EDUCATION Class XI

Schools not keen on legal studies

Vivek Gupta

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 23

CBSE-affiliated private schools in the region are not very receptive to start a legal course in class XI. The CBSE introduced a legal course earlier this year to sensitise the students to the Indian legal system and invited response from private schools that wish to start this course in their schools. But, the response from the schools in Chandigarh is very negligible so far. CBSE officials said only one school from the city had applied for starting the legal course so far. In the region, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and J&K, only 10 schools have applied to opt for this course. CBSE regional officer RJ Khanderao said the response of the schools from this region was not very encouraging so far. But, we are hopeful that more schools will turn up once the course will start from the next session, he said. He said the legal studies course was to be offered as an elective subject for class XI in CBSE schools. The idea was to sensitise the students to the countrys basic legal system, including the Indian Penal Code, criminal justice system and other aspect of judiciary, so that the students remain in discipline and understand their duties being the citizens of the country. The course, it is learnt, is already been running as a pilot project in the NCR region, and it will start in schools that have applied for this course from the next session. Compared to the CBSEs Panchkula region, the response of other regions is very positive. More than 600 schools from across the country have already applied for this course. In Chandigarh, however, DAV, Sector 15, is the only school to opt for this course. Rakesh Sachdeva, principal of the school, said: It is our duty being a citizen of the country to learn about its constitution and the judicial system, and this legal course is a step forward to make our children more responsible towards our society and the country. We are very much excited to start this course from the next year in the school and help our students learn the basics of our country, she said.

Leaving course midway to cost PGI junior docs dear

Ritika Jha Palial

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 23

Resigning from the PGI in the middle of a course is going to cost doctors dear. The institute has increased the penalty on junior residents leaving the course midway. Every junior resident will have to pay Rs 75,000 as penalty, up from the existing Rs 50,000, on tendering resignation within six months of joining the course. The penalty for leaving the course after two years has been increased from Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 2,25,000. The prospectus for the session January 2014 issued on Saturday stated: The junior residents will be on the contract service for a period of three years, and will be required to execute an agreement. Any candidate who joins MD/MS/MHA course and leaves the said course in midway, the penalty will be imposed (see box). The PGI has been struggling with a shortage of staff, while the number of patients, both inside the emergency as well as in the OPDs, has been consistently on the rise. Owing to the shortage of staff, the institute has been finding it hard to improve patient care. A proposal to increase the penalty was mooted in the last meeting of the Standing Academic Committee of the PGI a few months ago. Finalising the proposal, the increased penalty will now come into effect from the MD/MS/MHA session starting in January 2014.

construction of girls hostel

PUCSC to hold meetings with contractors

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 23

Panjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC) President Chandan Rana said, "The council will hold regular meetings with the contractors involved in construction of the Girls' Hostel Number 9. The contractors had specified November 30 as deadline for completion. "If the work is not completed with the time frame, the council members will not hesitate to stage dharna outside executive engineer's office," said Rana. PUCSC Secretary Dr Abha said, "The biggest problem today is unavailability of girls' hostel seats and it will be sorted only when construction work is finished. Once the hostel seats of Girls' Hostel Number 9 are allocated, the problem of girls' hostel will be sorted out." Also, in the meeting it was decided that washrooms in the student centre will be renovated. The Executive engineer horticulture was also present in the meeting and it was decided that area besides the road leading from Gate No 1 to Boys Hostel No 2 will be further beautified. The CME ended with a discussion on setting the agenda for the future of psychiatry. The alumni of the Department expressed their gratitude towards the current Head of the Department, Prof. Savita Malhotra and her team for organising the event on this auspicious occasion. It was a memorable homecoming for the protégées of the Department who promised all possible help to the Department for continuing its excellent work and maintains its steady growth. The alumni parted on a sentimental note, wishing to meet again in the near future.

