EDUCATION TRIBUNE Tuesday, June 20, 2000, Chandigarh, India
 


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Fee hike unjustified
By V.S. Mahajan
R
ECENTLY the Punjab Government announced its decision to hike fees for financing higher education without considering the paying capacity of an ordinary family. The fees hike is unjustified to have a five-fold increase in a single go is bereft of all norms of social justice. No longer families with limited incomes would be able to afford it. Education is going to be beyond their means.


 

 








 


Tap alternative sources
Fee hike unjustified
By V.S. Mahajan

RECENTLY the Punjab Government announced its decision to hike fees for financing higher education without considering the paying capacity of an ordinary family. The fees hike is unjustified to have a five-fold increase in a single go is bereft of all norms of social justice. No longer families with limited incomes would be able to afford it. Education is going to be beyond their means.

Even so, the government admits that such a hike would hardly provide a viable solution to the problem.

This being, there arises a need for finding alternative sources, more sensible and lasting, to close the widening gap between resources and the cost of higher education. A careful study would certainly help to explore alternative routes for tackling this mess in our educational system.

First, there is a need for rationalising teaching departments and weeding out or downsizing those which hardly serve any useful purpose.

Of course, initially a lot of home work is needed to be done before we are able to undertake this exercise. A survey of most institutions would reveal that they are still burdened with a pre-Independence type of educational system which no longer fits into the present highly professional atmosphere. In fact, such an outmoded system is a big drag on our scarce educational resources and sooner we got rid of it the better it would be.

Instead, thrust should be on those courses which conform to the current need of students as well of society. We should adopt a pragmatic approach to our educational system, professional and result-oriented. We should adopt a new mindset if we have to move fast in the coming years.

This would also provide our administration relief in expenditure on education - incidentally here again we have to learn a lot from the US system of administration and management of higher education.

Second, while state universities as well colleges occupy prime lands, we have hardly made the best use of such opportunity. Why not convert at least a part of such possession into income-yielding business centres. We should learn from the experience of some of our own universities (like Jadavpur in Calcutta) which has already created its business premises which is yielding a good return.

Unfortunately much of the land on our universities and colleges lies unutilised; in several cases it has turned into wasteland for lack of resources. Why not convert at least a part of such land for business purposes?

The fear that such business centres would interfere with the normal functioning of these institutions is unfounded for these centres would not encroach on the teaching premises, for these are going to be located on empty land and would occupy nominal space.


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CA R E E R    H O T L I N E

 

I am keen on a career in Music. Could you please tell me about the institutions imparting training in music and also the job prospects in this field.

Pankaj Kapoor, Chandigarh

Music, either vocal or instrumental, offers a choice of careers mainly in performing and teaching. In every sphere of music - vocal or instrumental, classical or light (non-classical/semi-classical), stage or playback - the competition is pretty keen as there are several professionally qualified and talented musicians.

Before you become a professional vocalist or instrumentalist, you need proper training and regular riyaz (practice or rehearsal). Traditionally this begins very early in life under a qualified ‘guru’ so that the student can fully assimilate both the theoretical as well as practical aspects of the music.

Although music is offered as part of the curriculum in most schools, several private institutes also impart training in different styles of music. Many established performers also run their own schools of music.

A number of universities in the country offer professional training in music in the form of degree and diploma courses in this field. At the undergrad level, a Bachelor’s degree in Music (BMus) or Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Music (BFAM) or Bachelor’s in Folk Music can be pursued after Class XII. Incidentally, Delhi University offers Music (Hon) at five colleges at the undergrad-level and has even introduced BA (Pass) with music at Bhagini Nivedita College. If you wish to study further, you can do a MMus (Master of Music), an intensive postgraduate programme of 2 years duration.

Full-time jobs for qualified and talented musicians are available in radio, television and government departments of culture. Appointments are made on the basis of educational qualifications and performance in audition and/or screen tests. Certain schools and colleges also offer full-time jobs for music teachers. Professionally trained musicians may also set up their own schools and offer training programmes for different age groups.

Talented performers may not always pursue music as a full-time profession but combine a full-time job with freelance work as a TV/radio/stage artiste. The other options for musicians include composing music for films, advertising jingles, serials and documentary films on TV, doing music reviews, or reporting on musical performances as correspondents or critics for newspapers and magazines. You can either give solo performances or start your own band and organise concerts at clubs, restaurants or perform at social or religious functions.

I am a Class XII student keen on doing a course in Aeronautical Engineering. Please advise.

Yogesh Dhiman, Ludhiana

Aeronautical Engineering deals with the design, construction and maintenance of both commercial and military aircraft. A course in this branch of engineering encompasses a study of fluid dynamics, material science, structural analysis, propulsion and electronics. This course offers specialisation in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, propulsion, structures, celestial machines, acoustics and guidance and control systems.

