Choice Based Education Now

Mohammed Younus
Students of higher education institutions of the State can now pursue different courses simultaneously and carry credits to another institution. Though this system is already being implemented in certain courses at post-graduate level in some universities, the Centre wants it to be extended at undergraduate level from next academic year.

Human Resource Ministry had recently announced that the higher education will be made flexible with the implementation of Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) across all the universities in the country. To this end, the Centre had asked States to implement the scheme from next academic year. It also asked the education ministers of all States to constitute committees to study the challenges and hurdles in the implementation.

This system will allow a student of under graduation to attend one more or extra course of his/her choice apart from that s/he is engaged in. This is a student-friendly measure that allows greater flexibility and helps them to earn credits from the extra course which can be transferred if they move to another institution. In the present conventional system, both marks and grades are used. The effectiveness of the same scheme at PG level, however, has not been assessed yet it is implemented in some State universities of Telangana, including Osmania University.

Moving ahead with the scheme, the Centre wants the same to be followed in the UG programmes. In this case, a student of Science can now choose a certain subject of his/her choice from any other stream. Telangana Higher Education Council chairman T Papi Reddy said that the intention of this scheme was to enhance the multi-faceted learning among students at higher levels. He said that this would give students the exposure of various topics during the course time.

He said, “This is already being implemented in some universities and after thorough assessment a framework would be formed for implementing it in all the universities in the State.” State Education Minister G Jagadish Reddy also conducted a meeting with experts and higher education council officials recently. He said that the Centre’s move was intended to strengthen the higher education in the country with flexible methods.

Salient points
- Student can select a wide range of subjects apart from basic course offered by university.
- Facilitates inter-disciplinary approach.
- Credits obtained by students are movable from one university to other.
- Credit is a kind of weightage given to the hours of learning in the prescribed syllabus, which is in a segmented form. Normally one credit is allocated to 15 hours of learning. 
- In each of the courses, credits will be assigned on the basis of the number of lectures/tutorials/laboratory work and other forms of learning required for completing the course contents in maximum 18 week schedule.

Fake Faculty in Engineering Colleges

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Police have speeded up investigation in the alleged fraud roster system for maintaining faculty members by minimum 16 engineering colleges in Rangareddy, Nalgonda and Khammam districts. The police raided these colleges after a formal complaint was lodged by the Registrar of the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad stating that several engineering colleges were running with the same faculty members. 

These 16 engineering colleges are among the 174 colleges that were debarred from taking part in the Eamcet 2014 counseling last year by JNTU for failing to fulfil the mandatory AICTE norms

These 16 engineering colleges are among the 174 colleges that were debarred from taking part in the Eamcet 2014 counseling last year by JNTU for failing to fulfil the mandatory AICTE norms. It has come to light that during the second round of inspection by officials, these colleges were indulging in dubious practices by showing ‘fake’ faculty members. The registrar of the varsity complained that the colleges have taken the services of middle men for recruiting temporary faculty only for the period of inspection. 

However, no arrests have been made in this regard. The police have slapped cases against the college managements under Section 420 and 109 of CrPC. The complaint also states that these colleges were fooling officials and inspection teams by presenting fake student list for the sake of claiming fee reimbursement from the government. Responding to the development, Telangana Engineering and Professional College Managements Association chairman N Goutham Rao said that due to lack of faculty at the time of inspection, the managements of some colleges might have appointed lecturers in hurry without verifying their teaching details. 

He said that this could be the mischief of some teachers working as Assistant Professors and Associate Professors in different colleges. He however denied any role of managements and said that proper scrutiny by police officials will clarify the matter. JNTUH authorities have informed that complaints would be filed against several other colleges which have committed a similar mistake. “Presently, the complaints have been lodged only against colleges with concrete evidence,” said an official from the university. However, no arrest has been made in this issue so far by the police.

Fake Certificates For Schools

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : An alleged foul play in the issuance of Extension for Temporary Registrations (ETRs) by the staff of the Hyderabad District Education Officer and Regional Joint Director has come to light. Information obtained under the RTI Act reportedly shows that dubious sanitation certificates for private schools that are issued by the GHMC are being validated by the DEO and RJD office staff to issue false ETRs to certain private schools in the city.

Availing of an ETR requires nine documents including safety, sanitation, and transport certificates generated by the GHMC. Every school is issued these certificates from its respective municipal circle office. But this is not the case with some private schools. According to RTI activist Matam Mallesham, “Sanitary certificates issued to the schools in question were not matching with their respective area of operation or GHMC circle. Instead, those certificates have been issued by the circles other than that of the schools located.”

Information obtained reveals that many schools do not possess certificates issued from their respective municipal circles.

