Tips to crack TOEFL

In a situation where more number of students are taking up TOEFL exam these days, it is prudent to know the means of cracking this test easily.

TOEFL® English language test is the most widely accepted screening which is recognized in more than 8,500 institutions, over 130 countries.

Completing your admission process can take much of your time. But, with TOEFL, you only need to take one English-language assessment if you want to study in Australia, the U.K., Canada, or the United States, as it is accepted at nearly every higher education institution.  Plus, the TOEFL test can be completed in one day.

The TOEFL iBT® test is divided into four sections Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. 

Here are some useful tips to help you do your best:

Learn more about a favorite topic and share what you learned with a friend.

Listen to Podcasts, recorded lectures, and read articles on your favorite travel destination. Determine the main idea, major points and supporting ideas to be presented. Practice presenting what you learned to a friend or family member.

Find a speaking partner, preferably with an original English speaker or try an online video chat! The more occasions you have to speak English, the more familiar and comfortable you will become. 

Flash Cards:  Create your own vocabulary cards and carry them wherever you go. Its a great way to practice and pass the time!  Pull them out while traveling and use the time well.

Reading Tips: Learn to summarize and paraphrase the passages that you have read. Use outlines to assist in organizing your ideas. Practice reading to improve your comprehension. Become familiar with reading and answering questions on a computer screen, as this is the format used for the TOEFL iBT test.

Speaking Tips: Read a short article from a newspaper or magazine aloud. Give a one-minute oral summary of the article. Express your opinion regarding the article. Do you agree or disagree with the content presented? If there is a problem discussed, outline a solution. Practice pronunciation. Speak slowly, annunciating every syllable.

Writing Tips: Watch your favorite television show. Write a summary of the episode. Explain the television program, the way it made you feel, and how it was similar or different from past episodes. Have a family member read your essay.

Make use of available free resources:

It's good to use the free resources to assist you in studying for the TOEFL test including:

TOEFL® Go Anywhere website (www.TOEFLGoAnywhere.org): A website dedicated to assisting students in mastering the TOEFL test, including free sample test questions available at http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/prepare/sample_questions,assistance locating a TOEFL test site near you,  and access to TOEFL® Journey™ (available at http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/user/toefl-journey),  an interactive program that assist students as they begin to think about studying abroad.

TOEFL® TV Channel on You Tube® (www.youtube.com/user/TOEFLtv/featured): Benefit and learn from videos sharing best practices and study tips regarding English language learning and the TOEFL test from English-language teachers, students who have taken the TOEFL test, as well as universities and colleges around the world.

TOEFL® Go Anywhere India page on Facebook®
(https://www.facebook.com/toeflgoanywhereindia): Join the more than 130,000 students and learn the latest events and information pertaining to the TOEFL test in India.

TOEFL Customer Support Center: Have a question about the TOEFL test? The TOEFL India Customer Support Center offers guidance and timely information for students regarding the TOEFL test. The center is accessible by phone toll-free directly from India, MondayFriday from 9 a.m.5 p.m., India Standard Time, at 000-800-100-3780. In addition, student inquiries can be sent via email to TOEFLsupport4India@ets.org.

Plan your test day: Remember the things you need at the test center such as valid photo ID, water and a snack. Pack your bag the night before and set an alarm. Have a good night's sleep before the exam day. On test day, be sure to eat breakfast. Wear comfortable clothes and keep in mind of the climate of the season, so be prudent to choose the right clothing. 

Bharath University Conducts BEEE 2012 on May 27

Bharath University, Chennai invites application form for BEEE 2012 Entrance exam for admission in to the B.Tech, B.Arch. M.Tech, MBA, MCA and Ph.D courses commencing in the session 2012-13.

Eligibility:
Candidate should have passed 10+2 examination in science stream from a recognized board of examination.

Selection Procedure:
The candidates will be selected basis of BEEE 2012 score.

How To Apply:
Application form can be downloaded from the official website of Bharath University.

Important Dates:
Last date for submission of application form is May 17, 2012.
BEEE 2012 will be held on May 27, 2012.

Contact Details:
Bharath University,
#173, Agharam Road,
Selaiyur, Chennai – 600073.
Tel,: 044 – 22290742.