After 10+2 (PCM), you can take up a course in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering at the following institutes:

  • BE (4 yrs): University of Chennai, Centenary Buildings Chepauk, Triplicane PO, Chennai 600005. Eligibility: Class XII with Physics, Chemistry and Maths or Vocational Stream (Engineering and Technology) or Diploma in Engineering or BSc (Applied Science).

  • BE (4 yrs): Hindustan College of Engineering (Univ of Chennai), Old Mahabalipuram Road, Padur, (Via) Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103.

  • Anna University (M.I.T.), Chennai, offers 4-yr BE/BTech and 3-yr BTech (for BSc degree-holders under Lateral Entry Scheme). Diploma-holders of State Board of Technical Education (60-70%) are also eligible. Selection Procedure: Merit in qualifying exam/entrance test (TNPCEE).

  • BE (4 yrs): Punjab Engineering College (affiliated to Panjab University), Chandigarh 160012. Eligibility: 10+2 with English, Physics, Chemistry and Maths as subjects. Selection Procedure: Entrance test.

  • BE (4 yrs): Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh 160014. Eligibility: Class XII with 50% marks in English, Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

  • BTech (4 yrs): Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), PO IIT-Powai, Mumbai 400076.

  • lBTech (4 yrs): IIT, IIT Post Office, Kalyanpur, Kanpur 208016.

  • lBTech (4 yrs): IIT, PO Kharagpur Technology, Kharagpur 721302.

  • lBTech (4 yrs): IIT, IIT PO, Chennai 600036.

  • l Associate Membership Exam of the Aeronautical Society of India.

The Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) conducts an Associate Membership Examination twice a year. Sections A and B of this examination have been recognised by the M/o Education, at par with a Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from an Indian university for purposes of recruitment to supervisory posts in Govt. as well as Public Sector Undertakings. Hence aeronautical engineering can be studied at this Society through correspondence. The examination consists of 3 parts — Studentship, Section A and Section B. The minimum educational qualification for appearing in the exam is a pass in Class X. Students who have cleared 10+2 with science subjects are eligible directly for Section A. For further information, you may contact the Aeronautical Society of India, 13-B, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi 110002.

Entrance to IITs is through a common entrance test (IIT-JEE).

The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and the four IITs also offer postgraduate and research programmes (super specialisation) in virtually all areas related to Aeronautical Engineering.

I have got only 45% marks in Class XII boards. As it is a very poor percentage, should I appear for the exam again and how should I go about it? I am very confused and dejected.

Anirudha, Ferozepur.

Cheer up! You have a number of options to choose from:

a) Appear for the Class XII exam from the CBSE Board as a private candidate either from your own school or from any other school affiliated to CBSE that will permit you to do so. For further information contact: CBSE, Shiksha Kendra, 2-C, Centre, Preet Vihar, New Delhi-110092.

b) Your second option is to appear for the CBSE Class XII exam through Patrachar Vidyalay, (D/o Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi) Timarpur, Delhi 110054. The Delhi Sr. Secondary Exam is conducted by the CBSE for students studying through correspondence in all three streams.

c) The third option is to appear for the class XII exam through the National Open School (NOS). It provides you an opportunity to study and pass a subject that you may have fared poorly in either high school or the 10+2 of the CBSE syllabus. Contact their nearest study centre or Head Office at B-31B, Kailash Colony, New Delhi - 110048.

d) The fourth option is to enroll for an undergraduate degree through the distance education programmes offered by the Delhi University as well as several others. If you do well in the first year, you can even hope to migrate to a full-time course in the second year.

Also, even if you were to complete your graduation entirely through distance education from DU, your certificate will not mention anything to that effect. Moreover, a good percentage at the graduation level will compensate for relatively poor performance at the school level.

Of course the last option may not be the ideal one for you if you are hell bent on joining a professional course straight after class XII like Engineering, Medicine or Architecture for instance, which cannot be done through correspondence or pursued at the postgraduate level like some other professional courses e.g. MBA, MCA, Masscom etc. which are open to students of all streams.

Pervin Malhotra, Director

CARING (Career Information & Guidance), New Delhi


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D E A D L I N E 

Armed Forces - Territorial

Jun 28 Territorial Army (TA), Army HQ, ‘L’ Block, New Delhi-110 001.

  • lRecruitment of Officers

Elig: Employed graduates, male Indian citizens or medically fit Ex-Service officers.

Age: 18-42 yrs as on 20 Jul.

Appln Form: Ex-Service Officers: send Rs. 10/- by IPO favouring "ADG, TA, Army Headquarters" to Addl. Directorate General at above address before June 28.

