in Kolkata, but we do not have any school in that city. We will be able to confirm its existence only after checking our records, which needs a days’ time,” he said.
“It is a good school and there are no other good schools nearby. So while I am not thinking of changing my daughter’s school, I want school authorities to undertake necessary repairs and not victimise my child because I raised my voice,” said Sanjoy.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Teachers do not want unit test in schools
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 19, 2007
THE INTRODUCTION of eight unit tests in all government and government-sponsored schools in the state has met with criticism for many teachers.
The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) introduced Continuous and Compulsory Evaluation (CCE) from this year. From Class V onwards, all schools will have to conduct eight unit tests in a year followed by an annual exam. While four unit tests will carry 15 marks each, the remaining four will be of 10 marks each.
The teachers feel that this system has many loopholes. “We agree that the existing exam system has flaws, but the new one will not work. The schools do not have the required manpower to conduct so many exams and evaluate answer scripts each month. The board should have discussed it with teachers’ associations and academicians before introducing the system,” said Ratan Lashkar, former general secretary of Secondary Teachers and Employees’ Association (STEA).
About 200 teachers affiliated to the STEA, on Thursday met the secretary of WBBSE Swapan Sharkar and urged him to change the CCE format.
Lack of teachers is not the only problem. Even if the teachers manage to hold the tests and evaluate answer scripts, the schools do not have the space to store the sheets.
Not only this, to accommodate remedial teaching classes from this year, school hour has being extended by half-an-hour. Teachers complained that the students were not getting much time to prepare for the exam due to its frequency and late school hours.
Another very big problem for the schools is to arrange money for conducting unit tests. “Students pay Rs 12 annually as exam fee. With such meagre amount it is not possible to provide question papers for the tests. Many schools are writing down the questions on the blackboard,” said Lashkar.
The eight unit tests will carry 100 marks and as per board rule, a student must score at least 25 to clear the exam. “Earlier, students had to get 34 per cent to pass the exams. But the new system has lowered the pass mark and with it the standard,” said Lashkar.
The West Bengal Headmasters’ Association has also opposed the introduction of CCE. They will soon hold a convention to protest against the new system.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 19, 2007
THE INTRODUCTION of eight unit tests in all government and government-sponsored schools in the state has met with criticism for many teachers.
The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) introduced Continuous and Compulsory Evaluation (CCE) from this year. From Class V onwards, all schools will have to conduct eight unit tests in a year followed by an annual exam. While four unit tests will carry 15 marks each, the remaining four will be of 10 marks each.
The teachers feel that this system has many loopholes. “We agree that the existing exam system has flaws, but the new one will not work. The schools do not have the required manpower to conduct so many exams and evaluate answer scripts each month. The board should have discussed it with teachers’ associations and academicians before introducing the system,” said Ratan Lashkar, former general secretary of Secondary Teachers and Employees’ Association (STEA).
About 200 teachers affiliated to the STEA, on Thursday met the secretary of WBBSE Swapan Sharkar and urged him to change the CCE format.
Lack of teachers is not the only problem. Even if the teachers manage to hold the tests and evaluate answer scripts, the schools do not have the space to store the sheets.
Not only this, to accommodate remedial teaching classes from this year, school hour has being extended by half-an-hour. Teachers complained that the students were not getting much time to prepare for the exam due to its frequency and late school hours.
Another very big problem for the schools is to arrange money for conducting unit tests. “Students pay Rs 12 annually as exam fee. With such meagre amount it is not possible to provide question papers for the tests. Many schools are writing down the questions on the blackboard,” said Lashkar.
The eight unit tests will carry 100 marks and as per board rule, a student must score at least 25 to clear the exam. “Earlier, students had to get 34 per cent to pass the exams. But the new system has lowered the pass mark and with it the standard,” said Lashkar.
The West Bengal Headmasters’ Association has also opposed the introduction of CCE. They will soon hold a convention to protest against the new system.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Clear SSC and choose your school
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 18, 2007
FROM NOW on, an aspiring teacher can almost pick and choose the school he will like to join. To help them make the right choice, the School Service Commission (SSC) will hold counselling session for successful candidates. The practice so far has been that candidates who cleared the written test and interview were offered jobs at schools specified by the SSC.
SSC chairman Ranajit Basu said they were trying to introduce the new system from this year. “We have principally agreed to hold counselling sessions from this year. The only difference will be instead of we offering schools to the candidates, they we will have the liberty to choose the school,” Basu said.
The SSC will follow the counselling pattern adopted by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE). According to the new system, the topper will have the liberty to pick his school and the option will narrow down for candidates down the ladder.
“We want to make the process as transparent as possible and will ensure that candidates know which school has how many vacancies and how the seats are getting filled up,” said Basu.
Explaining the reason behind the move, Basu said, “Many candidates do not accept the job offer because they do not get the school of their desire. In many cases candidates leave after joining the service because the location of the school and create a vacancy which cannot be filled up before another year. To do away with such problems we will be asking the candidates to chose their schools,” said Basu. Many schools do not get teachers for SC, ST and other reserved posts the counseling session may solve that problem on the spot if the authorities decided to convert some reserved posts in certain subjects into general category where candidates are not available and instead convert some general posts to reserved category in other subjects to maintain a balance.
This year the candidates have given their district preference if selected for the job. But unlike WBJEE the SSC will not hold centralized counseling. “We are yet to work out on the modalities of whether to hold district wise counseling or organize counseling in our five regional offices across the state. However the candidates will be offered options during the counseling according to their choice of district,” said Basu.
This year three lakh sixty thousand students took SSC exam out of which 24571 candidates will be offered teaching positions in the secondary and higher secondary schools across he state. The written test and the interview session is already over and the final merit list of about 49,000 students will be declared by the first week of August after which they will be called for counseling and offered teaching position in the schools of their choice.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 18, 2007
FROM NOW on, an aspiring teacher can almost pick and choose the school he will like to join. To help them make the right choice, the School Service Commission (SSC) will hold counselling session for successful candidates. The practice so far has been that candidates who cleared the written test and interview were offered jobs at schools specified by the SSC.
SSC chairman Ranajit Basu said they were trying to introduce the new system from this year. “We have principally agreed to hold counselling sessions from this year. The only difference will be instead of we offering schools to the candidates, they we will have the liberty to choose the school,” Basu said.
The SSC will follow the counselling pattern adopted by the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE). According to the new system, the topper will have the liberty to pick his school and the option will narrow down for candidates down the ladder.
“We want to make the process as transparent as possible and will ensure that candidates know which school has how many vacancies and how the seats are getting filled up,” said Basu.
Explaining the reason behind the move, Basu said, “Many candidates do not accept the job offer because they do not get the school of their desire. In many cases candidates leave after joining the service because the location of the school and create a vacancy which cannot be filled up before another year. To do away with such problems we will be asking the candidates to chose their schools,” said Basu. Many schools do not get teachers for SC, ST and other reserved posts the counseling session may solve that problem on the spot if the authorities decided to convert some reserved posts in certain subjects into general category where candidates are not available and instead convert some general posts to reserved category in other subjects to maintain a balance.
This year the candidates have given their district preference if selected for the job. But unlike WBJEE the SSC will not hold centralized counseling. “We are yet to work out on the modalities of whether to hold district wise counseling or organize counseling in our five regional offices across the state. However the candidates will be offered options during the counseling according to their choice of district,” said Basu.
This year three lakh sixty thousand students took SSC exam out of which 24571 candidates will be offered teaching positions in the secondary and higher secondary schools across he state. The written test and the interview session is already over and the final merit list of about 49,000 students will be declared by the first week of August after which they will be called for counseling and offered teaching position in the schools of their choice.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
State tries to sugar coat school act
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 17
The state government is trying to take the middle path. To make the proposed act for monitoring private schools more acceptable to institutions, the state has come up with a revised formula. The act will force schools to be accountable but will give institutions the freedom to choose the board it wants to report to.
Schools can now choose between CBSE, ICSE or West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. Institutions can also choose a trust or a corporate body. If the school is under a church then it can be accountable to it also. However the body to which the school chooses to be accountable will have to give a declaration to the government. The government is also ensuring that all institutions are affiliated to boards.
The act is being framed to ensure job security for teachers and non-teachers. It will also regulate the fee paid by students and salary structure of teachers. The original aim of the act was to force institutions to give detailed information on their management, recruitment rules of teachers, service rules and security to the government.
The act will ensure that a teacher or a non-teacher can complain to the concerned trust against the management of their institution. This trust will also be responsible to the government, the public and the court.
This act according to school education minister Partha De will be a unique one has been sent to the Centre for approval. “We are not in a hurry and are giving ample scope to all parties to air their opinion. The government is not interested to interfere in administrative maters. But schools will have to be accountable to a body which in turn will be accountable to society and ensure that rules are followed,” said De.
The teachers however are not that excited with the proposed law. They fear that if the schools are allowed to choose the body to which it wants to be accountable then framing the act will be baseless. “All the private schools have an eye on profit and will choose an agency which they are comfortable with. It is obvious that such an agency will not be neutral and the teachers will be in bigger trouble,” said Leena Chatterjee, general secretary of Forum for Teaching and Non Teaching Staff of Private Schools of West Bengal.