Question paper leak made no noticeable impact on JNV exams

New Delhi: Investigations into the alleged leak of question papers for admission to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas suggested that there was no "noticeable" adverse impact of these leaks on the conduct of examination, the government said.
 
This information was given in Rajya Sabha by Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal in response to a starred question.
 
Sibal said that the first phase of selection test for admission of students to Class VI in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas all over the country was conducted on February 12.
 
He said that there were some media reports that question paper for this exam had been leaked in some centres.
 
"Detailed investigations made by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) in this regard have indicated that one paper was known on 12th February 2012 only after examination was started which had no noticeable impact on the conduct of examination or the performance of candidates," Sibal said. 

NCERT asked to remove Ambedkar cartoon from textbooks: Sibal

New Delhi: Agreeing that Ambedkar's cartoon in an NCERT textbook was objectionable, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said orders have been issued to withdraw it and stop distribution of these books, and promised concrete action in the matter.
   
Responding to concerns expressed by members in Rajya Sabha, Sibal said the Government will also examine whether any criminal offence was made out against those who drew or included the cartoon of B R Ambedkar in the textbook.
   
Admitting that there were many other objectionable cartoons of political leaders in NCERT textbooks, he said his Ministry has decided to constitute a Committee of experts to look into cases of all such objectionable cartoons and remove them.
   
"When I got information in the beginning of April, I wrote a letter to NCERT that such a cartoon should not be there as it is objectionable...On April 26, 2012, I wrote to NCERT stating that it is considered advisable to withdraw the cartoon. After this, they set up a Committee to examine this," Sibal said.
   
"Then I called all textbooks and found there are many other such cartoons about other leaders which are objectionable. Then I decided to set up a Committee to look into all textbooks. I told NCERT to stop distribution of all books immediately," he said.
   
When asked by BSP member Mayawati as to what action the Government was taking against those responsible for inclusion of Ambedkar cartoon in textbooks and by when would action be taken, Sibal said, "Nothing objectionable about Babasaheb Ambedkar will be allowed and action will be taken so that this is not repeated."

Sibal, however, said, "it is up to the courts to decide what provisions of law have been violated," at which Mayawati asked him that the Government should move the courts and register FIRs.
   
Clarifying that the textbooks are made by an independent textbook authority - Textbook Development Committee, which comprise academics and not officials of NCERT.    

He said none of the existing members of the present Textbook Committee which approved this book will be part of the new Committee set up to examine objectionable cartoons. 

Higher percentage of OBC students in IIMs, IITs: Government

New Delhi: The percentage of OBC students among new entrants in IIMs, IITs and Central universities has increased in 2010-11 over the previous year, the Rajya Sabha was informed.
    
Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said during Question Hour that the percentage of OBC students among new entrants in IIMs and IITs in 2010-11 was 23.05 per cent and 23.61 per cent respectively, against 14.52 per cent and 20.38 per cent in 2009-10.
    
Similarly, the percentage of OBC students among new entrants in Central universities increased to 19.09 per cent in 2010-11 from 13.52 per cent in the previous year. 
    
Sibal also said the total percentage of OBC students "currently enrolled in IITs, IIMs and Central universities is 18.98 per cent, 24.3 per cent and 14.2 per cent respectively."
    
He also said the government has allocated an additional Rs 2,166.89 crore to Central universities and Rs 4,227.46 crore to centrally funded technical institutions for 54 per cent capacity expansion in each of the central institutions to provide OBC quota without reducing general category seats.
    
Sibal said the government has also decided to amend the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admissions) Act, 2006, to enhance the period of implementation of 27 per cent reservations for OBC in central institutions, from 3 to 6 years.
    
The amendment would also ensure that even in the central institutions located in the north eastern states and those located in areas covered under 6th Schedule of the Constitution, OBC reservations are provided to the extent possible, he added. 

34 complaints received about anomalies in mid-day meal scheme

New Delhi: The government said 34 complaints of various irregularities in the Mid-Day Meals Scheme (MDMS) had been received by the Human Resource Development Ministry in 2011.
 
