Educational News Highlights in India: 16th to 23rd September 2024

### Educational News Highlights in India: 16th to 23rd September 2024

This detailed report covers the major educational news in India between 16th September 2024 and 23rd September 2024. From global appeals addressing the education crisis to innovative initiatives introduced by premier Indian institutes, this week witnessed significant updates affecting children, schools, and educational policies across the country.

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### 1. [UNICEF Appeals for $58.8 Million to Address Education Crisis (16th September 2024)](https://www.unicef.org/media/press-releases)

On 16th September 2024, UNICEF launched a global appeal for US$58.8 million to address the growing education crisis affecting school-age children, particularly those aged 5 to 19. The appeal is focused on providing support for children in conflict-ridden and disaster-affected areas, where educational disruptions have been severe. Millions of children across the world have been displaced from schools due to natural disasters, armed conflicts, and health emergencies, leading to significant learning gaps.

In India, many schools in rural and flood-affected regions are grappling with infrastructure damage, teacher shortages, and a lack of learning materials. UNICEF’s appeal aims to provide immediate educational support through temporary classrooms, teacher training programs, and textbook distribution to help bridge these gaps. This global call to action underscores the need to protect education as a fundamental right for all children, even in the face of crisis.

A key aspect of the appeal is the promotion of digital learning platforms to mitigate educational disruptions. However, in India’s rural regions, the digital divide remains a pressing concern, where access to the internet and necessary devices is limited. UNICEF has urged governments, including India’s, to prioritize the expansion of digital infrastructure to ensure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, can access online education.

Moreover, the appeal emphasizes the need for mental health support for children who have experienced trauma. Many of these children find it challenging to focus on schoolwork due to the psychological toll of the crises they have faced. The requested funds will also go towards providing psychosocial support and counseling services in schools, creating a safe and supportive learning environment.

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### 2. [IIT Madras Launches Online Certificate Courses for School Students (23rd September 2024)](https://skilloutlook.com/education/iit-madras-launches-online-certificate-courses-in-data-science-ai-and-electronic-systems-for-school-students)

On 23rd September 2024, IIT Madras announced the launch of a series of online certificate courses designed for school students. These courses focus on cutting-edge subjects like Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Electronic Systems, marking a significant step in making STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education accessible to younger learners.

The courses are aimed at introducing students to complex topics such as machine learning, robotics, and electronics in a simplified and engaging manner. The content is curated by professors from IIT Madras, ensuring that the material is accessible to school students with no prior knowledge of these advanced subjects. This initiative aims to build a strong foundation in STEM, preparing students for the future workforce where skills in AI and Data Science are in high demand.

This effort aligns with the broader national push to incorporate more STEM subjects into school curriculums, ensuring that Indian students remain competitive globally. The decision to offer these courses online democratizes access to high-quality education, particularly for students in rural areas who may not have access to such advanced courses through their schools.

The courses are designed to include interactive sessions, hands-on projects, and assessments, offering an experiential learning approach that helps students apply their knowledge in practical scenarios. The introduction of such subjects at the school level is expected to nurture problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which are crucial for success in future technological fields.

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### 3. [Students Lock School Gate in Protest, Demand More Teachers (23rd September 2024)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/students-lock-school-gate-demanding-more-teachers/articleshow/113612677.cms)

In a striking demonstration of student activism, on 23rd September 2024, students in Bhubaneswar protested the ongoing teacher shortage in their school by locking the school gates and refusing to attend classes. The students, frustrated by months of under-resourced education, demanded immediate action from the local authorities to hire more teachers.

The protest sheds light on a growing concern in India—teacher shortages—especially in government schools across rural and semi-urban areas. Many schools have been operating with an inadequate number of teachers, resulting in overcrowded classrooms and a lower quality of education. The situation has been exacerbated by systemic underfunding and the increasing student population, leading to burnout among the few teachers available.

In response, local education officials have promised to address the shortage by recruiting more teachers. However, this is seen as a temporary fix to a much larger issue. The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the need for long-term reforms, such as increasing the education budget, improving teacher training programs, and offering better incentives to attract and retain qualified teachers.

This incident is part of a broader trend of student-led activism in India, where young people are increasingly demanding better education and resources. As education remains critical to India’s future development, such protests are a wake-up call for policymakers to take swift action to address the systemic gaps.

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### 4. [Chess Introduced as an Educational Tool in Schools (23rd September 2024)](https://www.nextias.com/ca/current-affairs/23-09-2024/news-in-short-23-09-2024)

On 23rd September 2024, the Indian government introduced an initiative to incorporate chess as a learning tool in schools across the country. Research has shown that playing chess helps improve cognitive skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making, which are essential for academic success and personal growth.

The program, which is being implemented in both government and private schools, aims to teach children the strategic thinking involved in chess and how these skills can be applied to other areas of their academic and personal lives. The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with various chess organizations, is providing free chess boards and training materials as part of this initiative.

This initiative reflects a growing emphasis on holistic education, where academic learning is complemented by activities that promote mental and emotional development. Chess, in particular, is expected to be especially beneficial for students in underprivileged areas, where access to quality educational resources is often limited. By promoting chess as a part of the school curriculum, the government aims to foster a more inclusive and well-rounded educational experience for all students.

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### 5. [UGC Public Notice on New Procedures for Distance Learning (17th September 2024)](https://www.ugc.gov.in/Notices)

On 17th September 2024, the University Grants Commission (UGC) issued a public notice outlining new procedures for students enrolling in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programs. These new guidelines aim to streamline the registration and certification processes, making higher education more accessible to students across India.

The notice is part of the Indian government’s broader effort to expand access to higher education through flexible learning formats, especially for students who cannot attend traditional, on-campus programs. The updated procedures also focus on improving digital infrastructure to enhance the learning experience for distance learners.

Key provisions of the notice include more flexible admission processes, enhanced quality control for ODL providers, and initiatives to increase transparency in the certification process. The UGC has emphasized the need for institutions to adhere to these guidelines to ensure that distance education programs maintain high standards and continue to serve a diverse student population effectively.

As part of the notice, the UGC also highlighted the importance of improving digital access in rural and underserved areas to bridge the educational divide. With the increasing popularity of online learning, the new procedures are seen as a crucial step towards making higher education more accessible to students from all socio-economic backgrounds..

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Tags:

#IndiaEducationNews #UNICEFIndia #IITMadrasCourses #TeacherShortageProtest #ChessInSchools #STEMEducation #UGCUpdates #DistanceLearningIndia #StudentProtests #STEMForStudents #IndiaEducationPolicy #EducationInIndia.