The forum had earlier proposed the school education minister to from a tribunal consisting of a high court judge and representatives from the schools, teachers and non-teaching employees to which all institutions are accountable. “If there is a law, then there should be a singular body to which everyone has to be accountable. How can an individual person of a trust be given that authority and to whom will these bodies be accountable? Such an arrangement will not be acceptable to us,” Chatterjee added.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 17
The state government is trying to take the middle path. To make the proposed act for monitoring private schools more acceptable to institutions, the state has come up with a revised formula. The act will force schools to be accountable but will give institutions the freedom to choose the board it wants to report to.
Schools can now choose between CBSE, ICSE or West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. Institutions can also choose a trust or a corporate body. If the school is under a church then it can be accountable to it also. However the body to which the school chooses to be accountable will have to give a declaration to the government. The government is also ensuring that all institutions are affiliated to boards.
The act is being framed to ensure job security for teachers and non-teachers. It will also regulate the fee paid by students and salary structure of teachers. The original aim of the act was to force institutions to give detailed information on their management, recruitment rules of teachers, service rules and security to the government.
The act will ensure that a teacher or a non-teacher can complain to the concerned trust against the management of their institution. This trust will also be responsible to the government, the public and the court.
This act according to school education minister Partha De will be a unique one has been sent to the Centre for approval. “We are not in a hurry and are giving ample scope to all parties to air their opinion. The government is not interested to interfere in administrative maters. But schools will have to be accountable to a body which in turn will be accountable to society and ensure that rules are followed,” said De.
The teachers however are not that excited with the proposed law. They fear that if the schools are allowed to choose the body to which it wants to be accountable then framing the act will be baseless. “All the private schools have an eye on profit and will choose an agency which they are comfortable with. It is obvious that such an agency will not be neutral and the teachers will be in bigger trouble,” said Leena Chatterjee, general secretary of Forum for Teaching and Non Teaching Staff of Private Schools of West Bengal.
The forum had earlier proposed the school education minister to from a tribunal consisting of a high court judge and representatives from the schools, teachers and non-teaching employees to which all institutions are accountable. “If there is a law, then there should be a singular body to which everyone has to be accountable. How can an individual person of a trust be given that authority and to whom will these bodies be accountable? Such an arrangement will not be acceptable to us,” Chatterjee added.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Monday, July 16, 2007
Shun corporal punishment to curb drop out rate in school: Minister
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 16, 2007
IF SCHOOL Education Minister Partha De has his way, schools will become a better place for students. The minister wants to curb drop-out rates and so he has asked teachers to shun corporal punishment as well as use of abusive words while dealing with students.
Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, De made it clear to both primary and secondary school teachers that actions amounting to mental torture for students should not be resorted to. He even warned teachers of punitive action if they beat up students.
“This is particularly applicable for primary school students who are first generation learners. We have not been able to cut back on drop-out rates and now if students are scolded or beaten up then they will get dispirited and leave school. To stop this, we are asking teachers to avoid any action that may amount to humiliation and mental torture for the child,” De said.
The minister admitted that recent newspaper reports showed that incidents of corporal punishment in schools were on the rise. Talking about harmful effects of such retribution, De said: “Earlier it was thought that unless a child is beaten up he would not study. But now, times have changed. The moment a child is physically punished he begins to fear the subject as well as the teacher. It de-motivates the student.”
He said: “Teachers who will beat up students will be punished. In serious cases, the teacher might be suspended. However, if parents seek police help then it will be left to the court to take action.”
The minister is serious about the initiative. The school education department is already organising orientation programmes for teachers.
“Apart from making teachers aware of training students on disaster management and fire fighting, the orientation programmes are teaching them how to handle a child without a cane,” De said.
The minister has also instructed primary school teachers to interact with parents and find out what students disliked about the school. The input, the minister said, should be used to reverse the drop-out trend.
Though many teachers do not encourage corporal punishment, they also feel that without it managing unruly children would be a problem. “The students are taking advantage of the changed circumstances. However, many teachers are trying to make students realise their mistakes, while several others seem to overlook the ill-behaved child,” said general secretary of the West Bengal Government School Teachers’ Association Dipak Das.
The Church of North India (CNI) is drafting rules for its teachers and students. Once in place, teachers in CNI schools will have to spare the rod and eschew verbal abuse.
Teachers of other private schools in the city also agree to the idea and are trying to adopt new methods.
“If a child is beaten up he might commit the mistake again. But if we detain mischievous children after school hours and force them to do two extra classes, or if we ban them from games’ class or from attending nature club exploration they will repent for their deed and do not repeat it again,” said Mukta Nain, principal of Birla High School for Boys.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 16, 2007
IF SCHOOL Education Minister Partha De has his way, schools will become a better place for students. The minister wants to curb drop-out rates and so he has asked teachers to shun corporal punishment as well as use of abusive words while dealing with students.
Speaking in the Assembly on Monday, De made it clear to both primary and secondary school teachers that actions amounting to mental torture for students should not be resorted to. He even warned teachers of punitive action if they beat up students.
“This is particularly applicable for primary school students who are first generation learners. We have not been able to cut back on drop-out rates and now if students are scolded or beaten up then they will get dispirited and leave school. To stop this, we are asking teachers to avoid any action that may amount to humiliation and mental torture for the child,” De said.
The minister admitted that recent newspaper reports showed that incidents of corporal punishment in schools were on the rise. Talking about harmful effects of such retribution, De said: “Earlier it was thought that unless a child is beaten up he would not study. But now, times have changed. The moment a child is physically punished he begins to fear the subject as well as the teacher. It de-motivates the student.”
He said: “Teachers who will beat up students will be punished. In serious cases, the teacher might be suspended. However, if parents seek police help then it will be left to the court to take action.”
The minister is serious about the initiative. The school education department is already organising orientation programmes for teachers.
“Apart from making teachers aware of training students on disaster management and fire fighting, the orientation programmes are teaching them how to handle a child without a cane,” De said.
The minister has also instructed primary school teachers to interact with parents and find out what students disliked about the school. The input, the minister said, should be used to reverse the drop-out trend.
Though many teachers do not encourage corporal punishment, they also feel that without it managing unruly children would be a problem. “The students are taking advantage of the changed circumstances. However, many teachers are trying to make students realise their mistakes, while several others seem to overlook the ill-behaved child,” said general secretary of the West Bengal Government School Teachers’ Association Dipak Das.
The Church of North India (CNI) is drafting rules for its teachers and students. Once in place, teachers in CNI schools will have to spare the rod and eschew verbal abuse.
Teachers of other private schools in the city also agree to the idea and are trying to adopt new methods.
“If a child is beaten up he might commit the mistake again. But if we detain mischievous children after school hours and force them to do two extra classes, or if we ban them from games’ class or from attending nature club exploration they will repent for their deed and do not repeat it again,” said Mukta Nain, principal of Birla High School for Boys.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Bose Institute and CU to jointly offer new courses
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 15, 2007
Enhancing research prospects in the fields of plant molecular biology and biotechnology, Bose Institute has tied up with Calcutta University to offer integrated MSc-PhD programmes in the subjects from the current academic session. While the classes would be held at the Bose Institute’s Kolkata campus, the degrees would be awarded jointly.
Shibaji Raha, the director of Bose Institute, said though plant molecular biology and biotechnology had huge research potential there are limited number of scholars who tread the path. “We are looking for students who want to dedicate their entire life to research in these areas,” he said.
The institution has already prepared the syllabus, Raha said. “The entire course is divided into semesters. Students may opt out after the fourth semester if they do not want to pursue PhD. The institute, too, won’t let students go ahead with the PhD programme if their MSc score, at the end of the fourth semester, is not good enough,” he said, adding that the PhD programme could be completed in five-and-a-half years.
To begin with, the institute will admit only fifteen students. “We want very good students. We do not want to compromise on the academic quality of the center. So, there will be a maximum of 15 students on the rolls in the first session,” the director of Bose Institute said. “Students who have graduated in bioscience-oriented subjects or in pure science and have acquired very high percentage may apply for the course,” he added.
On the career options after completion of the integrated MSc-PhD programme, Raha said: “We expect them to continue scientific research. Apart from doing so, they can also opt for teaching. Biotechnology has immense entrepreneurial potential as well.”
From the current academic session, Bose Institute would also offer MSc in physics with specialisation in astrophysics and space science. “We have tied up with St Xavier’s College, Kolkata, for the course and classes would take place at both campuses. For this course, too, the maximum number of seats is 15. Physics and mathematics students are eligible for the course,” Raha said.
Bose Institute is expected to advertise the courses in a week’s time. Aspiring students would first be short listed on the basis of merit and would then have to appear for a written test and/or an interview.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 15, 2007
Enhancing research prospects in the fields of plant molecular biology and biotechnology, Bose Institute has tied up with Calcutta University to offer integrated MSc-PhD programmes in the subjects from the current academic session. While the classes would be held at the Bose Institute’s Kolkata campus, the degrees would be awarded jointly.
Shibaji Raha, the director of Bose Institute, said though plant molecular biology and biotechnology had huge research potential there are limited number of scholars who tread the path. “We are looking for students who want to dedicate their entire life to research in these areas,” he said.
