Chandigarh, Tuesday, December 28, 1999
Chandigarh, Tuesday, December 28, 1999 |
Urdu an ignored language From Dr Mohammed Ayyub Khan IT certainly is good news for Urdu lovers that the Haryana Government has proposed to appoint JBT Urdu teachers in the near future. Already the government has appointed at least 100 Urdu teachers in primary schools. In the new millennium a language that is not popular cannot be expected to become a means for gainful employment. Science teachers’ bane Tutorial
system is best Missionary
schools needed |
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Urdu an ignored language IT certainly is good news for Urdu lovers that the Haryana Government has proposed to appoint JBT Urdu teachers in the near future. Already the government has appointed at least 100 Urdu teachers in primary schools. In the new millennium a language that is not popular cannot be expected to become a means for gainful employment. After Partition, Urdu was reduced to secondary status in some states of India, thanks to the three-language formula. Owing to some of its inherent qualities, the language has survived. One can also be grateful to the Indian cinema for this. If we have a look at the three states of Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in the context of Urdu learning, we find some activity at the official level. The Haryana Urdu Academy has played a constructive role in promoting the language in the state. As many as 100 Urdu teaching centres were run throughout the state over a short span of time. Similarly, the Language Department of Punjab conducts Urdu classes in all district headquarters. Perhaps, such work is being undertaken only in Solan in Himachal Pradesh. When we look at educational institutions in the three states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh only Panjab University is conducting a postgraduate-level course in Urdu. However, there is no provision for teaching the language at the graduation level in any of its affiliated colleges. In Malerkotla, Government College teaches Urdu from 10+1 to the post-graduation level. Yaseen Meo College, Nooh, in Haryana is the only institution that has a graduation-level course in Urdu. In addition, Urdu certificate courses have been introduced in the universities of these states. Happily, Punjabi University, Patiala, has started a diploma course and its Correspondence Courses Department has provision for degree classes. On an experimental basis, the university has Urdu optional for students doing MA in Punjabi — only in the campus. It is essential that this experiment is extended to affiliated colleges. Only in Himachal Pradesh Urdu is taught as the second language in the ninth and tenth classes. In Punjab some private schools and in Haryana as well as Himachal Pradesh Madarasas teach Urdu as the first language. Nevertheless, there is shortage of teachers in the region. For example, in Malerkotla Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Government Boys High School and Government Middle School, Jamalpura, share only one Urdu teacher among themselves, even though there are several vacancies for this post. On December 2, 1999, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Punjab Chief Minister, had urged the Education Department to initiate steps to fill the vacancies. The Badal Government, in its first term, had announced that as and when at least 10 Urdu students become available, a teacher would be appointed. In this connection, this writer has a list of 213 schools, which is too long to be given space here. In these schools, belonging to Malerkotla Division only, more than 10 Urdu students are available. One agrees with Dr Kehar Singh, Chairman of the Punjab School Education Board, when he states that by learning of languages the human thinking power is enriched. He has stressed that in Guru Granth Sahib Persian, Sanskrit, Punjabi and their various dialects have been given their own distinct place. Clearly, without the knowledge of Persian and Sanskrit one cannot fully understand Guru Granth Sahib. Persian becomes easy to learn if one knows Urdu. First, Urdu should be introduced in primary classes and then in the higher classes. Ideally, Urdu optional classes could be started in colleges where those eager to learn the language are available. Losing Urdu would result in the loss of an important part of Indian culture and history. Slogans such as “Azadi” and “Inquilab zindabad” given by the Urdu language are testimony to its role in the country’s independence movement. Before the demise of Urdu, the government should help revive it. This will enrich our cultural heritage and literature. Incomparable poets like Meer, Ghalib, Iqbal, Prem Chand, Krishan Chander, Bedi and Manto are the gifts of this language. Even today this language can produce thinkers of similar stature if it is encouraged. It is a fact that even today there is a large number of Urdu lovers in the country as evidenced by the popularity of ghazals. Thus, all that is needed
for the language to prosperous is state patronage. |