"During 2011, 34 complaints of various irregularities such as poor quality of food (9), misappropriation (9) and irregularities (16) had been received by this ministry," Minister of State in the HRD Ministry D Purandeswari said.
 
The minister was responding to a question in Rajya Sabha.
 
She said that these complaints had been forwarded to the states and Unions Territories (UTs) for further action who had reported that in 21 cases, the complaints had been found to be baseless.
 
Purandeswari added that action had been taken against erring persons in cases where the complaints had been found correct. 

Working women in urban India put career ahead of motherhoo

New Delhi: Working women in urban areas give precedence to their career and professional ambitions over plans to start a family, an Assocham study said.
 
The survey was conducted on about 1,200 married, young working women and home makers in cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune. 
 
Over half of married women in the aforesaid centres said they have shelved plans to start a family as career advancement and higher-education is their priority and cannot sacrifice the same to raise kids.
 
The Assocham study showed about 200 respondents from the working women category said they have put off their plans to have a baby as it would disfigure their physical appearance.
 
"Ambitious working women in India are not willing to give up their career for the sake of family as they are apprehensive about dealing with stress," said Secretary General D S Rawat while releasing the study.
 
Nearly 65 out of total 150 working women interviewed in Delhi said they are deliberately avoiding to begin a family.
 
Though, 100 out of 150 working women in Mumbai and 80 in Bangalore said they are averse to having a baby for the time
being as their respective career is primary for them.
 
Off the 800 stay-at-home moms interviewed, about 25 per cent said they regret not being able to work as they are less educated.
 
Of these about 80 said they regret motherhood as they have lost their social identity, the study said. 

Scholarships for J and K youth for higher studies outside state

New Delhi: Students clearing their Class XII or equivalent from CBSE-affiliated schools in Jammu and Kashmir will be eligible for scholarships for pursuing higher studies outside the state.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the amendments in the special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir by including students who pass Class XII or equivalent exam from CBSE-affiliated schools in the state.

Earlier this scheme was open to only those students who passed Class XII or the equivalent exam from the J&K Board, an official release said.

"This would increase the inclusivity of the scheme and would make many more students eligible to avail the benefit under this scheme. This revision would be effective from the academic year 2011-12," it added.

An Expert Group constituted by the Prime Minister in August 2010 to formulate jobs plan, involving the public and private sectors, had suggested offering fresh scholarships for the next five years to encourage the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to pursue higher studies outside the state.

Accordingly, a Central Sector Scheme was devised for payment of scholarship to students belonging to Jammu and Kashmir, pursuing general degree courses, engineering, medical studies and other professional courses in government colleges, institutes and other reputed institutes located outside the state. 

Indian professionals welcome, says US

Washington: With India threatening to drag the US to the WTO against its discriminatory visa fee hike,a senior state department official has said professional Indians are welcome in America.
     
"We understand that the demand (for professional visas) is even greater. We're working through those issues. But we continue to fully support the admission of qualified Indians under these programs," spokesperson of the US State Department Victoria Nuland said.
     
She said Indians are the greatest beneficiaries of both L-1 visa and B-1/H-1 visa programmes of America.
     
India has warned that it proposes to seek consultations with the US under WTO rules against the latter's visa fee hike, which discriminates Indian software companies against American firms.
     
"I've heard that there is something out there, but I haven't heard that there is an affirmative decision by the Indian government on this front. We did have a good and thorough discussion, in the context of the Secretary's visit there, of these visa issues," Nuland added.
     
Meanwhile in India, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said in Parliament that the government is in dialogue with the US and Canada for facilitation of movement of people, professionals and business travellers. 

IIIT to come up at Kapurthala

Chandigarh: Punjab government gave the nod for setting up an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Kapurthala, an official spokesperson said here.
      
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said Prakash Singh Badal also gave clearance for 50 acres of land for setting up this institute at a suitable site in or around Kapurthala.
 
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh apprised the CM about the upcoming IIIT which would be developed in Public-private partnership (PPP) mode at a cost of Rs 128 crore with the state government sharing 35 per cent of the cost, Centre 50 per cent and 15 per cent by a private player from the industry. 

