Reopening of schools: Students excited, but parents cautious

CONCERNS REMAIN

Reopening of schools: Students excited, but parents cautious

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

03.11.2020 

Fourteen-year-old S Nithya is excited after hearing the news of schools reopening this month as she has been longing to meet her friends. However, her mother Prathiba Selvaraj is worried.

“It is not safe. We are sure that children won’t be able to wear masks for such a long time and teachers cannot focus on their safety. If the schools ask us our consent, we will say no but if left with no option, we will send them,” she said.

Epidemiologist Dr Prabhdeep Kaur, mother of a teenager, said continued enforcement of protocols will be the key. “The number of cases has reduced and this is the right time to run a trial by opening schools and give children the opportunity to have lessons with teachers. But the government should ensure that standard operating procedures are followed at schools. Outdoor classes should be an option, hours should be fewer. And if cases rise, schools can be closed,” she said.

Corporation and government school teachers said about 75% of the students were willing to attend school. “We are happy as we haven’t been able to reach every student. We have begun preparations to reopen schools. We are awaiting government confirmation on guidelines. We were given one set of SOPs in September and are following it. We will provide mid-day meal as well and ensure children are nourished,” said assistant education officer of Greater Chennai Corporation V Munian.

Online classes may be more convenient for students in private schools, but those in rural areas and slums have little or no access to them, said V Sridhar, a former corporation school teacher. “However, constant vigil is required as government and corporation schools lack facilities,” he said. He said facilities of government schools should be audited before reopening and many don’t have functional fans and proper ventilation.

Experts said non-ventilated spaces spread the virus faster and teachers could turn spreaders if schools reopen. Anuradha Prasad, a parent, said studies have revealed that children harbour more Sars Cov 2 virus than adults.

“Even if it doesn’t affect them, they will become carriers and infect the elderly at home. And in winter other viral infections, dengue cases and respiratory illness are common. So the timing may not be right,” she said.

‘Decision to open schools ill-advised’

‘Decision to open schools ill-advised’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

03.11.2020

In a letter to state chief secretary K Shanmugam, former IAS officer Ashok Vardhan Shetty said the “decision to reopen schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu in two weeks is ill-advised”.

Shetty said it may “set at naught all the good work done so far”. Terming the move as a case of ‘haste makes waste’, Shetty said, “From the images of the milling crowds of Diwali shoppers, it is evident that a spike in Covid-19 cases is just around the corner. This is likely to be the case till all the festivals including Christmas and Pongal are over.”

Shetty cited the latest lockdown in the UK and said, “India/ Tamil Nadu cannot afford a second lockdown after what we have seen of the disastrous consequences of the first.

Moreover, November-December is the season for northeast monsoon and possible floods when schools and colleges may have to be closed for some of the days. It is also the season for various winter illnesses.”

Shetty said reopening of schools may be deferred “till after Pongal next year”.

Graft in paddy buying: Hang corrupt officers, says Madras HC

Graft in paddy buying: Hang corrupt officers, says Madras HC

Kaushik.Kannan@timesgroup.com

Madurai:03.11.2020

In a strong observation against corruption, the Madras high court on Monday said corrupt officials should be hanged, and only a death penalty would weed out corruption.

Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi of the Madurai bench of the HC became furious when they were informed that farmers were at the mercy of officials at paddy procurement centres and that corruption by more than 100 officials was identified during inspection. “Corruption is like cancer and is fast spreading. Officials involved in corrupt practices should be hanged. Death penalty should be awarded to weed out corruption,” the judges observed, expressing shock at officials demanding bribe from poor farmers.

HC asks about revisiting anti-corruption laws

When a public interest writ petition of activist-advocate A P Suryaprakasam highlighting corruption at the government’s paddy procurement centres in delta districts came up for further hearing on Monday, first the government flatly denied any irregularities at these centres.

However, a counter-affidavit filed by managing director of Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) stated officials were demanding ₹30 to ₹40 per bag for procurement of paddy. The affidavit said six special teams had conducted 1,725 inspections at procurement centres and action was taken against 105 officials found indulging in corrupt practices.

The judges pointed out the contradiction in the government stand and directed it to file a detailed affidavit explaining the nature of corruption of the 105 officials, number of FIRs registered against them and money seized from them.