For Civilians residing in J & K, HP, Har, Del, Punj & Chandi: Send Rs. 10/- by IPO favouring "TA Group Commander" to Commander, TA Group HQ, Western Command, Bldg No. 750, Sector-8-B, Chandi 160018.

Art & Design

Jun 27 Govt. College of Art, (Ch’garh Admin), Sector 10-C, Chandigarh 160011.

Ph: 0172-742873

Bachelor of Fine Arts (4

Applied Art; Painting; Graphics (Printmaking); & Sculpture.

Elig: 10+2 (40%) (35% for SC/ST).

Appln F: Send Rs. 150/- by MO favouring "Principal" at the above address mentioning your add on the reverse of MO form. Or from counter: Rs. 120/- cash.

Jun 29 Visva Bharati, Silpa Sadana, Santiniketan, Birbhum 731236

Ph: 03463-52451/52481

Diploma Courses (3 yr):

  1.  Textile Technology (Handloom)

  2.  Furniture Tech & Interior Des

  3.  Pottery & Ceramic Telch

Elig: Madhyamik (50%) with Eng, Maths & Physical Sc. Age: below 21 yrs (24 for SC/ST) on Jul 1.

Selectn: Aptitude Test.

Appln F: Send Rs. 30/- by IPO favouring "Assistant Accounts Officer, Visva-Bharati", payable at Sriniketan PO along with a self-addressed stamped (Rs. 5/-) envelope (23 x 10 cm) to the above address.

Jul 22 Central Footwear Training Institute (M/o Industry, GoI), 5/157, Vikas Sheel Bharat Comp, Transport Nagar, Agra 282002.

www.cftiagra.com. Telefax: 0562-320271

Diploma in Footwear Design & Production (2-yr)

Elig: 10+2. Age: 17-25 yrs on Oct 1.

Appln F: Send Rs. 125/- by DD favouring "Director, CFTI, Agra" at the above address. Or from counter: Rs. 100/- cash.

Arts — Performing

Jun 30 University of Delhi, D/o Music, (F/o Music & Fine Arts), Univ Road, Delhi 110007.

  1.  PhD/MPhil (Philosophy)

  2.  MA (Arts 2-yr)

  3.  BA (Hon 3-yr)

  4.  Dip in Sangeet Shiromani (1-yr)

  5.  Cert Course (1-yr) (only for foreigners)

Appln F: Send Rs. 50/- for each course by DD favouring "Registrar, University of Delhi, Delhi" payable at SBI, (Code 7687), along with a self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 12/-), envelope (25 x 17 cm) to K. S. Krishna, Section Officer at the above address.

Computers

Jun 25 Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005.

  1. Bachelor’s in Computer Application (BCA)

  2. Bachelor’s in Information Technology (BIT)

Elig: 10+2 (50%)

Appln F: Send Rs. 450/- by DD favouring "Registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar" or Rs. 400/- in cash, from: Khalsa College, DAV College, Hindu College, Amritsar; Information Centre, GNDU College, Lyallpur Khalsa College, APJ College of Fine Arts, HMV, Jalandhar, SPAB College, Pathankot.

Jun 30 ML Sukhadia University, Computer Centre, Science College Campus, Udaipur 313001.

  • MCA

Elig: Bachelor’s degree (10+2+3) (55%) (pass marks for SC/ST) with maths at degree level.

Test: Jul 22.

Appln F: Send Rs. 130/- by DD favouring "Director, Computer Centre" payable at Udaipur. Or from counter Rs. 100/-, cash.

Distance Education

Jul 12 Annamalai University, Directorate of Distance Education, Annamalainagar 608002.

  •  MBA (3-yr)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Candidates with work ex preferred.

Appln Format: Send Rs. 280/- by DD favouring ‘‘Director, directorate of Distance Education, Annamalai University’’ to the above address. Or from counter Rs. 250/-, cash and New Delhi Study Centre Ph: 6087638.

Engineering

Jul 03 Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (Deemed Univ) PB No. 32, Patiala 147 001.

1. ME

Regular: CAD/CAM & Robotics; Civil (Geotechnical); Civil (Sructures); Electronics & Comm, Indstl & Software Engg.

Part-time: Civil (Structures), Environ, Indstl & Mech (Heat Power).

2. PhD:

Chem, Civil, Comp Sc & Engg, Electl & Electronics, Mech & Industrial Engg.Schools: Basic & Applied Sc, Biotech, Mgt; Environ Sc & Tech.

Appln F: Send Rs. 525/- by DD favouring "Registrar, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala" payable at Patiala till June 26. Or from counter: Rs. 500/- cash.

Jun 30 Maulana Azad College of Tech (autonm REC), Bhopal 462007 (MP).