The institution has already prepared the syllabus, Raha said. “The entire course is divided into semesters. Students may opt out after the fourth semester if they do not want to pursue PhD. The institute, too, won’t let students go ahead with the PhD programme if their MSc score, at the end of the fourth semester, is not good enough,” he said, adding that the PhD programme could be completed in five-and-a-half years.
To begin with, the institute will admit only fifteen students. “We want very good students. We do not want to compromise on the academic quality of the center. So, there will be a maximum of 15 students on the rolls in the first session,” the director of Bose Institute said. “Students who have graduated in bioscience-oriented subjects or in pure science and have acquired very high percentage may apply for the course,” he added.
On the career options after completion of the integrated MSc-PhD programme, Raha said: “We expect them to continue scientific research. Apart from doing so, they can also opt for teaching. Biotechnology has immense entrepreneurial potential as well.”
From the current academic session, Bose Institute would also offer MSc in physics with specialisation in astrophysics and space science. “We have tied up with St Xavier’s College, Kolkata, for the course and classes would take place at both campuses. For this course, too, the maximum number of seats is 15. Physics and mathematics students are eligible for the course,” Raha said.
Bose Institute is expected to advertise the courses in a week’s time. Aspiring students would first be short listed on the basis of merit and would then have to appear for a written test and/or an interview.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Friday, July 13, 2007
Alumni spit venom over partial autonomy of Presidency
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 13
THE ALUMNI Association of the Presidency College is up in arms against the state government’s decision to award partial autonomy to the premier institution. Not ready to accept the government ‘benevolence’, the association, which held a special executive committee (EC) meeting on Friday, has resolved to seek chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s intervention in the issue.
On July 9, higher education minister Sudarsan Roychowdhuri had announced in the Assembly that the Presidency College would get only financial and administrative autonomy. The college has been denied academic autonomy and will remain linked to the Calcutta University (CU).
“For over 30 years we have been demanding deemed university status and we refuse to accept partial autonomy for the college. The chief minister, who is a Presidency alumnus, had announced in the Assembly that the college would become autonomous. We will meet him next week with the request to intervene and review the situation,” an EC member of the Presidency College Alumni Association said.
The association, which has 4000 active members, feels that partial autonomy will not contribute to the betterment of the college. It also criticised the recommendation of the seven-member expert committee on the basis of which partial autonomy has been granted. The committee has recommended the creation of chair professors as part of the autonomy deal.
“The Left parties will push its people in these positions. It will not be of any good,” said another EC member.
It is not just active members of the alumni association, but other former students of the college are also upset with the autonomy move.
“Deemed university status is long due for the Presidency. I do not know why it has not been given. I also fail to understand why the government chose to give it partial autonomy. It will not help the college,” said author and college alumni Nobonita Deb Sen.
In fact, academic autonomy is the most coveted thing for many former students. “Without academic autonomy the college can never become a centre of excellence. Calcutta University does not update its syllabus regularly. To become an excellent institution, the college should have been given the independence to frame its own syllabus, exam pattern and method of teaching,” said Sougata Roy, Trinamool Congress leader and an ex-student of the college.
The alumni association will submit a deputation to the chief minister and will explain why they think Presidency should become a deemed university. They will also tell him why partial autonomy will be of no use for the college.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 13
THE ALUMNI Association of the Presidency College is up in arms against the state government’s decision to award partial autonomy to the premier institution. Not ready to accept the government ‘benevolence’, the association, which held a special executive committee (EC) meeting on Friday, has resolved to seek chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s intervention in the issue.
On July 9, higher education minister Sudarsan Roychowdhuri had announced in the Assembly that the Presidency College would get only financial and administrative autonomy. The college has been denied academic autonomy and will remain linked to the Calcutta University (CU).
“For over 30 years we have been demanding deemed university status and we refuse to accept partial autonomy for the college. The chief minister, who is a Presidency alumnus, had announced in the Assembly that the college would become autonomous. We will meet him next week with the request to intervene and review the situation,” an EC member of the Presidency College Alumni Association said.
The association, which has 4000 active members, feels that partial autonomy will not contribute to the betterment of the college. It also criticised the recommendation of the seven-member expert committee on the basis of which partial autonomy has been granted. The committee has recommended the creation of chair professors as part of the autonomy deal.
“The Left parties will push its people in these positions. It will not be of any good,” said another EC member.
It is not just active members of the alumni association, but other former students of the college are also upset with the autonomy move.
“Deemed university status is long due for the Presidency. I do not know why it has not been given. I also fail to understand why the government chose to give it partial autonomy. It will not help the college,” said author and college alumni Nobonita Deb Sen.
In fact, academic autonomy is the most coveted thing for many former students. “Without academic autonomy the college can never become a centre of excellence. Calcutta University does not update its syllabus regularly. To become an excellent institution, the college should have been given the independence to frame its own syllabus, exam pattern and method of teaching,” said Sougata Roy, Trinamool Congress leader and an ex-student of the college.
The alumni association will submit a deputation to the chief minister and will explain why they think Presidency should become a deemed university. They will also tell him why partial autonomy will be of no use for the college.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Thursday, July 12, 2007
CU postpones exam due to miss communication
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 12, 2007
In an unprecedented incident due to miscommunication, many first year students of Calcutta University missed their BA general political science Paper 1 exam on Thursday.
The students thought that their exam was on July 14 and did not turn up at the exam hall. But when they realised the mistake, they came to their respective colleges and stated protesting. The principals informed the university. CU hurriedly called a meeting and announced that the students who could not take the exam would appear for the test on July 14.
CU said the original routine from BA Part I was drawn up in May and it slated the exam on July 12. However, after the enrolment for first year was completed in mid June, the university realised that the number of students taking the exam was huge and so split the test.
One section of students was supposed to take the exam on July 12 and the remaining on July 14. A circular was send to all colleges on June 14 but as students were preparing for the exam in their homes, few noticed it. The language of the notice according to some students was complicated and many thought that their exam would be held on July 14.
The Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) of CU, Suranjan Das said, “There was a miscommunication. No student will be penalised for not turning up.”
(mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 12, 2007
In an unprecedented incident due to miscommunication, many first year students of Calcutta University missed their BA general political science Paper 1 exam on Thursday.
The students thought that their exam was on July 14 and did not turn up at the exam hall. But when they realised the mistake, they came to their respective colleges and stated protesting. The principals informed the university. CU hurriedly called a meeting and announced that the students who could not take the exam would appear for the test on July 14.
CU said the original routine from BA Part I was drawn up in May and it slated the exam on July 12. However, after the enrolment for first year was completed in mid June, the university realised that the number of students taking the exam was huge and so split the test.
One section of students was supposed to take the exam on July 12 and the remaining on July 14. A circular was send to all colleges on June 14 but as students were preparing for the exam in their homes, few noticed it. The language of the notice according to some students was complicated and many thought that their exam would be held on July 14.
The Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) of CU, Suranjan Das said, “There was a miscommunication. No student will be penalised for not turning up.”
(mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
IGNOU assessment scripts lost & found in train
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, August 12, 2007
The assignment scripts of 45 B.Com third-year students of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) were found on a local train on Saturday evening at Burdwan.
Although university authorities managed to get the assignment scripts back by Sunday evening, the incident has left students fuming. Keshab Chandra Sinha, a professor of Goenka College of Commerce and also a part time faculty at IGNOU’s Maulana Azad College Centre, lost the scripts on the way back to his home at Haripal. He lodged an FIR with the GRP of Kamarkundu and also informed the IGNOU study centre.
Tushar Kanti Dutta, a businessman who boarded the train from Burdwan with his family, found the scripts on the train. “The bag was on the bench. After hesitating for some time, I decided to check it and found some scripts inside it. I got some phone numbers of the students written in the scripts and I contacted them immediately. The students informed IGNOU and they called me back and took away the answer scripts,” Dutta said.
IGNOU regional director Sujit Ghosh expressed surprise when told about the incident. “Such a thing has never happened before. We will look into the matter. The assignment scripts do not carry marks but the students’ progress is judged according to them. We also ask the students to write their phone numbers on it so that we can inform them about their performance.”
Ranabir Singh, a student, said though assignment papers do not carry marks, they are a mandatory part of course work. “If the papers got lost, probably, we would have had to write them again or would have been assigned marks on an average,” he said, quite perturbed. He alleged that when he went to the IGNOU centre on Sunday, the assistant coordinator misbehaved with him. “Mrs Dutta almost showed me the door when I went to inquire about the lost papers,” Ranabir said. He wondered how a teacher could be so careless about his students’ future.
Dilip Ghosh, coordinator of the Maulana Azad College (regional) said, “The teacher concerned told us that he had kept the scripts on the train bunk but could not find them while getting down. I am surprised that someone from Baidyabati got it. This man is requesting us to withdraw the police complaint. We are waiting for the police investigation report.”
Mou.Chakraborty@hindustantimes.com
Kolkata, August 12, 2007
The assignment scripts of 45 B.Com third-year students of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) were found on a local train on Saturday evening at Burdwan.
Although university authorities managed to get the assignment scripts back by Sunday evening, the incident has left students fuming. Keshab Chandra Sinha, a professor of Goenka College of Commerce and also a part time faculty at IGNOU’s Maulana Azad College Centre, lost the scripts on the way back to his home at Haripal. He lodged an FIR with the GRP of Kamarkundu and also informed the IGNOU study centre.