Jamia declares BEd entrance result just hours after exam

New Delhi: Much to the delight of the aspiring students, Jamia Milia Islamia declared results of the B Ed entrance examination, just hours after wrapping up the test.
 
In a sort of a record, the University announced the list of the 200 selected candidates for the sought after course on the same day of the entrance examination.
 
Aspiring students have to appear in six papers for the entrance examination of the one-year duration course, and today was their final paper.
 
"The final paper ended at 1 PM and by 5 PM the results of the course were declared by the university and the final results of B Ed, were displayed on the notice board of the department in the evening," said a statement from the University.
 
It said the task involves not just evaluation but also tabulation, checking and all this was done in record time.
 
For the students who had appeared for the exam, the quick fire announcement was quite a delight.

Anna varsity final-year UG results before June 30

Chennai: Tamil Nadu government said the results of examinations to be written by final-year UG students of Anna University from Monday onwards would be released before June 30.
  
"The exams would be conducted from Monday onwards. In order to facilitate the final-year students of Anna University to join their placements or to apply for higher studies, the results would be announced before June 30," P Palaniappan, Higher Education Minister told the Assembly.
  
The issue was raised by Congress MLA Vijayadharani.   

"The government would think about conducting the exams before April from next year," the Minister said.

Research, higher studies gaining popularity among Indians

New Delhi: The pursuit of research and higher studies is finding favour among Indians as an increasing number of students are enrolling for Doctorate programmes, the government said.

"The trend of number of students pursuing research (MPhil and PhD combined) during the last three years in the country is increasing," Minister of state in Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry D Purandeswari said.

She said that the UGC had reported that 95,872 students were pursuing research in 2009-09 following which the number increased to 1,17,999 in 2009-10.

The number had further increased to 1,37,668 in 2010-11, Purandeswari said.

In response to another question, the minister said that it was estimated that the number of children who remained out of school had also come down.

A study commissioned by MHRD through Social and Rural Research Institute has estimated that the number of children out of school in the age group 6-13 has come down from 1.35 crore in 2005 to 81.5 lakhs, she said. 

Bharath Varsity conducts seminar

Chennai: Bharath University conducted a seminar on the impact of globalization on the economy of emerging countries in the Bharath University-Selaiyur campus in Chennai on May 9.

Aimed at creating awareness on the opportunities available for students in the face of globalization in the developing countries, the seminar proved to be an eye opener for many students.

Speaking at the seminar on the opportunities available in France, Prof Boge from Lyon University, France, Chief guest of the seminar, said, “France is becoming a premier location for educational pursuits. Thanks to globalization and its spread, the universities in France are now able to reach out to other countries to educate them on what they have to offer academically. Known for its art and literature, France is capturing attention in terms of other aspects and fields of education too.”

Prof Alain Boge also provided details about the opportunities that are galore in all the markets due to globalization and the various educational programmes in the US and France that would benefit students opting for higher studies abroad.

Anna Varsity announces TNEA counselling schedule

Chennai: Anna University has released Engineering counselling schedule details for admission into Engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu.

• Issue of notification inviting Application  06.05.2012
• Issue of Application Forms 11.05.2012
• Last Date for Issue of Application 31.05.2012
• Last Date for Submission of Filled-in Applications 31.05.2012
• Assigning Random Number 20.06.2012
• Publication of Rank list 24.06.2012
• Counselling for Sports Quota 01.07.2012
• Counselling for Vocational Candidates - Phase I 03.07.2012 to 07.07.2012
• Counselling for Differently Abled Persons 08.07.2012
• Academic General Counselling 09.07.2012 to 12.08.2012

For more details regarding counselling and application process log on to www.annauniv.edu/tnea2012/

Parliament gives approval for two key education bills

New Delhi: Parliament passed two key bills to enable students of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research get their degrees and give eight new IITs their status through an Act of Parliament.
    
The Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2011, already passed by the Rajya Sabha, seeks to set up eight new Indian Institutes of Technology in Bhubaneshwar, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Indore, Jodhpur, Mandi, Patna and Ropar, and integrate the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, within the ambit of the Act.
    
All these institutions shall be declared institutions of national importance as per amended Act.
    