Govt teachers submit memo to DPI (S)

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 23

A 21-member delegation of the Government Teachers Union met DPI (S) Dr Kamlesh Kumar and submitted a memorandum with the list of their demands. The association demanded revision in the recruitment rules asking for one-time promotion to all cadres of teachers on the basis of teaching experience and qualification. They also asked for the regularisation of SSA teachers working under the SSA Society, pay scale for principal/headmaster/headmistress as per the Supreme Court and CAT orders and promotion order of JBT, nursery, drawing, PTI teachers, work experience, tabla instructors, senior lab attendants, etc., with immediate effect to minimise the loss of study in high schools. The delegation also apprised the DPI (S) of the immediate issues being faced by the teachers. Dr Vinod Sharma, president of the union, said the DPI (S) gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured early solution to the problem of the teachers.

Department holds back transfer of 108 SSA teachers

Vivek Gupta

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 23

The UT Education Department today held back its last week's order to transfer 108 SSA teachers. The decision was taken after some SSA teachers met DPI (s) Kamlesh Kumar and requested him to reconsider their transfer order on the ground that their transfer was erratic. Officials said the matter was put under review by the DPI (s) today and the fresh transfer orders would be reissued soon after due consideration. Among those who were issued transfer orders were 70 Trained Graduate Teachers and 38 Junior Basis Teachers. Officials said those named in the transfer list were all surplus in their respective schools and they were transferred to those schools where there was a shortage of teachers. The list is held back for now, but it will be issued again after due consideration, said an official. However, several SSA teachers are agitated over their frequent transfers. A JBT teacher said he was transferred last year also, and this year, too, the department gave him transfer orders. Just because they are contractual teachers, they are often made scapegoat. Regular teachers are staying for over 10 years in government schools, but the department has yet not initiated their transfers, he said. Some teachers were relieved on Saturday by the respective schools, and there is still confusion whether they will be able to join back their original school after the todays decision or not. Most of the teachers also demanded the proper implementation of the transfer policy of the UT that allows the compulsory transfer only after 10 years' of stay in a government school. It is five years in the case of school principal/head/ headmistress.

Four-day theatre fest kicks off

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 23

Four-day theatre festival of the North Zone Cultural Centre began today with the classic romantic tragedy Romeo Juliet performed beautifully at the Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, here. The play was performed in the shape of a mime. Directed by Partho Bandhopadhyay, the play saw the intense performances by Punjabi Universitys Theatre and Television Department actors. The play was designed by Gagandeep. Tomorrow, another play, Karmawali, written by Kashmiri Lal Zakir would be staged. The play is directed by Sunita Dhir and Gurcharan Singh. The play revolves around the life of a woman in the backdrop of the Partition of India.

Strive for excellence, students urged

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 23

The Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (IIChE), Chandigarh Student Chapter, in association with the Dr SS Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (UICET), Panjab University, today organised a talk on the topic What Industry Wants From You. Vijay Seth, managing director, Sakata Inx Ltd, delivered the lecture. He apprised the students of the job opportunities available for chemical engineering in the industry and deliberated on the requirement of the industry. Based on his practical experience, he gave tips to the students and motivated them to strive for excellence. He gave valuable insights as to how the students may excel in the industry and prove to be successful engineers. Vijay Seth is an alumnus of the institute. Earlier, the function began with a welcome address by Prof Emeritus, Dr SS Bhatnagar, UICET, and the chairman, IIChE-Chandigarh Regional Centre, Prof SK Sharma. It was presided over by the president, IIChE, Prof VK Rattan. Executive members of the IIChE were among the invitees. The function ended with a vote of thanks by Dr Anupama Thakur, event coordinator and an executive member of the IIChE. A large number of students also participated in the function.

Swami Vivekananda remembered

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 23

As part of 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishna Mission Ashram, Chandigarh, organised a symposium on Swami Vivekananda and Nari Shakti today. Besides lectures and devotional songs, an all-women essay competition was also the part of the symposium. As many as 71 undergraduate girls from different colleges took part in the competition. Swami Suviranandaji Maharaj, Assistant Secretary, Ramkrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, presided over the function and gave away prizes to the awardees. The students from undergraduate colleges participated in the essay competition on the subject Swami Vivekananda and Nari Shakti. Mudita Kohli from Government College for Girls, Sector 42, bagged the first prize. Surneet Kaur from MCM College, Sector 36; and Shivani Gupta from Government College of Commerce and Business Administration, Sector 42, won the second prize. Manju of Punjab University; Nitika Garg from Government College, Sector 20; and Loveleen Chaudhary of DAV, Sector 10, shared the third prize.