He added that, “ETR is issued by the DEO after verifying the documents produced by the managements of schools. However, it has been observed that mandatory documents have been generated by the staff of DEO and RJD for procuring ETRs.” The information obtained reveals that many schools do not possess certificates issued from their respective municipal circles. For example, Ravindra Bharathi School from Santhosh Nagar comes under Circle No 1, but was issued the sanitary certificate issued from Khairatabad Circle number 4. 

Similarly, Narayana E-Techno School from Saidabad was granted the certificate by municipal authorities in Khairatabad. It is alleged that Khairatabad’s municipal office is a hub for issuing these false sanitary certificates. Other such schools that have obtained certificates from Khairatabad are Jyothi Bala Mandir High School in Moosarambagh and Krishnaveni Talent High School in Madannapet that belong to Kapra. Complaints had been made to higher authorities with regard to these false Sanitary Certificates but no action has been taken so far.

The RTI reply also shows that several schools have produced certificates with improper seals and signatures though issued by the same circle. Chaitanya Techno School in Nallakunta and Blue Birds High School in Musheerabad have been issued certificates from GHMC Abids circle authorities, but the seals look completely different. Mallesham points out that it is the handiwork of employees working with DEO and RJD office who are involved in this racket.

The applicant Mallesham has submitted a complaint to the School Education Commissioner and sought action against the responsible persons behind this whole episode. He sought a complete enquiry into this matter and alleged that officers in the DEO and RJD were involved in generating fake certificates to facilitate the illegal practices of private school managements.

Corporate Lobby Responsible For EAMCET Mess

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Even as the tussle between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments continues unabated over who should conduct EAMCET and other common entrance tests, educationists in the state are pointing a finger of suspicion at the corporate lobby for the stalemate. They are of the firm belief that the real beneficiaries of this mess appear to be the corporate educational institutions, who have been batting on behalf of Andhra Pradesh in various fora to ensure that the common examinations are conducted only by the Andhra Pradesh Council of Higher Education.

Educationists in the State are of the belief that the real beneficiaries of this mess are corporate educational institutions who have been batting on behalf of Andhra Pradesh in various fora to ensure that common exams are conducted only by APSCHE 

They observed that the nexus between greedy corporate institutions and government had flourished unchallenged for decades. Telangana Political JAC chairman Prof M Kodandaram said that there was absolutely no harm if the test is conducted by the TS Council of Higher Education and it has legal sanctity for that. He lamented that the only reason why Andhra Pradesh government was opposing this idea is that they could neither continue manipulation in the examinations nor fix ranks for CET examinations like EAMCET, if it is conducted by the Telangana government.

He said, “The business of corporate educational institutions is directly linked to good ranks. There has been a nexus between corporates and previous governments in the undivided State. They then used to run the show. This education mafia was resorting to manipulation in various examinations in such a way that only certain institutions used to get good ranks, and if the TS government conducts the test, these corporate managements would be out of business.” 

TSCHE vice-chairman S Mallesh expressing his doubts on the over-enthusiastic lobbying by AP government for conducting EAMCET said, “There must be some hidden agenda that is driving AP government to demand holding of common CETs in two States. Otherwise, the admission procedure would remain the same as in the past and students from other State could get admissions in the 15 per cent open quota.” He said that Section 75 of the AP Reorganisation Act states that institutions listed under the schedule 10 should serve both the states without any discrimination. “Section 95 says that the admission procedure should be continued as in the past in light of Article 371 D of Indian Constitution,” he added. 

He said, “We have decided to go separately for CETs after taking the advice of the Telangana Advocate General. We are clear in our stand.” A higher official from Telangana government on the condition of anonymity, however, said that a minister in the AP cabinet has been lobbying hard for the common test for both the States to be conducted by APCHE. On the other hand, AP Council chairman L Venugopal Reddy said that whatever the AP government has decided was as per the Act and the council was only acting as a nodal agency to do whatever it has been directed to do.

Telangana Engineering and Professional College Managements Association chairman N Gautham Rao said that there would be absolutely no problem if the Telangana Higher Education Council conducts the test separately. The apprehension that AP students would be at loss if the test is conducted separately is unfounded and false notion, he said adding, “Whoever conducts the test, as per the Reorganization Act, they have to give 15 per cent open quota for the students of both the States.” 

What Act Says
-Section 75 of the Act says that institutions listed under schedule 10 would belong to the State where they are located.
-Such institutions should extend their services to the other State without any discrimination
-Section 95 of the Act says that common admission procedure should be followed in all common examinations with 15 per cent open quota in accordance with the spirit of Article 371 D of Indian Constitution for ten years

StakeHolders
-Corporate institutions for better ranks
-Students of both the States appearing for the Test and their parents
-Engineering colleges in both the States, especially in and around Hyderabad
-Coaching institutions giving training for various CETs

Telangana Public Service Commission To Change Syllabus

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : An experts’ committee set up by the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) would hold its first meeting this week to discuss guidelines for formulating a new syllabus for competitive examinations. The 25-member committee headed by noted educationist G Haragopal would examine the present pattern of examination and formulate its own syllabus. The scheme of syllabus includes frame work of examination for candidates appearing for around 22 examinations that fall under the jurisdiction of TSPSC. 