Tushar Kanti Dutta, a businessman who boarded the train from Burdwan with his family, found the scripts on the train. “The bag was on the bench. After hesitating for some time, I decided to check it and found some scripts inside it. I got some phone numbers of the students written in the scripts and I contacted them immediately. The students informed IGNOU and they called me back and took away the answer scripts,” Dutta said.
IGNOU regional director Sujit Ghosh expressed surprise when told about the incident. “Such a thing has never happened before. We will look into the matter. The assignment scripts do not carry marks but the students’ progress is judged according to them. We also ask the students to write their phone numbers on it so that we can inform them about their performance.”
Ranabir Singh, a student, said though assignment papers do not carry marks, they are a mandatory part of course work. “If the papers got lost, probably, we would have had to write them again or would have been assigned marks on an average,” he said, quite perturbed. He alleged that when he went to the IGNOU centre on Sunday, the assistant coordinator misbehaved with him. “Mrs Dutta almost showed me the door when I went to inquire about the lost papers,” Ranabir said. He wondered how a teacher could be so careless about his students’ future.
Dilip Ghosh, coordinator of the Maulana Azad College (regional) said, “The teacher concerned told us that he had kept the scripts on the train bunk but could not find them while getting down. I am surprised that someone from Baidyabati got it. This man is requesting us to withdraw the police complaint. We are waiting for the police investigation report.”
Mou.Chakraborty@hindustantimes.com
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Get up, stand up hit out at ragging
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 11, 2007
It is that time of the year when freshers in colleges break out into a sweat over ragging. With a new session beginning, students of Jadavpur University (JU) have come up with a unique anti-ragging poster campaign.
In a week’s time, JU will be filled with teaser posters “Say no to ragging.” A brainchild of Parag Sharkar, a mass communication student of the university, the campaign will be followed by anti-ragging messages. Thirteen students from the electronics stream and one student from the Bengali department have participated in the campaign.
“We are starting with two teaser illustrations, which will be followed by anti ragging posters. All pictures have been shot in the university itself. The idea was to make it peppy and appealing to the young crowd,” said Sharkar.
The posters will be put up in all the happening spots of the varsity. “We will put up the posters where students gather for adda,” the mass communication student said. The Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students Union (FETSU) are supporting the campaign.
Speaking to HT, Rajat Ray dean of students’ affair said, “First year engineering classes start from July 12. We want all newcomers to feel comfortable inside the campus. The anti-ragging posters will make them feel reassured.”
Ray added, “Sometimes senior students request teachers to leave classes so that they rag them. We are asking students to inform us about such teachers. The student should also keep phone numbers of members of anti-ragging panel on speed dial. If the student is alone and sees seniors approaching, then the individual can auto dial the teachers number so that he can hear the conversation.
Other universities too are taking precautions. The reason, a recent Supreme Court judgment stating that in case a student is ragged he can lodge an FIR against the offenders or the institution can conduct an independent enquiry. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome, then the institution will have to lodge a FIR.
“The reputation of institutions is at stake. Hence all colleges have endorsed anti-ragging campaigns. Ragging is a very serious offence,” said S. R. Islam, registrar of West Bengal University of Technology, which has 64 private engineering colleges’ affiliated under it.
Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU), Shibpur is also gearing up. “For the first month there will be guards deployed in front of fresher hostels. Security personnel will be standing outside the classes. There will be a roving team consisting of teachers and students who will helping freshers to get acquainted with the university. We are also asking seniors to stay away from ragging and its implications on their career,” said Lieutenant Colonel Anjan Kumar Ghosh, dean of students of BESU.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 11, 2007
It is that time of the year when freshers in colleges break out into a sweat over ragging. With a new session beginning, students of Jadavpur University (JU) have come up with a unique anti-ragging poster campaign.
In a week’s time, JU will be filled with teaser posters “Say no to ragging.” A brainchild of Parag Sharkar, a mass communication student of the university, the campaign will be followed by anti-ragging messages. Thirteen students from the electronics stream and one student from the Bengali department have participated in the campaign.
“We are starting with two teaser illustrations, which will be followed by anti ragging posters. All pictures have been shot in the university itself. The idea was to make it peppy and appealing to the young crowd,” said Sharkar.
The posters will be put up in all the happening spots of the varsity. “We will put up the posters where students gather for adda,” the mass communication student said. The Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students Union (FETSU) are supporting the campaign.
Speaking to HT, Rajat Ray dean of students’ affair said, “First year engineering classes start from July 12. We want all newcomers to feel comfortable inside the campus. The anti-ragging posters will make them feel reassured.”
Ray added, “Sometimes senior students request teachers to leave classes so that they rag them. We are asking students to inform us about such teachers. The student should also keep phone numbers of members of anti-ragging panel on speed dial. If the student is alone and sees seniors approaching, then the individual can auto dial the teachers number so that he can hear the conversation.
Other universities too are taking precautions. The reason, a recent Supreme Court judgment stating that in case a student is ragged he can lodge an FIR against the offenders or the institution can conduct an independent enquiry. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome, then the institution will have to lodge a FIR.
“The reputation of institutions is at stake. Hence all colleges have endorsed anti-ragging campaigns. Ragging is a very serious offence,” said S. R. Islam, registrar of West Bengal University of Technology, which has 64 private engineering colleges’ affiliated under it.
Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU), Shibpur is also gearing up. “For the first month there will be guards deployed in front of fresher hostels. Security personnel will be standing outside the classes. There will be a roving team consisting of teachers and students who will helping freshers to get acquainted with the university. We are also asking seniors to stay away from ragging and its implications on their career,” said Lieutenant Colonel Anjan Kumar Ghosh, dean of students of BESU.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
JU would now offer BEd course
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 11, 2007
Come January and Jadavpur University (JU) will directly offer BEd courses to the students.
Acting on the higher education department’s instruction, the executive council (EC) of the university on Wednesday withdrew affiliation from Jadavpur Vidyapith’s BEd course, classes for which are held in the evening. The course was run by the National Council of Education, Bengal, but under affiliation from Jadavpur University.
The council has directed the arts faculty of the university to create an education department, which will be responsible for offering the course directly. The department has also been asked to frame a new syllabus and structure the course. The university will chalk out its admission procedure.
JU will now find from the higher education department about the number of liabilities and sanctioned teaching posts for BEd at Jadavpur Vidyapith. This will be followed by setting up of the education department with a requisite number of teachers and other necessary teaching tools for offering the programme.
At present, Jadavpur Vidyapith has 200 seats and JU will try to keep that number intact. “Since there are no students, so the shift will not create any problem. We will try to start the course by January, but if it creates problem in maintaining parity at the all-India level, we will have to offer the course from July 2008,” said Partha Pratim Biswas, member of the JU executive council. mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 11, 2007
Come January and Jadavpur University (JU) will directly offer BEd courses to the students.
Acting on the higher education department’s instruction, the executive council (EC) of the university on Wednesday withdrew affiliation from Jadavpur Vidyapith’s BEd course, classes for which are held in the evening. The course was run by the National Council of Education, Bengal, but under affiliation from Jadavpur University.
The council has directed the arts faculty of the university to create an education department, which will be responsible for offering the course directly. The department has also been asked to frame a new syllabus and structure the course. The university will chalk out its admission procedure.
JU will now find from the higher education department about the number of liabilities and sanctioned teaching posts for BEd at Jadavpur Vidyapith. This will be followed by setting up of the education department with a requisite number of teachers and other necessary teaching tools for offering the programme.
At present, Jadavpur Vidyapith has 200 seats and JU will try to keep that number intact. “Since there are no students, so the shift will not create any problem. We will try to start the course by January, but if it creates problem in maintaining parity at the all-India level, we will have to offer the course from July 2008,” said Partha Pratim Biswas, member of the JU executive council. mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Login for private tuition
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 10
Your search for a tutor ends on your computer. All you need is a multimedia PC with a broadband connection and a headset.
TutorVista, an online tutoring brand, is bringing the best teachers from Doon School, Delhi University and the IITs to your home. “We have launched online tuition in India this month,” said Krishnan Ganesh, the TutorVista owner. The now covers CBSE and ICSE subjects and will offer classes to the Madhyamik board in three months.
Log on to www.tutorvista.co.in, choose the subjects and pay online through credit card. Various packages are available, starting Rs 499. Once you are registered online, download a software called Webex, choose a teacher and a tuition slot from various available routines. “Webex enables students to talk to the tutor through the computer’s microphone and take notes,” said Ganesh.
Those not satisfied can contact a helpline.
TutorVista has 620 Indians teaching British and American students and plans to hire 400 more for the Indian operation. The teachers are trained on how to handle online classes and need to pass a test before taking classes online. “The software is easy to handle,” says Sriparna Mitra, who has taught history to 60 students from the UK and US.
Customised courses for GRE, GMAT and TOEFL are next on Ganesh’s agenda.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 10
Your search for a tutor ends on your computer. All you need is a multimedia PC with a broadband connection and a headset.
TutorVista, an online tutoring brand, is bringing the best teachers from Doon School, Delhi University and the IITs to your home. “We have launched online tuition in India this month,” said Krishnan Ganesh, the TutorVista owner. The now covers CBSE and ICSE subjects and will offer classes to the Madhyamik board in three months.
