The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

Physical education courses in bad shape
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 30
Punjab is considered to be state with a tradition of sporting success where youth from rural areas prefer to pursue their career in physical education.

The state on the other hand is least bothered about upgrading this subject and the future of those already studying physical education courses seems to hang in balance with National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE) not approving any course related to the subject so far. Rather, the council has given instructions to college authorities to run these courses at their own risk.

According to sources, neither the government nor the universities are doing anything to revive the subject. The students and experts in the field had raised hue and cry over the bleak future of the subject. After this, the Panjab University constituted a seven-member committee look into the matter in detail. The committee members met on July 19 to discuss the whole issue. Sources say the committee is considering a decision to convert the four-year Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) course into a three-year one.

One of the committee members said that future of students of physical education still remained uncertain as the courses were neither approved nor affiliated by the concerned authorities.

In its recent notification to all the universities, Punjab government has asked to admit students to B.P.Ed one-year course, which will be conducted only at Physical Education College, Patiala, through entrance test.

"The government has issued such instructions to streamline the process. Only students from rural areas or those having a poor background take admissions in these courses. But many colleges affiliated to different universities are violating these directions by admitting students without conducting any entrance exam. This means that needy students, who take admissions in these courses will suffer as it will not be recognised by the university or the government,” said a principal of a college.

From Schools
Sawan celebrated at Small Wonders
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 30
The kids of Small Wonders Nursery School, Ludhiana, were treated to a colourful and traditional fiesta today during Sawan celebration in the school premises. Kids had a gala time dancing away with their umbrellas in the artificial rain created specially for the occasion. Girls sang melodious Punjabi songs and tappas in the ‘Kiddies Sangeet’, organised by the teachers.

Poetry recitation in KVM

Kundan Vidya Mandir School, Ludhiana, today held a Hindi poetry recitation competition for kindergarten classes. Headmistress Namita Raj Singh presided over the function. Students of LKG and UKG participated in poetry recitation followed by a colourful dance performance by tiny tots of UKG. Results of competition are as follows: Jashanpreet of LKG stood first while second prize was bagged by Anshika Bhatia. In UKG, first prize went to Prapti and Ridhi Jain while Vidhi Jain stood second.

KVM Talent hunt

Energetic, exuberant acting extravaganza marked the talent search contest of the Kundan Vidya Mandir for the students of the middle section. Over 60 students participated in the contest which was conducted by Kalpana Sharma, incharge of the Junior Humanities Forum and student comperes Shreya Markanday, Anupama while Isha Aggarwal, President of the Junior Humanities Forum proposed a vote of thanks. Four English plays by famous playwrights and two Hindi plays were performed. Kumud was the judge of the contest, the results of which are as follows: Best play - Musaddi Lal Ka Ticket - Patel House, A marriage proposal - Gandhi House, A careful rapture - Subhash House. Best student directors - Rahat Verma - 7D, Uditi Jain - 8A, Karan Arora 8C and Poojan Chhibba 8C.

Eco Fest kicked off

An Eco Fest kick started at Ryan International School here today. The fest is an effort to create awareness and sensitise people about global warming. The week-long project was flagged off by Dr M.S. Kang, vice-chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, who was also the chief guest on the occasion. The project, a brainchild of chairman of Ryan School, Dr A.F. Pinto, is a venture of the School and Resident Welfare Association, Urban Estate, Ludhiana. Dr Kang planted a few trees on the occasion while principal Jaishree Gupta exhorted the students to work for a “better greener universe”.

Teej celebrated

Teej was celebrated with great fervour at Everest Play Way and Nursery School today. Girls dressed in traditional Punjabi suits added to the colourful extravaganza. The tiny tots mesmerised with gidda and bhangra.

B-school to offer dual management degree
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 30
The students of the first batch of Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) of Synetic Business School (SBS) have passed out with flying colours.

Director Dr S.M. Zahir said today that from the academic year beginning August 2007, SBS is making further improvements to its autonomous PGDM by offering it simultaneously with MBA programmes that will be offered through UGC and Association of Indian Universities (AIU).