The National Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2010, already passed by the Rajya Sabha, declares certain institutions of technology as institutions of national importance and seeks to add five Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (established in Kolkata, Pune, Mohali, Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram) as institutions of national importance.
    
It also specifies the members of Board of Governors of each institute and establish a Council for all Indian  Institutes of Science Education and Research.
    
The Bills were passed amid din over B R Ambedkar's cartoon published in NCERT textbooks. 

Coimbatore: Criteria for class IX promotions set in

COIMBATORE: Easy walkovers from IX to X standard, at least in government-run or aided schools are over. A meeting of school heads, convened by the District Education Officer (DEO) on Friday decided to allow schools in Coimbatore to withhold those having attendance below 50%, and marks below 30% from being promoted to Class X. 

Officials who spoke at the meeting clarified that the Right to Education Act mandates 'all promotion' only till Class VIII. 

The headmaster of a corporation school, who attended the meeting, said he was relieved by the fact that officials have allowed schools to fail prolonged absentee students, and those with poor scores. 

He said they were told that they could fail those scoring less than 25% in the quarterly, mid-year and annual examinations. "This may need the permission of officials in the education department, but we hope to streamline some students who cannot be taught," he said. 

R Balamurali, the DEO (District Education Officer) of Coimbatore education district, said schools can consider failing class IX students with severe shortages in attendance and marks. 

Teachers said that last year, all class IX students were to be promoted. "This caused problems in the schools, especially those within city limits," a headmasterstated. He said the promotion of irregular students affected the morale of others. 

"Junior students feel they can pass without studying or attending classes," he said. He also pointed out that as their students come mostly from lower middle class families as first generation learners, their families cannot guide them. 

However, teachers of schools outside city limits, said they do not have students who fit the fail criteria. Theresa A, headmistress of St Joseph's Girls Higher Secondary School at Somanur said that as they reach out to the homes of absent students, cases of prolonged absences and low marks were few. As a school in a village, it was easy to communicate with parents, she indicated. 

R Visalakshi, president of the Association of the Federation of Private Schools, said the criteria for promoting students has been made very liberal, and will affect the knowledge level of students. 

Fewer takers for engineering applications in Anna University on Day 1

CHENNAI: The forecast is dim for engineering admissions this year. On Friday, the first day of the sale of applications, Anna University sold 85,986 forms at various centres across the state - nearly 2,800 lesser than the 88,770 applications sold on the first day in 2011. 

"This is an indication that more engineering seats are likely to go vacant this year than in 2011," said educational consultant P Moorthy Selvakumaran. 

Last year, Anna University began issuing applications a couple of days after the results were announced, meaning only those eligible for admission could have bought the forms. This year, the Class 12 board exam results are expected only on May 22 and more forms were expected to be sold. Still, the first-day number is low, clearly indicating a trend, said educational consultants. 

Anna University vice-chancellor P Mannar Jawahar had earlier said that more than 2 lakh forms had been printed and that every engineering aspirant could be assured of a seat. 

Despite 42,000 government quota seats going vacant last year, about 28,000 seats are to be added to the matrix in 2012. The All India Council for Technical Education has approved more than 100 new engineering colleges and many existing ones have sought approval for additional seats and new courses. 

Academics said more students were likely to go to arts and science colleges as IT companies had indicated, during the last placement season, that they preferred science graduates to engineers for jobs like software testing, as they could be hired at lower salaries. 

Chennai: The forecast is dim for engineering admissions this year. On Friday, the first day of the sale of applications, Anna University sold 85,986 forms at various centres across the state - nearly 2,800 lesser than the 88,770 applications sold on the first day in 2011. "This is an indication that more engineering seats are likely to go vacant this year than in 2011," said educational consultant P Moorthy Selvakumaran. 

Last year, Anna University began issuing applications a couple of days after the results were announced, meaning only those eligible for admission could have bought the forms. This year, the Class 12 board exam results are expected only on May 22 and more forms were expected to be sold. Still, the first-day number is low, clearly indicating a trend, said educational consultants. 