Citing media reports that ₹2 lakh unaccounted cash was seized from a procurement centre in Tiruvallur district, the judges said the raid and seizure would prove the contention of the PIL-petitioner, who stated that officials were demanding bribe for procurement.

In his PIL, Suryaprakasam sought a direction to the state government to establish adequate number of paddy procurement centres across the state so that the produce could be procured from farmers without any delay.

During the previous hearing, the court shot a series of queries and sought details such as the number of paddy procurement centres in the state, whether temporary shelters have been put up to safeguard paddy during rains and the number of paddy bags damaged in rains. The court also sought to know whether or not officers demanded bribe from farmers and whether the authorities were procuring paddy from private traders instead of genuine farmers.

Adjourning further hearing by a week, the judges said based on Justice A K Rajan Commission’s report, the state had passed a GO in 2010 on holding officials at every level accountable. They directed the state government to explain the steps taken with regard to the GO. They also sought the Centre’s response on revisiting the Prevention of Corruption Act provisions, so as to award higher penalty to officials involved in corrupt practices.

The court also asked the state for details of the 105 officials who sought bribe and money seized from them

Don’t need IoE status for Anna University, TN govt tells Centre

Don’t need IoE status for Anna University, TN govt tells Centre

‘VC’s Proposal On Finance Unsustainable’

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:3.11.2020

Rejecting a financial proposal submitted by vice-chancellor M K Surappa regarding Anna University, the state government has informed the Centre that the university, the premier engineering institution of the state, does not require Institute of Eminence (IoE) status. Tamil Nadu has also withdrawn its proposal submitted to the Centre in 2017 regarding the status, highly placed sources said.

A five-member ministerial committee constituted to study the issue of IoE status for the university and the the institution’s financial sustainability in December last year, has recommended against conferring the status recently. This comes in the wake of an uproar over Surappa’s proposal to the Centre that the university can generate revenue through its own resources. “The state government conveyed to the Union education ministry (erstwhile HRD ministry) on Thursday the ministerial committee’s final report. The government also said Surappa’s proposal is not financially sustainable, since there is no chance of the institution generating revenue on its own,” a source said.

Will do with our own funds, what IoE status can do, says TN govt

Anna univ running on deficit budget

Higher education minister K P Anbalagan told TOI, “We will do with our state funds whatever the IoE status can do. Don’t forget that the Centre has offered IoE status to Anna University because of its reputation,” When contacted, Surappa said he had no clue about the state’s rejection of his proposal. “I don’t know about it,” he said. Surappa had written to the Centre on June 2 that the varsity could generate ₹314 crore per year (₹1,570 crore in five years) through internal resources. The varsity will not be indenting for extra grants other than its annualblock grants and additional grants and therefore the IoE status should be retained, he said.

The state sought an explanation from the VC after controversy erupted over his financial proposal. “The state informed the Centre that the amount Surappa had talked about, included surplus of affiliation and examination feefrom affiliatedcolleges. This cannot be diverted for the IoE status, it said. The varsity is run on a deficit budget estimated at₹349.74croreduring the last fiscal,” the source said.

OCI Card Issued To Foreigner On Spouse Basis Liable To Be Cancelled Upon Dissolution Of Marriage; Bombay HC Rejects Canadian Woman's Plea

OCI Card Issued To Foreigner On Spouse Basis Liable To Be Cancelled Upon Dissolution Of Marriage; Bombay HC Rejects Canadian Woman's Plea: The Bombay High Court earlier this week held that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card issued to someone of foreign origin is liable to be cancelled upon dissolution of marriage by a competent...

VC appointee relieved of responsibility

VC appointee relieved of responsibility

Executive Council Of DU Approves Probe Against Tyagi

Shradha.Chettri@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  30.10.2020

A day after the President, the visitor of Delhi University, ordered an inquiry against vice-chancellor Yogesh Tyagi, the Executive Council approved the probe on Thursday. It also constituted a fact-finding committee to ascertain the facts of the recent tussle over top posts. The EC also resolved that P C Jha, appointed interim registrar and director of South Campus by Tyagi, would not hold any administrative position till the completion of inquiry.