Science teachers’ bane The faculty of science seems to be a discriminated let in government schools of Haryana. As a result, while the standard of teaching has not improved the subject is reported to be one of the least popular ones among rural students. According to Education Department sources, one of the main grievances of science teachers is the lack of higher education facility for in-service teachers. The education qualification on any science teacher remains more or less the same after he or she join the service. The demand of teacher to allow them to acquire higher qualifications like MSc., M.Phil or Ph.D. has not been met by the authorities so far. The aggrieved teachers claim that teachers in the Arts faculty are allowed to do M.A. or M.Phil in their subjects. They claim while the arts teachers have the chance to get promoted to a higher scale, the same is denied to science teachers. According to Mr Anand Swaroop Kaushik, president of the Haryana Vigyan (Science) Adhyapak Kalyan Sanghathan, the policy of the Education Department in not allowing the science teachers to pursue higher education is discriminatory and has been proved a major hurdle in proper education of science subjects in government schools in Himachal Pradesh in-service teachers are allowed to get themselves enrolled in MSc. or Ph.D with pay, he points out, whereas in Haryana the teachers are not allowed even study leave for the purpose. As a result, he says several science teachers in the state have switched over to arts subjects in order to get promotion. The science teachers on several occasions have represented the matter to the state government and the university authorities, but so far nothing has been done. Describing the trend as “internal brain drain” a retired science teacher says one of the reasons behind the shortage of science teachers is faulty planning. He alleges that government schools have been paying proper attention towards teaching of this science subjects. The practical assignment in various classes are minimal. He claims while laboratories in most schools are only in name, a majority of students get little chance to work in these. It is learnt that while the study material is not revised regularly, the schools do not have practicals for biology, chemistry and physics exams. One teacher teaches all streams up to the matric level while CBSE schools have special teachers for different subject. Although there is a
provision for government grants for science, it is
reported that it has been hardly used for development of
the science faculty. The Haryana Vigyan Adhyapak Kalyan
Sanghathan has demanded changes in the policy of the
Education Department. |
Tutorial system is best THE best part of my life, around two decades, was spent at Panjab University. This turned out to be a glorious period and I made the best of it, despite my guide’s assessment at the London school of Economics where I was a research student in the late 1950s that I would not make a successful teacher. However, I proved him wrong. It was my determination that brought me to the university when I was around 40. I braved hard struggle to establish myself in the new career. It entailed a lot of reading. I sat at my desk for hours, even spent sleepless nights. Ultimately it was teaching, project and research work as well active involvement in student activities that became a passion with me. As per my experience, to be a successful teacher one must be well prepared before entering the lecture room. It is essential that the teacher knows well what is to be delivered. Second, while a lecture may be well prepared but if it is not deliver well, the teacher will never be successful. The art of successful delivery has also to be practised. Third, for a successful teacher it is important that a lecture is delivered and not dictated. Students must be encouraged to use the library. Incidentally, the habit of giving assignments to students is now gradually on the way out. This is an unfortunate development. The system of tutorials should be encouraged. This is the best way to build confidence among students as well prepare them for the exam. I have often rewritten my lectures delivered in the classroom and quite often discovered new ideas which ultimately formed the base for further study, ultimately ending in a good paper for a journal or just a matter for further research. Don’t discourage students seeking a clarification. Often teachers discourage them from intervention. Some even go to the extent of admonishing them. I would confess to my students I couldn’t be a perfect teacher and at that I wanted to benefit from their intervention. Of course, it would be inadvisable to enter into a lengthy argument in the class. The tutorial system is the best way to make the student write a clear and well developed answer. Remember, most students will not be able to write good answers for the exam just by listening to class lectures or taking down notes. The right aim of
education is to cultivate the process of thinking among
students. They should not just take things for granted
but try to look deep into them. |
Missionary schools needed BARSAR is an upcoming subdivision in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. The village by the same name is situated on the Una-Aghar-Mandi highway, half way between Hoshiarpur in Punjab and Mandi. It has been an old administrative stronghold since the British era and home of a large number of heroes of the two World Wars. Geographically known as ‘Nadaunta’, the administrative status of the Barsar was raised to that of subdivision in 1966. The subdivision is now fit to be made an independent district. However, from the point of view of availability of education, the area is an island. There are 15 government high and higher secondary schools within a radius of 20 km of the subdivision headquarters. These turn out nearly 3000 matriculates or plus two students every year. Only a few lucky ones are able to go in for higher education. That is so because the existing colleges and other institutes of higher learning are too far. The villagers lack the means to send their wards to expensive distant places of learning. Accordingly, these villagers have been pleading for a government college at the subdivisional headquarters. The present MLA, like his predecessors, had promised at least one government college at Barsar. He has yet to fulfil his promise. It is worth mentioning that during the last consolidation of land-holdings, the Barsar panchayat earmarked a 75-kanal plot exclusively for a government college. Dozens of private English-medium schools have sprung up in the subdivision. But these are generally manned and run by persons who are themselves little qualified. Most of the proprietor-principals of these ‘public’ schools have little hold over written or spoken English. What is needed is missionary institutes like DAV public school or a convent school. The Central and state