MTech/MArch (FT: 11/2 yrs, PT 21/2 yrs): in 13 disciplines

Elig: GATE Scores

Appln F: Send Rs. 100/- by crossed DD/IPO to MACT, Bhopal.

Details Employment News 10-6, Jun

Hotel Management

Jun 30 Food Craft Institute, Badkhal Lake Chowk, Faridabad 121001

Ph: 5412115. E-mail: [email protected]

Diplomas:

  1. Food Production

  2. Food & Beverage Service

  3. House Keeping

  4. Front Office Operation

Elig: Sr Sec (10+2) or equiv with knowledge of Eng. Age: 22 yrs (25 yrs for SC/ST)

Appln Format: See leading national newspapers.

Hotel Mgt / Nutrition & Dietetics

Jun 30 Institute of Hotel management, Catering & Nutrition, Pusa, New Delhi 110012.

  1. PG Dip in Accommodation & Mgt (11/2 yrs)

  2. PG Dip in Dietetics & Hospital Food Service

  3.  Craft Course in Food Production

  4. Courses for Housewives

Elig: For (1): Bachelor’s degree with Eng. Age: 28 yrs (31 yrs for SC/ST) as on Jul 1.

For (2): Bachelor’s degree in Home Sc; Nutrition; Sc; Life Sc/Microbiol/Biochem. Age:22 yrs (25 yrs for SC/ST)

For (3): Class X (10+2 pattern) with Eng. Age: 22 yrs (25 yrs for SC/ST) as on Jul 1.

Appln F: For (1), (2) & (3): Send Rs. 60/- by MO favouring "Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa, New Delhi 110012". Also, available in cash, Rs. 50/- at counter.

For (4): In cash Rs. 10/- from Instt’s enquiry counter.

Life Sciences

Jun 30 School of Life Sciences, DA University, Vigyan Bhawan, Khandwa Rd Campus, Indore 452017 (MP)

MSc: a) Indstl Microbiol; b) Life Sc

Elig: a): BSc (H) (60%) in Microbiol or BSc (Gen) with any 3: Microbiol, Chem, Zool, Bot, Biochem.

b): BSc in any branch of biol (50%)

Test: Jul 5

Appln F: Send Rs. 150/- by crossed DD favouring "Head, School of Life Sciences" payable at Indore.

CARING (Career Information & Guidance), New Delhi

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D I A R Y 

Fast writers get results

RESEARCH carried out for the Teacher Training Agency, UK, suggests that handwriting speed is a factor in student achievement, regardless of ability, reports BBC. In the study, carried out at a large UK comprehensive school, pupils who achieved higher than expected GCSE English grades wrote faster than those who underachieved. They also had a better handwriting style, indicating that quality of handwriting is also strongly associated with achievement. The research involved 1,192 students. The study reveals that slow writers had problems with poor motor co-ordination, spelling, letter formation, word shapes and discrimination between upper and lower case. Researchers also found that boys in year 7 wrote more slowly than girls, but increased their speed each year. By year 11, they were slightly faster than girls. However, the boys had a higher frequency of handwriting problems than girls. The report suggests handwriting should be taught throughout secondary school, a practice that could be of particular help to boys.

Thailand’s education reform

ON May 16, with the opening of the new school year, Thailand launched an ambitious reform of its educational system for the first time in over 100 years, says a DPA report. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who reigned between 1868-1910, implemented a thorough reform of the education system, but since his enlightened rule there have been no new revolutions in the classroom. As a result, Thailand’s education performance has lagged behind its neighbours. In August 1999, the government finally passed the National Education Act, promising 12 years’ free public schooling for all Thai citizens, decentralisation of the education bureaucracy and a dramatic shift from rote memorisation to student-centred learning. Arguably the most important outcome of the Act has been the removal of reform process from Thai politics. "Our governments change often, so the policies approved by one government are turned down by the next,’’ said Rung Kaewdang, secretary-general of the National Education Commission. With this Act, Thailand has assured some continuity in the reform process.

More respect, please

AMERICA'S top teachers are grateful for the higher salaries that more and more state legislatures are approving to make public education a more attractive profession, but the maestros of the classroom also want greater respect, a new survey shows. The survey of 400 winners of teacher-of-the-year awards was commissioned by the Council of Chief State School Officers, an association of state education officials, and Scholastic Inc., a global children’s education publishing and media company. Its purpose: to learn why teachers leave the profession. A large majority of the teachers polled said higher starting salaries and all-around better pay is needed. But an even larger majority, 84 per cent, said respect is key to keeping good teachers. Faith Kline, Pennsylvania’s Teacher-of-the-Year 2000, quotes the old adage: If you can’t do something, teach it. "That (adage) speaks volumes for what the public feels about teaching. People say they respect teachers, but they don’t demonstrate that respect," Kline told Stateline.org. — KSBTop