Log on to www.tutorvista.co.in, choose the subjects and pay online through credit card. Various packages are available, starting Rs 499. Once you are registered online, download a software called Webex, choose a teacher and a tuition slot from various available routines. “Webex enables students to talk to the tutor through the computer’s microphone and take notes,” said Ganesh.
Those not satisfied can contact a helpline.
TutorVista has 620 Indians teaching British and American students and plans to hire 400 more for the Indian operation. The teachers are trained on how to handle online classes and need to pass a test before taking classes online. “The software is easy to handle,” says Sriparna Mitra, who has taught history to 60 students from the UK and US.
Customised courses for GRE, GMAT and TOEFL are next on Ganesh’s agenda.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
The best tuition for your child is here
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 10, 2007
You can stop worrying about finding the best tutor for your child. TutorVista, an online tutoring brand, is bringing the best-known teachers from Doon School, Delhi University or the IITs to your house in Kolkata.
All you need is a multimedia PC with a broadband internet connection and a headset.
“We launched this in the US 18 months back and in the UK three months ago. This month we have launched it in India,” said Krishnan Ganesh, an IIM Joka alumnus and TutorVista owner.
Parents can log on to www.tutorvista.co.in, choose the subjects for which the child needs tuition and subscribe by paying online through credit card. Various packages are available; the lowest one costs Rs 499.
The website offers tuitions for all subjects taught in Class VI-X under CBSE and ICSE. “We will soon offer tuition for Class XI and XII students. In three months we will offer classes for five state boards, including the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education,” said TutorVista’s owner.
Once the student is registered online, a software called Webex has to be downloaded. The student can then choose their teacher and a tuition slot from various routines available online.
“Webex enables students to talk to the tutor through the computer’s microphone, type notes using a chat facility, and share documents,” said Ganesh.
The online teacher will cater to not more than five students at a time. Online and offline study material and online tests are expected. Individual question sessions apart, once a month a special one-hour session allows parents to discuss their child’s progress with the teacher.
Those not satisfied with the service, can contact a help line.
TutorVista has 620 Indians teaching British and American students. With the Indian operation beginning in August, the company plans to hire 400 more teachers. “We select our teachers very carefully. Well-known retired teachers or even working teachers, housewives and unemployed youth having a good academic record can work for us,” said Ganesh. A full-time teacher can earn about Rs 14,000 a month.
The teachers are trained on how to handle online classes and need to pass a test before taking classes online.
Sriparna Mitra, who teaches history at a famous school in Kolkata, has taught about 60 students from the UK and US in the past three months. “The software is easy to handle. There is almost no gap between teacher and students,” she said.
Customised courses for GRE, GMAT and TOEFL are next on Ganesh’s agenda.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 10, 2007
You can stop worrying about finding the best tutor for your child. TutorVista, an online tutoring brand, is bringing the best-known teachers from Doon School, Delhi University or the IITs to your house in Kolkata.
All you need is a multimedia PC with a broadband internet connection and a headset.
“We launched this in the US 18 months back and in the UK three months ago. This month we have launched it in India,” said Krishnan Ganesh, an IIM Joka alumnus and TutorVista owner.
Parents can log on to www.tutorvista.co.in, choose the subjects for which the child needs tuition and subscribe by paying online through credit card. Various packages are available; the lowest one costs Rs 499.
The website offers tuitions for all subjects taught in Class VI-X under CBSE and ICSE. “We will soon offer tuition for Class XI and XII students. In three months we will offer classes for five state boards, including the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education,” said TutorVista’s owner.
Once the student is registered online, a software called Webex has to be downloaded. The student can then choose their teacher and a tuition slot from various routines available online.
“Webex enables students to talk to the tutor through the computer’s microphone, type notes using a chat facility, and share documents,” said Ganesh.
The online teacher will cater to not more than five students at a time. Online and offline study material and online tests are expected. Individual question sessions apart, once a month a special one-hour session allows parents to discuss their child’s progress with the teacher.
Those not satisfied with the service, can contact a help line.
TutorVista has 620 Indians teaching British and American students. With the Indian operation beginning in August, the company plans to hire 400 more teachers. “We select our teachers very carefully. Well-known retired teachers or even working teachers, housewives and unemployed youth having a good academic record can work for us,” said Ganesh. A full-time teacher can earn about Rs 14,000 a month.
The teachers are trained on how to handle online classes and need to pass a test before taking classes online.
Sriparna Mitra, who teaches history at a famous school in Kolkata, has taught about 60 students from the UK and US in the past three months. “The software is easy to handle. There is almost no gap between teacher and students,” she said.
Customised courses for GRE, GMAT and TOEFL are next on Ganesh’s agenda.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Monday, July 9, 2007
More than just cricket
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 9, 2007
Be it in English, Bengali or Hindi, if you have tried every trick of the trade to make your child read fluently but failed, then your last hope might be playing “Reading Cricket” with your child.
This method invented by a retired Bengali teacher of Sarsuna High School, Tejesh Adhikary, guarantees reading fluency in any language under the sun. The trick is to divide the students into two groups — the “bowling/fielding side” that will listen to the reader and the “batting side” that will do the reading — while the teacher will play the role of the umpire. With every mistake committed by the reader-batsman, he/she will be declared “out”. Reading each line of text without any errors will fetch the batting side one run. The job of the bowling side will be to point out mistake committed by the batters, but if they fail to do so, they will be penalized with “no-balls” and “wides”. After the end of every paragraph, in true cricketing style there will also be a drinks break.
Explaining how he invented the unique method, Adhikary said, “Reading fluently, especially in English has remained a perennial problem for students. During my B Ed training, I was taught that teaching through games, is the easiest way to guarantee learning. Thus, I modified the game of cricket for use as a reading tool.”
The method works wonderfully for both the batting and fielding sides. “To detect mistakes, both teams have to listen to the reading carefully to point out as well as prevent mistakes. The punctuations too should be read with required stress. And the batsman will always want to accumulate more runs by avoiding mistakes and learn in the process,” said Adhikary.
Even parents can play it with their kids — a sort of “net practice” — before the big match in class. “The beauty of the game is that it requires only two to play though a team of eleven makes the game more exciting and works best,” said Adhikary.
Talking about the effectiveness of the game, Adhikary says, “Since “Reading Cricket” is not an on-your-face reading exercise, but a game, students can get very involved. Every time students play the game, they are guaranteed some improvement. We have come across instances where children who shunned reading picked up their books to play the game regularly and have become fluent in the language.” The same technique can be applied for reading poetry also.
To popularise the game, Adhikary along with 40 others including teachers and service professionals have formed the Reading Cricket Association and got it registered in 2004. The association has conducted the game in over 150 schools in the state free of cost. If the school is outside Kolkata, only transport expenses are solicited. Now, Adhikary and the association want to acquire the Intellectual Property Rights to the game and patent it.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 9, 2007
Be it in English, Bengali or Hindi, if you have tried every trick of the trade to make your child read fluently but failed, then your last hope might be playing “Reading Cricket” with your child.
This method invented by a retired Bengali teacher of Sarsuna High School, Tejesh Adhikary, guarantees reading fluency in any language under the sun. The trick is to divide the students into two groups — the “bowling/fielding side” that will listen to the reader and the “batting side” that will do the reading — while the teacher will play the role of the umpire. With every mistake committed by the reader-batsman, he/she will be declared “out”. Reading each line of text without any errors will fetch the batting side one run. The job of the bowling side will be to point out mistake committed by the batters, but if they fail to do so, they will be penalized with “no-balls” and “wides”. After the end of every paragraph, in true cricketing style there will also be a drinks break.
Explaining how he invented the unique method, Adhikary said, “Reading fluently, especially in English has remained a perennial problem for students. During my B Ed training, I was taught that teaching through games, is the easiest way to guarantee learning. Thus, I modified the game of cricket for use as a reading tool.”
The method works wonderfully for both the batting and fielding sides. “To detect mistakes, both teams have to listen to the reading carefully to point out as well as prevent mistakes. The punctuations too should be read with required stress. And the batsman will always want to accumulate more runs by avoiding mistakes and learn in the process,” said Adhikary.
Even parents can play it with their kids — a sort of “net practice” — before the big match in class. “The beauty of the game is that it requires only two to play though a team of eleven makes the game more exciting and works best,” said Adhikary.
Talking about the effectiveness of the game, Adhikary says, “Since “Reading Cricket” is not an on-your-face reading exercise, but a game, students can get very involved. Every time students play the game, they are guaranteed some improvement. We have come across instances where children who shunned reading picked up their books to play the game regularly and have become fluent in the language.” The same technique can be applied for reading poetry also.
To popularise the game, Adhikary along with 40 others including teachers and service professionals have formed the Reading Cricket Association and got it registered in 2004. The association has conducted the game in over 150 schools in the state free of cost. If the school is outside Kolkata, only transport expenses are solicited. Now, Adhikary and the association want to acquire the Intellectual Property Rights to the game and patent it.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Schools using the name of saints beware!
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 9, 2007
THE STATE government has finally decided to crack the whip on schools that are using names of saints to enjoy privileges exclusively meant for minority institutions.
School education minister Partha De on Monday announced in the Assembly that his department would scrutinise details of schools that have named itself after saints to camouflage as a minority institution.