CBSE-i accreditation for Panchkula school

Tribune News Service Panchkula, September 23

Hansraj Public School, Sector 6, Panchkula, secured the much-coveted CBSE-i (International) accreditation by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). A high-level CBSE team had visited the school last month and judged it on various parameters. Only a few days ago, the school was adjudged No. 1 in Haryana for its unique teaching technology and learning environment in a nationwide survey by the Education World. The team found the school a perfect destination to showcase this prestigious learning option being offered by the CBSE for the students of the region. The school had been among the first ones to provide smart classrooms to its students. Its most important strength is considered to be its strong information technology networking and its reprographic wing, said Jaya Bhardwaj, principal of the school. The CBSE-i accreditation is an attempt to create a congenial educational environment worldwide for the benefit of students who want to pursue their studies abroad. The school will, hence, adopt entirely new curriculum suitable to global needs, said the principal. Jaya Bhardwaj said the school had been in touch with the advanced educational system practiced globally and had made it available to its students for the past about four years. The school will soon throw an option to the parents who want their wards to learn according to the international standards.

From schools

Rhyme Day function Rhyme Day function was held at Sunshine Meadows Play School in Sector 35, Chandigarh, on Monday. The tiny tots aged between 3 years and 5 years put up a grand show of singing and dancing. All kids performed wholeheartedly and energetically. They recited rhymes, along with actions, and danced to the rhythm of foot-tapping music. All parents felt elated watching their little ones on the stage. The audience was in splits when the children enacted the rhyme Chubby Little Snowman. International Day of Peace To mark International Day of Peace, Ryan International School, Chandigarh, organised a peace rally at the Court Palm Society, Zirakpur. Students of classes II-III visited the society with placards and doves spreading peace, love and affection all over. They interacted with the people and conveyed the message of making the earth a loving place to live. The students gifted saplings to the people at the society and created a lively atmosphere. Govt Model Sr Sec School-38 Various activities were organised to celebrate International Day of Peace at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 38 (West). Various competitions like elocution contest, essay writing and singing patriotic songs were organised in order to spread awareness about the importance of international peace and harmony among the students. An interactive session was also organised, followed by a plantation drive on the school campus. Gurukul Global School, Mani Majra Over 100 students of Gurukul Global School, Mani Majra, Chandigarh, and Yuvsatta volunteers stood in the evening at the Sector 17 Plaza carrying candles and wearing dresses of different nationalities and religions, giving the message of world peace, non-violence and promotion of human rights. Aruna Bhardwaj, principal of the school, said the students gave the message of vasudhaiva kutumbakam, which means that whole world is one family and all killings, crimes and war should stop immediately. Student brings laurels Rajkamal, a student of The Scholars Pubic School, got a silver medal in the fencing competition, which was held at Jind in Haryana earlier this month. He has also been selected for the national-level competition. Chairman of the school RK Singla and principal Beenu Malhotra congratulated both Rajkamal and his coach Raman Rana for bringing laurels to the school. - TNS

PU Notes

Interview schedules The Department of Political Science, Panjab University, has announced the interview schedule for MPhil candidates. All the qualified candidates, who have submitted their application forms for admission to the Department of Political Science, have been advised to appear for the interview on September 24 at 11 am in the Chairpersons room. They have been asked to bring their original documents at the time of the interview. Department of Economics The Department of Economics, PU, has announced the interview schedule for PhD candidates. The provisional merit list for PhD of the department will be displayed at the department notice board on September 30. The interview for the PhD course will be held on October 1 at 11 am in the Department of Economics, Arts Block No. 3, PU. All students have been advised to bring all original documents and certificates at the time of the interview. Deaths mourned Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover has expressed condolence over the demise of the former University Librarian, Panjab University Library, AR Sethi, who passed away on September 20. Sethi served as the University Librarian from 1995 to 2005. Prof Grover recalled his services to the university. AC Joshi Library staff also held a condolence meeting to condole his demise. The staff recalled his services in transforming the image of the library during his tenure and his dedication to profession. In a separate condolence message, Prof Grover has condoled the demise of the mother of former Registrar, Panjab University, Prof SS Bari (Chemistry). The cremation was held on Monday morning at Mohali cremation ground. - TNS