Anna University vice-chancellor P Mannar Jawahar had earlier said that more than 2 lakh forms had been printed and that every engineering aspirant could be assured of a seat. Despite 42,000 government quota seats going vacant last year, about 28,000 seats are to be added to the matrix in 2012. The All India Council for Technical Education has approved more than 100 new engineering colleges and many existing ones have sought approval for additional seats and new courses. 

Academics said more students were likely to go to arts and science colleges as IT companies had indicated, during the last placement season, that they preferred science graduates to engineers for jobs like software testing, as they could be hired at lower salaries. 

Tamil Nadu gets 2 new veterinary colleges, 34 more seats

CHENNAI: The launch of two new colleges in Thanjavur and Tirunelveli has added 34 seats to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry programme of the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The number of seats has gone up from 226 to 260 for the 2012-13 academic year. 

Announcing the beginning of the admission process to undergraduate courses for the next academic year, vice-chancellor Dr R Prabakaran said the popularity of veterinary courses has been growing rapidly. 

"The veterinary and fisheries sectors are the only two industries growing at the same pace as the software industry, at 8-10%. There is a high demand for the courses as people have realised that all who complete them can get into government jobs. There is a lot of scope in the private sector too," he said. Against the annual requirement of 3,700 veterinary graduates in the country, only 1,800 students pass out, he said. 

Application forms for the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Bachelor of Fisheries Science and Animal Husbandry, BTech in Food Processing Technology and BTech in Poultry Production Technology can be bought from veterinary institutes from May 14. For further details visit www.tanuvas.ac.in. tnn 

Ahmedabad: Admissions for medical courses to begin from May 24

AHMEDABAD: The admission committee for professional courses has announced that it will begin the admission process on the medical, dental and paramedical seats from May 24.

A committee member said that the admission forms will be available from May 24 to June 7.

"The duly-filled forms along with marksheet and other documents should be returned to the admission center at B J Medical College between May 29 and June 14," said an official adding that only those candidates, who have appeared for the Gujcet exam will be eligible to apply.

This year around 23,000 B-group students have cleared HSC exams. The official said there are 7,900 medical and paramedical seats in the state for medicine, dental, BSc nursing, physiotherapy, ayurvedic homeopathic and other courses. Last year, over 700 of these remained vacant.

Next Vibrant Gujarat summit to focus on education

AHMEDABAD: If multinational corporations and large private sector companies were the focus of the last four Vibrant Gujarat summits, the 2013 edition will see a large number of universities from within and outside the country participating for the first time. Nearly 3,000 to 5,000 square meters of space has been earmarked in the summit this year for university stalls.

This is for the first time that the Gujarat government has invited educational institutes to Vibrant Gujarat event mainly to help them forge partnerships with local educational institutions in the state. "This is necessary as skill development has become an absolute necessity in the wake of a large number of industries setting up their base in the state. 

Gujarat has one of the most complex matrix of industries in the country. The students from the state should now acquire new skills to work in these emerging sectors," says a senior officer of the industrial extension bureau (iNDEXTb) of Gujarat. The officials also added that special seminars on career opportunities, facilities for on the spot university partnership will be the main highlight of the event. In the next two months, officials from the bureau will travel to Europe, UK, US, China, Singapore, some African countries and even Middle East to invite various agencies to the 2013 edition.

"The tour plans are being finalized. Our teams will approach government agencies in these countries to help us reach out to potential investors in various sectors," says this iNDEXTb official.

TN to set up Resource Centre for differently abled children

Chennai: In an effort to help differently abled children, Tamil Nadu Government has decided to set up a State Resource Centre here, the first-of-its-kind in the country.

Making a suo motu statement in the assembly, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said the Centre would have specialised doctors associated with Ministry of Social Welfare and Health besides experts and consultants from various fields.
  
The Centre would help identify the nature of disability and offer necessary help to the disabled people. Besides, certificates, financial assistance provided by the Government would be issued through the Centre, Jayalalithaa said.
  
In order to develop reading habits among such children, she said a separate section would be set up in the  District Central Library in Coimbatore in the first phase, which would be extended to other areas.
  
She said the Government had already alloted Rs 41 crore and has appointed special teachers and experts serving the differently abled children. 