“We have found that many non-minority institutions are naming schools after saints to enjoy rights given to minority schools. But we will not let that happen. We will be scan and find out who all are founding these schools and why,” De said.
Though the school education department would not encroach upon the constitutional rights of minority institutions, it would monitor the recruitment procedure, the minister said.
Making this clear, De said: “Minority schools can recruit on their own but we will like to know how they are appointing the teachers. Are they being given appointment letters? What are their service conditions and whom should the teachers approach in case they have face problems? We want all these things in writing from the schools.”
Pointing to the poor educational quality of mushrooming English medium schools in the State, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy said: “While the first generation learners go to government-aided or government schools, the third generation learners are enrolling in English medium schools, where the quality of teaching is very poor. To stop this trend the government should start an English medium section in all government-aided schools too.”
Roy also suggested that the students should be given value education. “By spending so much money we are producing cyber coolie for the USA. We must introduce value education in schools so that the students can contribute for the country once they grow up.”
In his address, De stressed on the importance of life-skill education in schools and the need to teach students about man-woman relationships. “We feel that to save our students from deadly AIDS there is no harm in talking about man-woman relationship and its physical aspect. Even if we do not let the students know about it they will find it out from wrong places.”
In response to a remark by SUCI MLA Debaprasad Sarkar, De said: “Boys should understand what problems girls have and vice-versa. They need to know about all the problems of life. When we can teach a student to stay clean, we can tell them how to keep all their body parts clean, there is no harm in it.”
De further stated that to reduce syllabus pressure on students, the school education department would implement gradation in every class along with compulsory comprehensive evaluation. “We will slowly implement gradation in all the classes, we cant allow students to run after marks, our aim should be on what quality of students we are producing and not how much they can memorise.”
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 9, 2007
THE STATE government has finally decided to crack the whip on schools that are using names of saints to enjoy privileges exclusively meant for minority institutions.
School education minister Partha De on Monday announced in the Assembly that his department would scrutinise details of schools that have named itself after saints to camouflage as a minority institution.
“We have found that many non-minority institutions are naming schools after saints to enjoy rights given to minority schools. But we will not let that happen. We will be scan and find out who all are founding these schools and why,” De said.
Though the school education department would not encroach upon the constitutional rights of minority institutions, it would monitor the recruitment procedure, the minister said.
Making this clear, De said: “Minority schools can recruit on their own but we will like to know how they are appointing the teachers. Are they being given appointment letters? What are their service conditions and whom should the teachers approach in case they have face problems? We want all these things in writing from the schools.”
Pointing to the poor educational quality of mushrooming English medium schools in the State, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy said: “While the first generation learners go to government-aided or government schools, the third generation learners are enrolling in English medium schools, where the quality of teaching is very poor. To stop this trend the government should start an English medium section in all government-aided schools too.”
Roy also suggested that the students should be given value education. “By spending so much money we are producing cyber coolie for the USA. We must introduce value education in schools so that the students can contribute for the country once they grow up.”
In his address, De stressed on the importance of life-skill education in schools and the need to teach students about man-woman relationships. “We feel that to save our students from deadly AIDS there is no harm in talking about man-woman relationship and its physical aspect. Even if we do not let the students know about it they will find it out from wrong places.”
In response to a remark by SUCI MLA Debaprasad Sarkar, De said: “Boys should understand what problems girls have and vice-versa. They need to know about all the problems of life. When we can teach a student to stay clean, we can tell them how to keep all their body parts clean, there is no harm in it.”
De further stated that to reduce syllabus pressure on students, the school education department would implement gradation in every class along with compulsory comprehensive evaluation. “We will slowly implement gradation in all the classes, we cant allow students to run after marks, our aim should be on what quality of students we are producing and not how much they can memorise.”
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
RKM launches maths, heritage course
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 4, 2007
The Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University (RMVU) on Wednesday launched the School of Mathematical Sciences and School of Indian Heritage.
While the School of Mathematical Sciences would concentrate on producing research scholars in basic sciences, the School of Indian Heritage is aimed at creating Sanskrit scholars. The central government has promised the university to grant Rs 59.26 crores under the 11th Five Year plan.
From 2008, the School of Mathematical Sciences will admit students for integrated PhD. The students will do M.Sc in maths and then proceed to do a PhD. From 2009, the university will offer integrated PhD in physics and from 2010 the university has plans to offer integrated M.Sc in both the subjects. The varsity has plans to start integrated PhD in theoretical computer science from 2011. The RMVU will admit 20 students through an all-India competitive exam.
“The School of Mathematical Sciences has been created to groom students for research in basic science. Researchers will be given teaching assignments for B.Sc and M.Sc students,” said Swami Atmapriyananda, vice-chancellor of the university.
The School of Indian Heritage will groom students in Sanskrit through an integrated M.A and PhD. Students will also have to study English, Hindi and computer science so that they understand the subject better and become hi-tech scholars. “The medium of teaching will be in Sanskrit. Students passing out would be world class scholars and help in interpreting Sanskrit manuscripts,” said Swami Atmapriyananda. “There is a demand for Sanskrit scholars who will not only conduct research but will also teach,” he added.
The School of Indian Heritage will also conduct research on ancient Indian scientific heritage. “Since we do not have scholars who are proficient in both Sanskrit and science we have not been able to show the world that many discoveries and inventions made by the West were actually done in ancient India. We will now concentrate on this apect,” said Swami Atmapriyananda.
“Faculty from foreign universities has already expressed their wish to join the School of Mathematical Sciences. We have also short-listed faculty for the School of Indian Heritage. If we can offer good money and research facility then many scholars would love to join us,” said Swami Atmapriyananda
The School of Mathematical Science will be located at the Belur campus and Swami Vivakananda’s residence near Girish Park Simulia Street. School of Indian Heritage will be located in Belur and the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark. The UGC also gave recognition to the universities nursing training course in Lucknow.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 4, 2007
The Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University (RMVU) on Wednesday launched the School of Mathematical Sciences and School of Indian Heritage.
While the School of Mathematical Sciences would concentrate on producing research scholars in basic sciences, the School of Indian Heritage is aimed at creating Sanskrit scholars. The central government has promised the university to grant Rs 59.26 crores under the 11th Five Year plan.
From 2008, the School of Mathematical Sciences will admit students for integrated PhD. The students will do M.Sc in maths and then proceed to do a PhD. From 2009, the university will offer integrated PhD in physics and from 2010 the university has plans to offer integrated M.Sc in both the subjects. The varsity has plans to start integrated PhD in theoretical computer science from 2011. The RMVU will admit 20 students through an all-India competitive exam.
“The School of Mathematical Sciences has been created to groom students for research in basic science. Researchers will be given teaching assignments for B.Sc and M.Sc students,” said Swami Atmapriyananda, vice-chancellor of the university.
The School of Indian Heritage will groom students in Sanskrit through an integrated M.A and PhD. Students will also have to study English, Hindi and computer science so that they understand the subject better and become hi-tech scholars. “The medium of teaching will be in Sanskrit. Students passing out would be world class scholars and help in interpreting Sanskrit manuscripts,” said Swami Atmapriyananda. “There is a demand for Sanskrit scholars who will not only conduct research but will also teach,” he added.
The School of Indian Heritage will also conduct research on ancient Indian scientific heritage. “Since we do not have scholars who are proficient in both Sanskrit and science we have not been able to show the world that many discoveries and inventions made by the West were actually done in ancient India. We will now concentrate on this apect,” said Swami Atmapriyananda.
“Faculty from foreign universities has already expressed their wish to join the School of Mathematical Sciences. We have also short-listed faculty for the School of Indian Heritage. If we can offer good money and research facility then many scholars would love to join us,” said Swami Atmapriyananda
The School of Mathematical Science will be located at the Belur campus and Swami Vivakananda’s residence near Girish Park Simulia Street. School of Indian Heritage will be located in Belur and the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark. The UGC also gave recognition to the universities nursing training course in Lucknow.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
School, colleges rained off
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 3, 2007
It was a classic rainy day holiday with many schools and colleges closed for the day. Admissions and examination also were cancelled.
Due to water logging at B.T. Road, Rabindrabharati University was forced to cancel its MA Part II exam. New dates will be announced on July 5 for all eleven subjects.
At Lady Brabourne College a group of students from Malda and Nepal had come for admission. The college had scheduled Tuesday as the only day for admission in all nine science subjects. The students had walked through knee-deep water at Suhrawardy Avenue and came to the college only to be disappointed.
“It is virtually impossible to enter the college. Hence we rescheduled the admission date to July 6. Though some students from far away places did manage to come, but they were an exception,” said Sanghamitra Mukherjee, principal.
Bethune College too rescheduled the admissions for its science subjects to July 6. Hedua was completely water logged and Scottish Church Collegiate School and college declared a holiday. College employees who entered the premises found the science laboratory under one foot water. M.Sc Part I chemistry and botany exams of the college were cancelled and fresh dates will be announced later.
“The Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the mayor should do something about water logging. I cannot imagine what will happen if it rains like Mumbai and Gujarat, the city will probably be washed away,” said J. Abraham, principal of Scottish Church College.