It includes the number of questions, level of assessment and depth of questioning. After designing a suitable scheme, it would be presented to the government for approval. The social sciences part of the existing syllabus is set to change as per the policy decision of the Telangana government with an intention to include the history, culture, geography, art and literature pertaining to Telangana region. The experts’ committee includes professors of Geography, History, Literature and other social sciences.

The TSPSC needs its own syllabus that encompasses all geopolitical details of the state, a high official in the government on the condition of anonymity said, adding that that the syllabus is likely to change for a 200-mark single social sciences paper. He said that all competing candidates would anyhow understand the Constitution and history, but they should also know about the geo-political and social aspects of Telangana state as well.

The existing pattern of the examination consists of four parts out of which two parts pertain to social history and contemporary problems and rural development in the state for Group 2 examinations. On the other hand, for Group 1 examinations, the Paper II contains History and Cultural Heritage of India and Andhra Pradesh which would be replaced with that of Telangana.

Where would be the change?
Group 1
-Paper 2 of the Main examination carries questions on History and 
Cultural heritage of India along with AP
-It also carries questions on various social and cultural movements too

Group 2
-Paper 2 : Social and Cultural History of Andhra Pradesh would be replaced with that of Telagana
-Paper 2 consists of religious composition, movements in the state, 
Asafjahi dynasty, communist movement, end of Nizam’s rule and 
formation of Andhra Pradesh
-Other part comprises of questions on development aspects of the AP

Group 4
-Paper 1 of the General Studies consists of questions on history and 
culture of the state

Eamcet Schedule Very Soon

Metro news / hyderabad : Amidst a raging controversy, the State government on Monday said that the Telangana State Higher Education Council would release the schedule for EAMCET and other common entrance tests soon. As expected, EAMCET would be conducted by the TS council and if AP students want seats in Telangana, they would have to appear in the test conducted by TS council. The admission procedure after the results, however, would remain the same as in past.

Putting to rest apprehensions among students and parents, Education Minister G Jagadish Reddy said that the decision of Telangana government was conveyed to Governor E S L Narasimhan and the issue was later discussed extensively with Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. He said, “The Telangana government is very much authorized to hold these tests on its own as per the A P Reorganization Act.” He appealed to the students not to panic. He, however, said that even at this juncture if the A P government comes forward seeking the help of TS, “Our council will conduct test for students of AP along with Telangana.”

He reiterated that the stance of state government was repeatedly put forth before the Governor several times and the dates would be finalized in a day. He said that the ten districts of Telangana do not come under the jurisdiction of the AP Council and hence it was not authorized to conduct the test. Meanwhile, G Jagadish Reddy on Monday released the newly designed logo of Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education at the board office.

The logo contains the Kakatiya Arch representing the state of Telangana encircled with leaves emerging from the book in the bottom, representing the educational growth. The open book represents learning and the rising Sun represents the enlightenment of students with knowledge. The floral design around the logo represents the state festival Batukamma. The pink color represents friendship and prosperity.

Challenges Ahead TSPSC

Mohammed Younus / Hyderabad : Though the State government has appointed the chairman and members for the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC), the commission is facing three immediate challenges including insufficient staff, inadequate funds and inadequate space for it to carry out designated tasks. The commission requires about 350 employees for about 75 sections and a lot of space to accommodate them.

It is learnt that the commission officials have already written about the issue to the government, but there seems to be no breakthrough on this front. The Telangana State Public Service Commission as of now comprises a chairman, three members and a few other employees. On the other hand, out of 400 employees working with APPSC nearly 122 employees belong to Telangana. Presently, the second and third floors in the building are being used by TSPSC, while the fourth and fifth floors are being used by APPSC. 

Informed sources in the commission said that if the process of bifurcation starts, the allotment of space also needs to be finalised at the earliest. Another major issue for the commission is allocation of sufficient funds. All activities of the commission require sufficient funding by the State government. The budget allocation may take place after the issue of staff recruitment is resolved.

An officer in the commission, who did not wish to be named, said that the commission had already written about funds to Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. A letter was also sent asking for bifurcation of employees and to fulfill the requirement of staff to the commission.
He said that until and unless the existing hurdles were cleared, the commission could not take off and activities like releasing notification would also take more time.

Requirements of the Commission
-Staff, space and funds are major requirements
-Commission requires almost 75 sections
-Each section requires section officer, two assistant section officers, junior assistants and attenders
-Adequate space to accommodate employees
-Sufficient funds to for the commission