Doctors Protest Against NCERT’s Social Science Book

Doctors Protest Against NCERT’s Social Science Book

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has mainly objected to the content on page 26 in the Chapter 2, “Role of the Government in Health”, of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) Social Science Textbook for Class VII, Social and Political Life-II under sub-heading “Healthcare and equality”, which was published in February, 2007 and has been in circulation since the academic session of 2007-08:

“In order to earn more money, these private services encourage practices that are incorrect. At times cheaper methods, though available, are not used. For example, it is common to find doctors prescribing unnecessary medicines, injections or saline bottles when tablets or simple medicines can suffice.”

It has also objected to the content on ‘The cost of a cure’ on pages 22-23, which indicates the difference in the cost of treatment in private and Government hospitals.

Complaints have been received from the office bearers of the IMA and some of its State branches. These complaints have been forwarded to NCERT for taking appropriate action.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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Dropout Rate of School Children

To ensure quality outcomes in government schools, the Central Government through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has supported State / UTs on (i) early grade reading, writing & comprehension and early mathematics programmes through a sub-programme namely “Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat”; (ii) sharing an exemplar on continuous comprehensive evaluation in elementary education developed by the NCERT; (iii) notifying learning outcomes by class and stage of education brought out by the NCERT; (iv) conducting the 3rd round of National Achievement Surveys for Class III, V and VIII to track student learning outcomes; (v) provide funds and technical guidance to states for annual refresher training of teachers; and (vi) provide academic support to teachers and schools through Block and Cluster Resource Centres.

The identification of Special Focus Districts (SFDs) is an important step in the direction of providing universal and quality education to SCs & STs student at elementary level. These districts are identified based on indicators like concentration of out of school children, high gender gap, low retention rate and infrastructure gap as well as concentration of SC/ST/Minority population. During 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 & 2015-16, 48%, 48%, 42.8% & 49% respectively of the funds under SSA were targeted to SFDs. As a result, the annual average dropout rate of boys has reduced from 5.89% in 2012-13 to 4.68% in 2013-14 and of girls from 5.34% to 4.66% during the same period.

A survey was commissioned by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and was conducted by Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) on “National Survey of Estimation of out-of-school children in age 6-13 in India” and completed in 2014. It was pointed out in the study report that children within the rural areas drop out of school earlier than those in the urban areas. Most of the drop-outs in the said age group from the rural areas have completed education up to Class-II, while those from the urban areas have completed class V.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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High Speed Data Communication Network

UGC has been sanctioned Rs. 6.18 Crores for providing Wi-Fi facility in universities. So far, 85,335 Government and Government aided, Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools have been approved for coverage under ICT in schools component of converged RMSA Scheme.

The Government further proposes to provide Wi-Fi facility in universities through a programme viz. Campus Connect. As regards schools, there is a component under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) scheme for providing financial assistance to the States/ UTs for internet connectivity to Government aided Secondary & Higher Secondary Schools among other ICT related interventions.

The Wi-Fi facility would help the students to have access to educational content available on web and download the same for learning and enhancing their knowledge base.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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Workshops Conducted for Roll-Out of CBCS

The UGC had conducted eight workshops at various locations in the country with the representatives of Central and State Universities and Deemed to be Universities. The workshops were conducted for resolving issues related to roll-out of CBCS and for requesting the representatives for taking up of the adoption of CBCS with the Statutory Bodies of their Universities/ Deemed to be Universities. The UGC also established a grievance cell for clarifying issues related to the implementation of CBCS.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has not received any resolution from the Statutory Bodies of any University requesting withdrawal of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS).

While many UGC funded Central Universities had implemented CBCS at undergraduate level (27 universities) and post graduate levels (35 universities) in the 2014-15 academic session, all UGC funded Central Universities are implementing CBCS from 2015-16 academic session onwards. In addition, 21 State Public Universities, 5 State Private Universities and 6 Deemed to be Universities have also expressed their readiness for implementing CBCS.