Water at College Street was waist deep and Presidency College cancelled its admission and counselling in physics, chemistry, maths, geology and geography. It has been rescheduled to July 6. The MA French exam at Calcutta University has been cancelled and a new date will be declared shortly.
With College Street turning to Venice, Hindu School and Sanskrit Collegiate School declared a holiday. Nearby Hare School also followed suit after most students and teachers failed to turn up. Birla High School, South Point High School, Julian Day School and Vivekanada Mission School were also closed.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 3, 2007
It was a classic rainy day holiday with many schools and colleges closed for the day. Admissions and examination also were cancelled.
Due to water logging at B.T. Road, Rabindrabharati University was forced to cancel its MA Part II exam. New dates will be announced on July 5 for all eleven subjects.
At Lady Brabourne College a group of students from Malda and Nepal had come for admission. The college had scheduled Tuesday as the only day for admission in all nine science subjects. The students had walked through knee-deep water at Suhrawardy Avenue and came to the college only to be disappointed.
“It is virtually impossible to enter the college. Hence we rescheduled the admission date to July 6. Though some students from far away places did manage to come, but they were an exception,” said Sanghamitra Mukherjee, principal.
Bethune College too rescheduled the admissions for its science subjects to July 6. Hedua was completely water logged and Scottish Church Collegiate School and college declared a holiday. College employees who entered the premises found the science laboratory under one foot water. M.Sc Part I chemistry and botany exams of the college were cancelled and fresh dates will be announced later.
“The Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the mayor should do something about water logging. I cannot imagine what will happen if it rains like Mumbai and Gujarat, the city will probably be washed away,” said J. Abraham, principal of Scottish Church College.
Water at College Street was waist deep and Presidency College cancelled its admission and counselling in physics, chemistry, maths, geology and geography. It has been rescheduled to July 6. The MA French exam at Calcutta University has been cancelled and a new date will be declared shortly.
With College Street turning to Venice, Hindu School and Sanskrit Collegiate School declared a holiday. Nearby Hare School also followed suit after most students and teachers failed to turn up. Birla High School, South Point High School, Julian Day School and Vivekanada Mission School were also closed.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Centre to help woo investors and utilise WTO agreements
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 3, 2007
By the end of July, the city will have its Centre for WTO, to study the feasibility of Bengal as a destination for investors worldwide. It will also help the state utilise various WTO agreements for its benefit.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has tied up with the state department of commerce and industry to set up the centre. IIFT was founded in 1963 by the Indian government as an autonomous organisation to improve foreign trade management and increase exports. On the other hand, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organisation designed to supervise and liberalise international trade and the majority of the world's trading nations are its signatories.
“The centre is being set-up to help the state government understand various WTO issues that will make an impact on the state’s industry, agriculture and services,” said K.T. Chako, director of IIFT.
Explaining why the centre was being set up in Kolkata, the director of IIFT’s Kolkata branch, K Rangarajan said, “Keeping in mind the ‘look east’ policy being adopted globally, Bengal is being considered as a gateway and it certainly has a strategic importance.” The only other Centre for WTO was set up at Delhi in 2002.
The centre will be partly funded by the state ministry of commerce and industry. The apex body of the Centre for WTO comprising of representatives from various ministries and from IIFT will meet during the middle of the month to decide upon the launch date of the centre. The centre will also have an advisory body where industry organisations such as CII, ICC, and BNCCI will be members.
The centre will give tips to the state on combating countries such as China that use the state as a dumping ground. It will also address various issues related to Intellectual Property rights. A databank on various aspects of industry in Bengal will be created to help foreign investors, the state and Central government and local industries assess investment opportunities. It will then be easier to decide how to invest in the state.
Among other things, the centre will create awareness among policymakers and the industry about various WTO agreements. It will co-ordinate with the commerce and industries ministry about concerns and interests of the state in the light of various WTO agreements. Challenges that various sectors such as agriculture, production, IT and BPO in the state might face will be looked into.
Newer areas would be explored and researchers at the centre will analyse the benefits and opportunities the state can derive from various WTO agreements.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 3, 2007
By the end of July, the city will have its Centre for WTO, to study the feasibility of Bengal as a destination for investors worldwide. It will also help the state utilise various WTO agreements for its benefit.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has tied up with the state department of commerce and industry to set up the centre. IIFT was founded in 1963 by the Indian government as an autonomous organisation to improve foreign trade management and increase exports. On the other hand, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organisation designed to supervise and liberalise international trade and the majority of the world's trading nations are its signatories.
“The centre is being set-up to help the state government understand various WTO issues that will make an impact on the state’s industry, agriculture and services,” said K.T. Chako, director of IIFT.
Explaining why the centre was being set up in Kolkata, the director of IIFT’s Kolkata branch, K Rangarajan said, “Keeping in mind the ‘look east’ policy being adopted globally, Bengal is being considered as a gateway and it certainly has a strategic importance.” The only other Centre for WTO was set up at Delhi in 2002.
The centre will be partly funded by the state ministry of commerce and industry. The apex body of the Centre for WTO comprising of representatives from various ministries and from IIFT will meet during the middle of the month to decide upon the launch date of the centre. The centre will also have an advisory body where industry organisations such as CII, ICC, and BNCCI will be members.
The centre will give tips to the state on combating countries such as China that use the state as a dumping ground. It will also address various issues related to Intellectual Property rights. A databank on various aspects of industry in Bengal will be created to help foreign investors, the state and Central government and local industries assess investment opportunities. It will then be easier to decide how to invest in the state.
Among other things, the centre will create awareness among policymakers and the industry about various WTO agreements. It will co-ordinate with the commerce and industries ministry about concerns and interests of the state in the light of various WTO agreements. Challenges that various sectors such as agriculture, production, IT and BPO in the state might face will be looked into.
Newer areas would be explored and researchers at the centre will analyse the benefits and opportunities the state can derive from various WTO agreements.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Monday, July 2, 2007
Presidency to churn out petroleum explores
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 2, 2007
THE PRESIDENCY College is all set to take another step in diversifying its course offering.
After starting the undergraduate course in biochemistry, the college is now gearing up to launch post-graduate diploma in petroleum exploration this August. Students who have completed their M.Sc in geology will be eligible to apply for the new course.
“We will launch this course in August. This course will make the students equipped to join the oil exploration industry. The oil exploration industry is seeing a boom and offers great career opportunity for geology students. We will also be able to provide placements as there is constant enquiry from the industry about our students,” said Haren Bhattacharya, head of geology department.
The college has handed over a letter to chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on July 1 with details of the course. In the letter the college has also expressed its desire to tie up with one of the petroleum majors for the programme. In fact, it has suggested that Reliance PetroChem could sponsor the programme.
The college is ready with the syllabus and has sent relevant details to the higher education department for mandatory clearances.
Explaining the reason for introducing the course, Bhattacharya said, “After completing M.Sc in geology, students join the IITs to do their M.Tech. If we can offer the course here then students can continue with their studies here.”
The other significant advantage of the Presidency course will be its duration. While the M.Tech programme at the IITs takes three years to complete, the diploma course at the Presidency will be over in just one year.
The geology department currently has 18 teaching posts and the college feels this strength will be enough to start the new programme. But for the technical part of the course it will require visiting faculty from the industry. The college is in touch with oil giants like GAIL, ONGC and Reliance PetroChem for the purpose.
However, inviting faculties from the industry will entail huge costs. “For this we need sponsorship from the industry itself,” Bhattacharya said. The college will also need money to send students on industrial visits and trainings.
The college is, however, yet to decide on whether the course will be self-financed or not. To begin with, there will be 10 seats and applications will be invited after the M.Sc results are declared. The aspirants for the course will also have to clear a written test to be eligible for admission.
To make students ready for the industry, they will be equipped to identify various acquisition methods and legal processes involved in exploration, gain an overview of petroleum geology, geophysics and drilling, understand technical aspects of exploration, better visualize various exploration equipment/technologies and understand the major cost components and appreciate the technical and economical risks involved in petroleum exploration.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 2, 2007
THE PRESIDENCY College is all set to take another step in diversifying its course offering.
After starting the undergraduate course in biochemistry, the college is now gearing up to launch post-graduate diploma in petroleum exploration this August. Students who have completed their M.Sc in geology will be eligible to apply for the new course.
“We will launch this course in August. This course will make the students equipped to join the oil exploration industry. The oil exploration industry is seeing a boom and offers great career opportunity for geology students. We will also be able to provide placements as there is constant enquiry from the industry about our students,” said Haren Bhattacharya, head of geology department.
The college has handed over a letter to chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on July 1 with details of the course. In the letter the college has also expressed its desire to tie up with one of the petroleum majors for the programme. In fact, it has suggested that Reliance PetroChem could sponsor the programme.
The college is ready with the syllabus and has sent relevant details to the higher education department for mandatory clearances.
Explaining the reason for introducing the course, Bhattacharya said, “After completing M.Sc in geology, students join the IITs to do their M.Tech. If we can offer the course here then students can continue with their studies here.”
The other significant advantage of the Presidency course will be its duration. While the M.Tech programme at the IITs takes three years to complete, the diploma course at the Presidency will be over in just one year.
The geology department currently has 18 teaching posts and the college feels this strength will be enough to start the new programme. But for the technical part of the course it will require visiting faculty from the industry. The college is in touch with oil giants like GAIL, ONGC and Reliance PetroChem for the purpose.