governments on their own part will do well by sanctioning
for this area at least a kendriya vidyalaya, an arts and
science college and an ITI. Starting a few training
courses for nursing and midwifery at the local Primary
Health Centre will also be welcome. This will go a long
way in rehabilitating a large number of war widows. |
Campus
scene CHANDIGARH: Millennium or no millennium. Already the mood on the Panjab University campus is ecstatic and everyone is ready to welcome Y2K. Most of the departments have organised contributory parties and hostels too are witnessing a flurry of activity. “High-spirited” students are pooling in money to host a New Year party in their own style. The authorities, though do not want to act as a wet blanket, yet are keeping a close watch as drunken brawls and untoward incidents cannot be ruled out. Meanwhile, thanks to a grant of about Rs 85 lakh, Boys Hostel 6 is being extended. The new block would have 114 rooms and would be functional by the next academic session. * * * * Fed up with the hop-skip attitude of job-seeking students, the placement cell of the University Business School has issued a two-paged “code of conduct” for management postgraduates. The circular is being termed a “routine affair” as January 14 to 28 is to be observed as placement fortnight by the department. Top companies are expected to descend on the campus then. Already companies like ITI, BILT, CMC, to name a few, have shortlisted a few postgrads. Interestingly, no student is willing to latch on to a job with Punwire this year. * * * * A fun trip to Mumbai-Goa, being organised by the campus students’ council, has found just a few takers. The trip is slated for 2nd week of January (a date is yet to be finalised) and Rs 2,500 would have to be deposited by those keen to join. “Till now, we have received very few inquiries, “ says the DSW and adds that the modalities for the trip are yet to be chalked out. * * * * The university’s academic staff college organised an orientation course for teachers of northern states. The course would continue till December 28 and the next course is slated for March. The university also intends to start a refresher course in library sciences for which a formal nod from the UGC is awaited. * * * * Teachers from the campus and other universities of India are to participate in a national meeting being organised by the All-India Federation of Teachers Association (AIFUTA) at Hyderabad on December 27 and 28. “Besides discussing pay anomalies in various states, a discussion on ‘Crisis of Higher Education,’ would also be held,” according to an AIFUTA spokesperson. * * * * A national conference on
early childhood welfare was organised by the Education
department in collaboration with the Indian National
Portage Association (INPA) on December 21 and 22. More
than 150 delegates attended the conference, which was
inaugurated by the Food & Supplies Minister, Punjab,
Mr Chiranji Lal Garg. The minister announced a grant of
Rs 25,000 for INPA and a souvenir was also released. Dr
Tehal Kohli, Chairperson, Department of Education,
highlighted the child welfare activities of INPA. The
presidential address was given by the DSW of the
university. |
Career
hotline I am a diploma holder in Engineering. Is there any way. I can join the Indian Navy with my qualifications. Balbir Singh, Amritsar Sure there is. Diploma holders with minimum 50% marks in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Telecommunications, Aeronautical, Ship Building, Instrumentation, or Metallurgical Engineering from Government recognised polytechnics or institutes can join the Indian Navy as Direct Entry Diploma Holders. What is fashion accessory designing? Where does such a designer work? Jasveen Kaur, Mohali Designers of fashion accessories such as belts, buckles, buttons, handbags, gloves, scarves, etc. work for the fashion industry, as freelance designers or as craftspersons who design and make these accessories. Large firms may employ staff designers or more frequently, commission freelance designers. Small workshops and firms usually work for orders from fashion houses or for particular wholesalers and retail outlets. Fabricators working on their own may design and make up a limited range of special orders or produce a range of accessories to try and find an interested buyer. Whatever the method, a flair for anticipating what is going to be popular combined with some luck in making contact with a firm or outlet at the right time, is essential for success. Courses in accessory designing are offered by most of the good schools of fashion designing in the country including NIFT. I am a Class XII student with geography, economics and political science as my subjects. I am interested in geography and economics but am undecided as to which subject will benefit me more as regards a career. Please advise. Kanwar Yadvinder Singh Bajwa, Chandigarh From the career point of view, Economics as a subject will certainly offer wider options than Geography. While Geography provides specialised and limited job options, a graduate in Economics has bright prospects both in the public as well as private sectors. In fact if Economics as a subject interests you, you could sit for the entrance exams to the following courses, just after your 10+2.