The UGC has apprised the representatives of Universities about the benefits of the components of CBCS, namely:adoption of Semester System, modularization of curricula; adoption of uniform grading system, reform in examination system etc. The CBCS allows academic flexibility to Universities in designing their syllabi. As per the UGC detailed Instructional Template, at http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/ 4426331_Instructional-Template.pdf, Universities have been allowed to customize the syllabi of core papers to the extent of 30% of model syllabi. Universities have complete freedom in designing Elective and Foundation Courses.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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Infrastructure Facilities in Schools

There has been a marked improvement in infrastructure facilities in schools during the last 4 years. As per Unified District Information System for Education (U-DISE) data 55.2% schools had girls toilets, 74.4% schools had boys toilets and 92.9% schools had drinking water facility during 2009-10. These figures increased to 90.5%, 85.8% and 95.1% respectively during 2013-14.

The requirement of infrastructure facilities in schools are worked out every year by the respective State/Union Territory on incremental basis depending on their need and priority and this is reflected in their Annual Work Plan and Budget. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme supports the States/UTs to provide and augment their school infrastructural facilities as per RTE norms. Under SSA 3.11 lakh school buildings, 18.54 lakh additional classroom, 2.36 lakh drinking water facilities and 9.95 lakh toilets have been sanctioned so far across State / UTs.

Further Swachh Vidyalaya Initiative has been launched to provide separate toilets for girls and boys in all government schools within a year, in collaboration with Public sector undertakings and Private Corporates.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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Quality of Ph.D. Research

While no dedicated study for assessing the quality of Ph.D research in the country has been undertaken, as informed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), the UGC Review Committee constituted by the Central Government in July, 2014 has observed that there is a Mushroom growth of substandard Ph.D. degrees. The report of the Committee further observed that acquiring Ph.D. degree has now become a necessity in view of the minimum qualification for recruitment at entry level and requirements for promotion.

In order to serve national purpose of maintaining standards of Higher Education and to bring uniformity in the procedure of award of M.Phil / Ph.D. Degree UGC has framed UGC (Minimum Standard and Procedure for the awards of M.Phil/Ph.D. Degree), Regulation 2009. These Regulations have been notified in the Gazette of India dated 11th-17th July, 2009 and are available at UGC website www.ugc.ac.in . The UGC has written, on 6th July, 2015, to the Vice-Chancellors of all Universities that it has come to the notice of the UGC that some Universities are hiring the services of the Supervisors who do not happen to be the regular teachers of the Universities or its affiliated Post Graduate (PG) colleges/ Institutes awarding the M.Phil/ Ph.D. degree. It has been observed that this practice is in violation of UGC (Minimum standards and procedure for award of M.Phil/Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2009.

The UGC has advised the Vice-Chancellors that Universities shall allocate the supervisor from amongst the regular faculty members in a department or its affiliated PG Colleges/ Institutes depending on the number of students per faculty member, the available specialization among the faculty supervisors and the research interest of the student. It has been further clarified by the UGC that any Ph.D. / M.Phil degree awarded by a University under the supervision of a Supervisor who is not a faculty member of the University or its affiliated PG Colleges/ Institutes would be in violation of UGC (Minimum standards and procedure for award of M.Phil./ Ph.D Regulations, 2009.)

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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Deemed-to-be Universities to be Registered as not-for-Profit Society or not-for-Profit Trust or not-for Profit Company

As per UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2010 and its amendments in the year 2014 & 2015, Deemed to be Universities shall be registered as a not-for-profit Society or not-for-profit Trust or not-for-profit-company. At present, all the Deemed to be Universities are established either by Trusts or Societies.

As per the requirement under the UGC Regulations, a separate and dedicated Society/Trust/Company is required to be registered to run the Deemed to be University with MoA/Rules in accordance with Regulations. The MoA/Rules clearly enumerate the objectives of an institution Deemed to be University which have to be fulfilled by the Deemed to be University. As per Regulations, the functioning of the deemed to be university can be reviewed by the UGC after a period of every five year or earlier, if necessary.

As per Clause 18 of the UGC Regulations, the income and property of the Deemed to be University shall be utilized solely for promoting the objectives of that Deemed to be University. Clause 19 of these Regulations states that there is a ban on payment or transferring of income and property of the Deemed to be University by way of profit. As per clause 20, the accounts of the Deemed to be University shall be maintained in the name of the Deemed to be University and not in the name of the sponsoring Society or Trust. The accounts are also open for examination by UGC and CAG.