Core Committee to submit report on Maharashtra education by May end

Mumbai: A core committee is all set to submit its report on three separate vision documents on upgrading and modernising higher education in Maharashtra to the state government by the month end.
 
Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope told reporters that Anil Kakodkar, Ram Takawale and Arun Nigvekar, who prepared three separate vision documents made a presentation on their recommendations at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
 
"The chief minister was appreciative of the suggestions made and said that the core committee headed by Kumud Bansal which is in the process of finalising the priority list of the recommendations made to the government should submit its report by this month end," Tope said after the meeting.
 
He said the amendment to the Maharashtra Universities Act, which is being proposed in one of the vision documents, will be examined by the Law department before being forwarded to Cabinet for deliberations.
 
Chavan said at the meeting that the growing number of colleges affiliated to one university was a reason for declining standards of higher education.
 
The vision document prepared by the Kakodkar committee has focussed on suggesting policies and programmes for improving the quality of higher education, while Nigvekar committee worked on preparing the draft for amending the Maharashtra Universities Act. The Ram Takawale committee deliberated on whether to create new campuses for existing universities and has also discussed setting up of new committees or creating a separate board for conducting examinations for undergraduate students and leaving the
research and postgraduate work to universities. 
 
"The need of the hour was to ensure that universities are completely equipped with necessary infrastructure for imparting different curricula," Kakodkar said, adding nearly five lakh students are affiliated to Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur universities hence these institutions are overburdened. 
 
He suggested that all universities be brought under the control of the proposed Maharashtra Academics and Development Council (MAHED).
 
Kakodkar further said skills development should be encouraged and all colleges and universities should be made autonomous, while Takawale observed that all universities and students be inter-linked. 

30 pc shortage of IAS officers: Govt

New Delhi: The elite Indian Administrative Service (IAS) faces a shortage of about 30 per cent officers in the country, the Rajya Sabha was informed.

Against a total authorised strength of 6,154 IAS officers in the country, there were only 4,377, Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasamy said during Question Hour.
   
"1,777 posts are lying vacant," he said, adding that out of 4,377 officers in position, 3,392 are direct recruitment and the rest are promotees.
   
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of vacant positions at 216, followed by Bihar which has 128 vacant positions followed by Madhya Pradesh (118), Rajasthan (112) and Jharkhand (100), he said.
   
"IAS officers are borne to the state cadres. They, however, serve the Government of India on Central deputation. Out of the total authorised strength of 6,154 IAS officers in the country, the Central Deputation Reserve (CDR) is 1,331 enabling the IAS officers to serve Government of India on deputation. Of these, 675 IAS officers are in position as on April 1, 2012," he said.
   
Narayanasamy said there were litigations against promotion of state cadre officers to the rank of IAS in states like Uttar Pradesh, while the Odisha government did not send the list of officers to be promoted in that state.
   
"If all states cooperate, vacancies will come down to 15 per cent," he said, adding the Centre was working with the state governments to see vacancies are filled at the earliest.
   
The Minister said the government has accepted the Baswan Committee recommendations on the requirement of IAS officers. The panel had made 13 recommendations that included cadre review every five years and state governments sending names well in advance.
   
The committee's recommendation of increasing direct intake to 180 has been implemented, he added. 

Disabled children too will get right to free education: Sibal

New Delhi: The government said that children with all kinds of disability will be provided free and compulsory education, either in school or at home, under the Right to Education Act.
   
"Children with all kinds of disability will be protected under the Act," HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said, moving amendments to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 in the Lok Sabha.
   
The amendment bill, which was earlier approved by the Rajya Sabha, seeks to widen the beneficiary net  for disabled children under the Act and provide those with severe disability the option of receiving education at home.
   
Sibal said that under the Act children suffering from all kinds of disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy and mental retardation would be provided free and compulsory education.
   
He said diseases like dyslexia which are not specifically mentioned in the Bill would be covered once the changes, which are being considered by the government, are made in the legislations dealing with disabilities.
   
On the demand of minorities for making explicit reference to provisions of Articles 29 and 30 dealing with rights of minorities, Sibal said it was not needed as Constitution is supreme and everything flows from it.
   