You can also enrol yourself for the Company Secretary Course. I am doing bachelor’s in business economics from Delhi University. Since it is a newly launched course, can you tell me as to what job prospects I have after completing this course. Usha Kaul, Ambala City To begin with, even straight after your Bachelor’s in Business Economics, you could appear for The Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination conducted by the UPSC almost every year. The age requirement is between 21-28 years. If you clear the test and interview, you could be absorbed in the various economic and statistical departments of the Central Government such as the Planning Commission, the National Sample Survey, the Central Statistical Organisation, the Indian Statistical Institute, etc. Working in the Planning Commission can be particularly rewarding as economists in this service are involved in planning and development of policies for the country and in preparation of the budget. Economists are also employed in the state Bureaux of Statistics and Economics, the Ministry of Labour, the National Employment Services, the Ministry of Agriculture and other government departments. You could also sit for the Civil Services. Examination which is also conducted by the UPSC or other competitive examinations held by the State Service Commissions, Life and General Insurance Corporations, nationalised banks, etc., where economics is permitted as one of the subjects. While the Staff Officer-Grade A Examination is conducted by the Unit Trust of India, the Staff Officer Grade A & Staff Officer Grade B Examinations are conducted by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board. Also, Probationary Officers Examinations are conducted by various Banking Service Recruitment Boards in the country. Private companies employ
business economists to plan strategy and operations,
assess and analyse market factors, costs and sales,
labour and productivity, raw materials, equipment and
customer demand. As a Business Economist, you may also
specialise in market research or international trade,
exports and imports. There are well-paying jobs in
banking and financial institutions as well. As a matter
of fact, a number of recruitment advertisements for
Management Trainees ask for MBA/Economics degree as the
desired qualifications. Besides teaching, you could also
take up business journalism in television or newspapers,
economics journals and business magazines as commercial
editors, business reports, feature writers, economics
analysts and commentators. In fact, business journalists
are amongst the better-paid journalists today. |
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Armed Forces Jan 25 Indian Army, Additional Directorate General of Recruiting, West Block-III, R.K. Puram, New Delhi 110066.
Elig: Unmarried women. Graduates to be born between Sept 2, ‘75 — Sept 1 ‘81. Postgraduates in Biochem/Comp App/Microbiol/Org Chem/Phy/Maths/Eng/History to be born 2 Sept., ‘73 — 1 Sept., ‘79. Appln Format: See Employment News Dec 25. Computers Jan 28 University of Delhi, Department of Computer Science (North Campus), Arts Faculty Extn Bldg., Delhi-110007.
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (50% agg) (10+2+3) in any discipline of Master’s degree (50% agg) with one paper in Maths and one paper in Maths/Comp Sc/Stats/Op Research. Selctn Test: 12 Mar. Appln Form & Info Bulletin: Send Rs/ 25/-by DD favouring “Registrar University of Delhi”, payable at New Delhi along with a self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 12-) envelope (10”x7”) to Sh. S.K. Soni, Office in-charge, at the above address or by DD at counter. Corresp Courses Jan 24 Kurukshetra University, Directorate of Correspondence Courses, Kurukshetra 136119. Ph: 01744-20518, email: de@kuk.ernet.in; Website: http://kuk,ernet.in
Elig: LLB (Professional ) (50% agg), practising advocates with 2-yrs exp or in-service persons working in state/Central Govts/Autonomous Bodies/Public Ltd. Cos with 2-yrs exp in supervisory level. Appln Form: Send Rs 100/- (Rs 70/- for SC/ST) by DD favouring the “Registrar, Kurukshetra University” payable at Karukshetra/Thanesar along with two self-addressed slips or Rs 70/- (Rs 40/- for SC/ST) in cash at counter. Request letter envelope to be marked “Code No. CC-99. Jan 20 University of Hyderabad, Centre for Distance Education, P.O. Central University, Hyderabad 500046. Postgraduate Diplomas (1 yr, Corresp): (1) Computer Science (PGDCS) (2) Planning & Project Management (PGDPM) (3) Environmental Education & Management (PGDEM) (4) Translation Studies in English (PGDTSE) (5) Translation Studies in Hindi (PGDTSH) (6) Human Rights (PGDHR) (7) Television Production (PGDTVP) (8) Library Automation & Networking (PGDLAN) (9) Telecommunication (PGDTC) (10) Energy Management (PGDEGM) (11) Chemical Analysis & Quality Management (PGDCAQM) (12) Professional & Organisational Ethics & Values (PGDPOE) Elig:
Appln Form: Send Rs 150/- by crossed DD favouring “The Finance Officer, University of Hyderabad” on any nationalised bank payable at Hyderabad, to the Asst. Registrar (DE) or Rs 125/- in cash at counter. Indian Institute of Cost & Management Studies & Research, 85/1, Law College Road, Pune-411004. Ph: 020-331972, email: search@giaspn01.vsnl.net.in 1. Master’s in Computer Mgmt (MCM) 2-yr F/T) 2. Master’s in Personnel Management (MPM) (2-yr F/T) Elig:Bachelor’s degree (55% agg). Selctn: Scores in ATMA (Feb 20), interview. Appln Form: Send Rs 450/- byDD favouring “Director, Ind Search” Payable at Pune before Feb 19 or Rs 400/- in cash at counter. Jan 31 Nirma Institute of Management, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, PO: Chandlodia, Ahmedabad-382481.
