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National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Patna has started the classes of its first academic year with 60 students. 30 students are doing Bachelors of Design in Fashion Communication, while the remaining 30 students are pursuing Masters Degree in Fashion Management. At present, the institute will run from temporary premises of a Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority building near Gandhi Maidan, Patna. Bihar government has sanctioned 10 acres land and Rs. 586 million for the institute. The construction work and infrastructure build-up will be completed by the end of this year. Out of total sanctioned money, 270 million will be spent in the current financial year for initial setup of the institute. Currently, faculty members from Delhi, Hyderabad and other branches will be teaching the students on rotation basis, till the branch does not gets its own permanent faculty members.

After the successful opening of new IIT’s in Gujrat and Rajasthan, a new IIT was inaugurated in the capital city of Patna. At present, the land has not been allotted for the institute and will be operating from the temporary campus of a polytechnic. For the time being, IIT – Guwahati will act as a mentor in running the institute, till permanent staff is not recruited. The Bihar government has chosen the site for the institution, and infrastructure setup will be done on priority basis. A full time director will soon be appointed for proper administration and speedy set up of the institute.

State Government of Uttar Pradesh has announced the grading system policy for schools associated with Mid Day Meals (MDM) scheme. Following the complaints of sub-standard food being served in several districts of UP, including Barabanki and Allahabad, government has formulated this grading policy. Under this scheme, schools performing well will be awarded points on the basis of pre-defined metrics. Points will be given for good quality food, better hygiene, keeping records of beneficiaries. Schools securing the highest grades will be given incentives from the MDM department. This will encourage better administration and distribution of meals in the schools.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) is the most prestigious institute in India for pursuing engineering studies. Lacs of students take part in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and only handful of them are selected for these premier institutes. In recent years, the number of students reaching the merit threshold has increased significantly. Is this a healthy sign of fair education policy and better education system or is it something else? Some of the IIT caretakers feels the other way. They are concerned over missing the raw talent of the country behind JEE. Today, thousands of coaching institutes have popped up in every corner of the country, giving coaching to IIT aspirants and helping them crack the exam with minimum efforts. These students get well equipped by practicing anticipation of paper pattern and solving similar pattern of problems. The result is that some of the raw talents of the country remains behind in the race and these paper cracking aspirants takes the front seat. IIT caretakers are aware and concerned of this fact and some of them have even suggested to completely change the structure of Joint Entrance Examinations.

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has submitted a plan of Rs. 100 billion to University Grants Commission (UGC) to improve its academic standards and over all infrastructure. AMU is planning to offer 168 new courses apart from creating well equipped laboratories, new libraries, filling up more faculty positions and creating new sections in campus. AMU is one of the leading and prestigious university of North India, with a rich heritage and history. Since the inception of new technology and courses, university has progressed at a steady pace and now wants to expand & standardize its academic structure. The modernization plan was handed over to the UGC team, who recently visited the university campus.

Hearing the plea of group of medical aspirants, Delhi High Court has issued notice to Delhi University over its alleged failure to give reservations to OBC candidates in various courses. In their petition the group has alleged, that despite of apex court upholding the governments decision to provide 27% reservation to OBC candidates, Delhi University has not fulfilled the same and has refused to give quota to OBC candidates in various medical colleges. The High Court has asked DU to clarify, why have they failed to provide reservations to OBC candidates in various colleges.

100 primary schools run by Municipal Corporation Of Delhi (MCD) have been chosen for self defense classes for girl students. Selective schools have been chosen that are more prone to sexual abuse and physical violence. Students will be given Judo and Karate training, along with deployment of security guards in the schools. Female attendants will also be appointed to keep watch at sensitive areas in these schools. Deployment of security guards was planned much earlier by MCD during the upgradation plan of schools. Key areas have been identified, where security situation is under question and schools from these areas have been selected for the aforesaid training program.

Following the complaints of legislators in Assembly about non-conformance by CBSE/ICSE schools, Maharashtra government is all set to assert their increased authority over these schools. Legislators complain that despite fee hikes, state government does not have enough control on these schools. Currently, the state has limited functionary control over these schools and is only involved in granting No Objection Certificate (NOC), after auditing the land and resources to meet the minimum pre-requisites. Minister of State for School Education Hasan Mushrif, has indicated the government intentions to formulate a policy for greater control over these schools. If the aforesaid policy is implemented, state government will be in position to have more say in fee structure and similar important decisions.

So far the primary and secondary education institutes in India have strived to stay put to their own standards. Private schools and government-aided schools have set forth their own standards regarding school governance and therefore have remained away from a universal accreditation system. However, the foremost accreditation agency of India, Quality Council of India, has started approaching the schools to get accredited. The board, called National Accreditation Board of Education and Training, has developed the procedures for schools that seek the accreditation. Schools have to apply for the accreditation process, which is followed by the inspections and assessment by a team of professionals from the agency. Schools are supposed to be fully prepared for the inspections as the inspection team checks even minute details. In case the school or governance is found as non-standard the school is given suggestions to act upon. If the school succeeds in plugging the loopholes and provides the best practices, the school is awarded the accreditation. Is School Accreditation Necessary? School accreditation is not obligatory. But by getting accredited the schools can enhance and improve the quality governance and management in the school. The accreditation provides uniform standards and also helps in identifying well managed and provided schools in India. The system is based on similar pattern as those in US, Netherlands and Australia. The agency has a checklist and awards score to the respective schools. Some important parameters in the checklist include: Education Quality Management Governance and Management Resource Management Education Service Realization The school accreditation, once it is awarded is applicable for four years and after that renewal is sought by the agency.