He said the Supreme Court in a recent judgement has made it clear that the Right to Education Act would not apply to unaided minority institutions. It would also not apply to Vedic Pathshalas and Muslim  Madarsas.
   
Kirit Solanki (BJP), however, demanded that all religious educational institutions should be brought within the ambit of the Right to Education Act.
   
Sibal sought support of state governments, NGOs and all stakeholders to provide free and compulsory education to children under the Right to Education Act.
   
"It is responsibility of all civil society, state governments and parents to ensure that all children go to school," he said, adding these changes were being incorporated after representations were received by the NGOs.
   
He said while efforts would be made to provide free education to differently abled children in the same classrooms, a provision has been made for home education for those who are not able to attend regular school.
   
The government would ensure that the provisions were not misused to keep differently abled children out of the school, he said.
   
Initiating the discussion, Solanki regretted that the country has not been able to provide free and compulsory education 60 years after Independence, although the Constitution wanted it to be done within a decade.
   
He wanted the government to create an atmosphere where children of rich and poor could study together.    

Supporting the Bill, Lalu Prasad (RJD) said the government should first conduct a survey to assess infrastructure requirement for implementation of the legislation.    

He demanded special provision for education of Muslim girls under the Right to Education Act.
   
Regretting that there was lot of corruption in the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Prasad suggested that Mid-Day Meal scheme should be modified and government should provide cash to families instead of food to children.
   
K Suresh (Cong) demanded specialised teachers to take care of students with different ability.
   
Shailendra Kumar (SP), Baliram (BSP), P K Biju (CPM), Davidson J Helen (DMK), Meena Singh (JD-U) and Ratna De (TMC) also spoke.
   
B Mahtab (BJD) said there was an urgent need to set up special training institutes to train students with disability.    

He said the Centre and the states should implement the Act together.
   
Both Supriya Sule (NCP) and Priya Dutt (Cong) raised doubt over a provision on providing home education to children with severe disability.
   
Sule said for inclusive education, such children will have to go to school and for that parents will have to walk an extra mile.
   
Dutt said only the influential can afford to get their children educated at home and by keeping a child at home would mean locking him up. "We will back to square one," she said.
   
Rattan Singh Ajnala (SAD) wanted to know how a child of a poor man will get education at home.
   
Prabodh Panda (CPI) wondered how children with special needs will get education when no infrastructure is in place.

Parliament nod to amendments to Right to Education Act

New Delhi: Parliament passed a Bill that makes children with disabilities eligible for free and compulsory education under the Right to Education Act in all schools.

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, passed by the Rajya Sabha on April 24, also exempts madarsas and Vedic pathshalas, which impart religious teachings, from the Right to Education Act.
   
Another amendment makes it clear that school management committees in aided minority schools would function only in an advisory capacity and would not be required to prepare the school development plans.
   
However, after a number of representations from members, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said he would set up a Committee to formulate the guidelines for deciding the cases in which home-based education would be imparted for children with disabilities.
   
Several members, including Supriya Sule (NCP) and Priya Dutt (Cong), were of the opinion that home-based education will increase the feeling of loneliness among children with disabilities. They said such children should be encouraged to get out of their homes for study in schools.
   
The amendment was necessitates as the RTE Act does not include children with disabilities under 'child belonging to the disadvantaged group' category.
   
The amendment extends the right to free and compulsory education to children with cerebral palsy, mental  retardation, autism and multiple disabilities. 

Gujarat education board cancels affiliation of 6 schools

Rajkot: Taking serious note of inadequate staff and other irregularities, Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) has cancelled affiliation of six self-financed schools in Rajkot and slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 on four other non-granted schools.
 
The board had carried out random survey in as many as 12 non-granted schools in the district on March 27, after the school authorities expressed inability to provide staff for assessing papers of class 10th and 12th, board secretary M I Joshi, in his letter to the District Education Officer (DEO), said.
 
Before cancelling the affiliation, the board had issued show cause notice to the schools and following their reply the board decided to cancell their affiliation, sources said.
 
Besides, during the survey the board officials also found irregularities in payments made to teachers and the school authorities failed to maintain service book and student's register.