Elig: Master’s degree (55% agg or 2.70 CGDA on a 4.0 scale) or BE/BTech (I Div) with 2yr work exp. Selctn: Written test and interview. Test at 4 centres including Delhi and Bangalore. Appln Form & Prosp: Send Rs 500/- by DD favouring “Nirma Institute of Management” payable at Ahmedabad. Feb 17 K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research, Vidyanagar, Vidyavihar, Mumbai 400077. Ph: 5140006/5106552, email: simsr@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in
Elig: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Selection: Written test, GD/Interview. Test at 17 centres including Delhi, Chandigarh & Bangalore. Appln Form: Send Rs 850/-by DD favouring “The Director, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research” payable at Mumbai or Rs 800/- in cash at counter. Feb 15 National Board of Examination (an autonomous body of the M/o Health & Family Welfare), MG Marg, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029.
(1) Broad Specialities (26) (2) Super Specialities (11) (3) Direct 5-yr Course after Internship (3) Primary and Final Examination: Primary on 9 Jul and Final on 8 & 9 Jul. Elig: For Primary Exam:
For Final Exam:
Appln Form: Send Rs. 40/- by DD favouring “National Board of Examinations” payable at Delhi along with a self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 18/-), envelope (30x15 cms) marked “Appln for the Diplomate of NBE (Primary/Final) indicating the subject in the Final Exam, to the Office of the Executive Director at above address or by DD at counter. In Bangalore, Forms available at the office of the Director, St. Martha’s Hospital, Bangalore 560001. Nuclear Science & Engineering Jan 10 Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Training School, Mumbai 400085. Nuclear Science & Engineering (1-yr Orientation Course) In fields like Mech, Chem, Metall, Electl, Instru, Electron, Comp, Civil, Phy, Chem, Biomed and Environ. Selctn: Written test and interview. Elig & Appln Format: Employment News 18-24 Dec. Social Sciences Tata Instt of Social Sciences, Post Box No. 8313, Deonar, Mumbai 400088. Feb 29 1) MA in Social Work Jan 28 2) MA in Personnel Mgmt & Industrial Relations. Mar 31 3) Master of Health Admn 4) Master of Hospital Admn May 19 5) Certificate in Social Welfare Admn Elig: For 1): Bachelor’s degree, (i) Arts/Comm/Sc/Engg (45% agg); (ii) Law/Med/Nursing (50% agg). For 2): Bachelor’s degree (i) Arts/Com/Med/Law/Nursing (50% agg); (ii) Sc/Engg (55% agg). For 3 & 4): Bachelor’s degree in any discip (50% agg). Age: below 45 yrs. Those holding administrative position in health sector preferred. For 5): Bachelor’s in any discip with 3-yrs work exp in soc welfare progs. All Bachelor’s degrees (min 3 yrs) Appln Form: Send Rs. 250/- (For 1-4) (For 5: Rs. 20/-) by DD favouring “Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai” along with a self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 30/-) envelope (20 x 25 cm). Free Appln forms for unemployed SC/ST (must be supported by copy of caste certificate) who are whoseparent’s/guardian’s anl.income is below Rs. 50,920/- (supported by income certificate). Women Entrepreneurship Programme Dec 30 College of Applied Sciences for Women (DU), Jhilmil Colony Vivek Vihar, Delhi 110095 Entrepreneurship Programmes (sponsored by D/o Biotechnology, Gol) Bakery & Flour Confectionery; Processed Fruits & Vegetables, Jams & Jellies, Squashes, Dairy Products, etc. Elig: Unemployed women graduates. Appln Form: Apply on plain paper giving brief bio-data to the Principal Investigator at above address. Unless otherwise specified, the dates mentioned above are deadlines for receipt of completed application forms. CARING (Career
Information & Guidance), New Delhi. |
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