On Wednesday night, Jha reportedly responded to the memorandum issued to him on October 24 by the other contending registrar, Vikas Gupta. Jha said that he would abide by all the instructions and directions given by the appropriate authorities. Jha reply states, “I was under the impression that as per DU Act and statutes and ordinances, I have to obey instructions given to me verbally or written by the vice-chancellor. Therefore, I replied to all the letters communicated at the appropriate time and issued various notifications. I understand there were contradictory communications amongst the academic community which led to some scale of confusion.” This response was also placed before the EC.

The Union education ministry had also directed Gupta to ascertain if Jha was a DU employee and to act against him for replying to the ministry’s letter as the registrar. Jha was first asked to refrain from issuing notifications and working in contravention of the university’s statutes on October 24. He was given three days’ time to reply. After Jha continued to issue notifications, another notice was sent to him on October 27 giving him 24 hours to respond.

Rajesh Jha, elected EC member, said, “For the events since October 21, Dr Geeta Bhatt has also been issued a memo and the administration will decide on the action on the basis of her reply.” Bhatt was appointed pro-vice-chancellor by Tyagi in place of incumbent acting vicechancellor P C Joshi, the provice-chancellor.

The proposal of J L Gupta to have one university representative in the visitorial inquiry panel under Section 7A, Clause 3 of the DU Act was accepted. Ashwini Shankar, chairman of teachers’ group INTEC, said, “Natural justice warrants the constitution of a fact-finding committee to enquire into the entire episode of October 21, 22, and 23 which has been a blot on the prestige of the university.”

National Democratic Teachers Front described the probe against Tyagi as a “muchneeded step to prevent the nearly century-old university slipping into an existential crisis”. Its president AK Bhagi said, “The government gave professor Tyagi many chances to streamline functioning and end adhocism. It is obvious the VC’s main aim was to cause turmoil and disaffection against the central government and UGC through his negative actions.”

CENTRE OF ATTENTION: Viceregal Lodge

High cut-off for medical admissions expected as scores in NEET soar

High cut-off for medical admissions expected as scores in NEET soar

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  30.10.2020

The cut-off marks of NEET for admission to undergraduate medical courses are set to rise steeply this year with a huge increase in the number of top scorers.

Comparison of data on NEET-UG scores for the two years, accessed by TOI, revealed that 111 candidates scored 700 and above out of a total of 720 marks this year, compared to just three in 2019. The number of those in the 650-699 score range is 3,903 this year against 1,022 last year. This year, there are 16,167 candidates scoring in the range of 600-649 while the figure was 6,892 in 2019.

37,500 more aspirants scored 500+ marks in NEET this yr

Counselling for registration and choice-filling by candidates for 15% all-India quota seats, conducted by the directorate general of health services (DGHS), is on. Most states are likely to conduct their counselling for admission to MBBS/BDS courses by the second week of November.

Total number of MBBS seats under NEET 2020 has increased with AIIMS and JIPMER (Puducherry) also coming under it to admit students to undergraduate courses. In all, a little over 80,000 MBBS and 38,000 BDS seats will be available for the aspirants this year, including nearly 42,500 seats in government-run institutions, including AIIMS and JIPMER. There will be an additional 10% seats under quota for economically weaker sections (EWS).

Compared to 2019, there are 37,512 more candidates scoring 500 marks or more this year compared to 2019. A total of 87,093 aspirants scored 500 marks or more in NEET-UG 2020 compared to 49,581 in 2019. And 56,857 more candidates scored 400 marks and above this year.

Kerala, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana witness a significant increase in the number of top-scorers. Kerala leads the way with 643 candidates scoring 650 and above against 115 in 2019.

From Rajasthan, the number of candidates scoring 500 and above marks increased from 7,659 in 2019 to 11,698 in 2020. Maharashtra also saw a significant jump in the number of high scorers, with 220% increase in the number of candidates scoring 600 and above marks this year. Tamil Nadu witnessed the highest jump in number of candidates scoring 600 and above marks — 1,029 this year against 146 in 2019.

“These are surprising numbers and will impact the cut-offs for undergraduate admissions this year. The toppers used to be predominantly from Rajasthan as it has become the capital of coaching where students are treated like they are in military camps. I have personally visited Kota to see this regimental coaching. Kerala is also surprising,” said Dr S Kumar, chancellor, Sri Devaraj Urs University, Kolar.