However, inviting faculties from the industry will entail huge costs. “For this we need sponsorship from the industry itself,” Bhattacharya said. The college will also need money to send students on industrial visits and trainings.
The college is, however, yet to decide on whether the course will be self-financed or not. To begin with, there will be 10 seats and applications will be invited after the M.Sc results are declared. The aspirants for the course will also have to clear a written test to be eligible for admission.
To make students ready for the industry, they will be equipped to identify various acquisition methods and legal processes involved in exploration, gain an overview of petroleum geology, geophysics and drilling, understand technical aspects of exploration, better visualize various exploration equipment/technologies and understand the major cost components and appreciate the technical and economical risks involved in petroleum exploration.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Madhyamik results leak probe panel submits report
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 2, 2007
The process adopted for the publication of the Madhyamik results is not foolproof. The private agencies deployed to compile marks and prepare the mark sheets are not trustworthy either. This is the conclusion one has to draw going through the one-man committee report probing the leak of Madhyamik 2007 result to the electronic media. The joint secretary of school education, R.K. Ray, entrusted with the probe, submitted the report to school education minister Partha De on Monday.
“The report has pointed out that the agencies that do the computer compilation of the results may have been responsible for the leak. That is the only gap found in the whole process from where information may have been obtained by outsiders,” said De.
After evaluating the answer scripts the teachers write down the total marks obtained by each student and their roll numbers into three mark rolls. One mark roll is given to the head examiner of the subject while another one is preserved in the confidential section of West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. The third goes to the computer section.
The Madhyamik board does not have its own computer section; hence an agency is hired which is given the responsibility of compiling the marks on the computer by typing in the individual marks in the result format. Ray in his report has asked the board to streamline its computing system.
Inquiries by HT, however, revealed that under no circumstances could results have been leaked without the board’s knowledge. The name of the agencies that compile the result is secret and only the highest board officials know about it. Hence an outsider wanting to obtain the result from the agency could have got the name and address of the agency only from the board. On being questioned, De, however, said, “This is a question whose answer we are trying to find out.”
This was the preliminary report. A detailed investigation on how the leak happened and which people from the board could have been involved in it will be submitted in two months’ time. “I admit there was a leak, as the marks shown by the TV channels later tallied. More investigation is required to establish how exactly it happened and who are responsible for it. As of now, we did not find anyone from the board responsible,” said De.
“In the confidential room, subject-wise mark rolls of every student is kept in separate lockers. If someone wants to find out about the marks obtained he will have to break open the lockers dedicated to all subjects one by one, find the marks roll, break its seal and read it. This is a very laborious process and the security is very strict in the confidential section,” said an official of the school education department.
But board officials cannot get a clean chit yet. The investigation now will look at various aspects of result publication. After compiling the results, the computer section (the agency) sends the CD of the result to the board, which then sends the results for printing. Hence the leak could even have happened from the result CD kept with the board or even from the printing section.mou.hindustanimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 2, 2007
The process adopted for the publication of the Madhyamik results is not foolproof. The private agencies deployed to compile marks and prepare the mark sheets are not trustworthy either. This is the conclusion one has to draw going through the one-man committee report probing the leak of Madhyamik 2007 result to the electronic media. The joint secretary of school education, R.K. Ray, entrusted with the probe, submitted the report to school education minister Partha De on Monday.
“The report has pointed out that the agencies that do the computer compilation of the results may have been responsible for the leak. That is the only gap found in the whole process from where information may have been obtained by outsiders,” said De.
After evaluating the answer scripts the teachers write down the total marks obtained by each student and their roll numbers into three mark rolls. One mark roll is given to the head examiner of the subject while another one is preserved in the confidential section of West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. The third goes to the computer section.
The Madhyamik board does not have its own computer section; hence an agency is hired which is given the responsibility of compiling the marks on the computer by typing in the individual marks in the result format. Ray in his report has asked the board to streamline its computing system.
Inquiries by HT, however, revealed that under no circumstances could results have been leaked without the board’s knowledge. The name of the agencies that compile the result is secret and only the highest board officials know about it. Hence an outsider wanting to obtain the result from the agency could have got the name and address of the agency only from the board. On being questioned, De, however, said, “This is a question whose answer we are trying to find out.”
This was the preliminary report. A detailed investigation on how the leak happened and which people from the board could have been involved in it will be submitted in two months’ time. “I admit there was a leak, as the marks shown by the TV channels later tallied. More investigation is required to establish how exactly it happened and who are responsible for it. As of now, we did not find anyone from the board responsible,” said De.
“In the confidential room, subject-wise mark rolls of every student is kept in separate lockers. If someone wants to find out about the marks obtained he will have to break open the lockers dedicated to all subjects one by one, find the marks roll, break its seal and read it. This is a very laborious process and the security is very strict in the confidential section,” said an official of the school education department.
But board officials cannot get a clean chit yet. The investigation now will look at various aspects of result publication. After compiling the results, the computer section (the agency) sends the CD of the result to the board, which then sends the results for printing. Hence the leak could even have happened from the result CD kept with the board or even from the printing section.mou.hindustanimes@yahoo.com
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Freedom may just be days away for Presidency College.
Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, July 1, 2007
Speaking at the centenary celebration of David Hare Training College on Sunday, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said the final decision on granting autonomy — complete or partial — to the premier institution would be taken very soon. “We need more and more centres of excellence in higher education and Presidency College will be one of them,” he said. Higher education minister Sudarsan Raychoudhuri, who was also present on the occasion, added that the decision would be taken within this month.
The state government had formed a six-member committee for suggesting ways to develop the quality of education at Presidency College. Headed by West Bengal Council of Higher Education vice-chairman Subimal Sen, the committee submitted its report to the higher education department on May 30.
It suggested that Presidency be given special powers and concessions, which other colleges under Calcutta University do not enjoy, without being granted complete autonomy. But whether the state government will follow this suggestion is still not clear. “The matter will be discussed in the higher education council and with college authorities before a final decision is taken,” said Ashok Mohon Chakraborty, additional chief secretary of the higher education department.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister also expressed concern over problems dogging the education sector. Till now, the Left Front government had been harping on poor infrastructure as the biggest bane, but on Sunday the chief minister admitted that the quality of education too was suffering. “I am concerned. We are trying to find out ways to upgrade the academic standard. The problem begins right from the primary level,” he said.
There are 58,000 primary schools in the state, but not every child has the opportunity to go to school, he pointed out. “Despite our efforts, about 7-8 lakh students are still left out. In the 11th Five Year Plan, we will focus on this aspect and aim for cent per cent literacy as far as children are concerned,” he said.
Bhattacharjee also questioned the quality of teaching in schools. “Do teachers understand the needs of students? What is the quality of knowledge they gain after they pass out Class IV? These are some questions we need to answer,” he said.
Stressing on the need for vocational training, the chief minister said, “Every year, more than 500,000 students qualify the Madhyamik examination though all of them do not get first division. But that does not mean they cannot prosper in life. Vocational training can be the steppingstone to success.”
Bhattacharjee said the state government would open new colleges that will lay special thrust on science and technology. “Technology is our future. These colleges will help achieve our target,” he said.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
Kolkata, July 1, 2007
Speaking at the centenary celebration of David Hare Training College on Sunday, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said the final decision on granting autonomy — complete or partial — to the premier institution would be taken very soon. “We need more and more centres of excellence in higher education and Presidency College will be one of them,” he said. Higher education minister Sudarsan Raychoudhuri, who was also present on the occasion, added that the decision would be taken within this month.
The state government had formed a six-member committee for suggesting ways to develop the quality of education at Presidency College. Headed by West Bengal Council of Higher Education vice-chairman Subimal Sen, the committee submitted its report to the higher education department on May 30.
It suggested that Presidency be given special powers and concessions, which other colleges under Calcutta University do not enjoy, without being granted complete autonomy. But whether the state government will follow this suggestion is still not clear. “The matter will be discussed in the higher education council and with college authorities before a final decision is taken,” said Ashok Mohon Chakraborty, additional chief secretary of the higher education department.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister also expressed concern over problems dogging the education sector. Till now, the Left Front government had been harping on poor infrastructure as the biggest bane, but on Sunday the chief minister admitted that the quality of education too was suffering. “I am concerned. We are trying to find out ways to upgrade the academic standard. The problem begins right from the primary level,” he said.
There are 58,000 primary schools in the state, but not every child has the opportunity to go to school, he pointed out. “Despite our efforts, about 7-8 lakh students are still left out. In the 11th Five Year Plan, we will focus on this aspect and aim for cent per cent literacy as far as children are concerned,” he said.
Bhattacharjee also questioned the quality of teaching in schools. “Do teachers understand the needs of students? What is the quality of knowledge they gain after they pass out Class IV? These are some questions we need to answer,” he said.
Stressing on the need for vocational training, the chief minister said, “Every year, more than 500,000 students qualify the Madhyamik examination though all of them do not get first division. But that does not mean they cannot prosper in life. Vocational training can be the steppingstone to success.”
Bhattacharjee said the state government would open new colleges that will lay special thrust on science and technology. “Technology is our future. These colleges will help achieve our target,” he said.
mou.hindustantimes@yahoo.com
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