Clause 22 (Consequences of violation of Regulations) of the UGC Regulations empowers the UGC and Central Government to cause an inspection of the Deemed to be University, its buildings, laboratories, its examination, teaching and other work conducted or done by it. If the Deemed to be University violates any provision of the UGC Regulations, the Commission may take action against the deemed to be university including recommendation to MHRD for withdrawal of deemed to be university status.

As per the provisions of the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2010 and its amendments in the year 2014 & 2015, the UGC can review the functioning of the Deemed to be University at any time to assess the amenities available with the help of Expert Committee. The UGC ensures that all the suggestions given by the UGC Expert committee are implemented by the Deemed to be University. The following provisions have been made in the UGC Regulations with regard to fee:

(i) each component of the fee, deposits and other charges should be declared in the prospectus and website;

(ii) a proper receipt in writing should be issued for all the payments;

(iii) reasonable fee for admission test based on the cost incurred on conducting such test.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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Guidelines for Deemed-to-be-Universities

All Deemed-to-be-Universities are regulated by the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2010 and its amendments in the year 2014 and 2015. As per clause 6.5 of the above Regulations, every Institution Deemed-to-be-University shall publish, before expiry of sixty days prior to the date of the commencement of admission to any of its courses or programmes of study, a prospectus containing the following for the purposes of informing those persons intending to seek admission to such institution and the general public:
(i) each component of fee;
(ii) percentage of tuition fee and other charges refundable to the student, in case the student withdraws from such institutions;
(iii) the number of seats approved in each course;
(iv) eligibility conditions for admission;
(v) educational qualifications specified by relevant statutory authority;
(vi) the process of admission;
(vii) details of the teaching faculty, including therein the educational qualification and teaching experience;
(viii) the minimum pay and other emoluments payable for each category of teachers and other employees;
(ix) physical and academic infrastructure available; and
(x) broad outline of syllabus.

(xi) all relevant instructions in regard to maintaining discipline by students within or outside the campus of the institution.

The Deemed-to-be-University shall have to publish the above information on its website also.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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Skill Development Centres

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that it is implementing three schemes on Skill Development namely; Community Colleges, B.Voc Degree Programme and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay KAUSHAL Kendras in the Universities and Colleges in the country.

As on date, there are 248 Community Colleges and 187 B.Voc Degree institutions approved by the UGC for offering skill based vocational courses. Further, a total number of 65 institutions have been approved under the scheme of Deen Dayal Upadhyay KAUSHAL Kendra.

The UGC has been implementing the schemes of Community Colleges and B.Voc Programme from 2014-15 onwards. The selections under Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay KAUSHAL Kendras have been completed and the Centres are scheduled to start from the academic session 2015-16.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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National Teacher Award Money Raised from Rs.25000/- to Rs.50,000/-

The award money of Rs. 25,000/- being given to the Awardee Teachers has been enhanced to Rs. 50,000/- from the Award Year 2014 onwards. The last revision of the Award money took place in 1999 wherein the Award money was enhanced from Rs.10,000/- to Rs. 25,000/-.

From the Award year 2014 onwards, each of the Awardee will be provided with a Certificate, a Silver Medal of 40 grams with his/her name inscribed and a cash award of Rs. 50,000/-.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development implements a scheme of National Award to Teachers under which meritorious teachers from all over the country (Primary and Secondary and Special categories) including Sanskrit and Arabic/Persian Teachers from the institutions run on traditional lines, are awarded every year. Until now, each of the Awardee Teacher was provided with a Certificate, a Silver Medal of 40 gm with his/her name inscribed and a cash award of Rs. 25,000/-.

The National Award to Teachers are given away by the President of India on 5th September (Teacher's Day) every year to give public recognition to meritorious teachers working in Primary, Middle and Secondary schools.

The total number of Teachers conferred with the National Award is 378, out of which 20 awards are reserved for Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic teachers. The quota for the States is fixed. Further, out of 378 awards 43 ‘Special Awards’ have been earmarked for the teachers of following categories:

 Teachers with disabilities working in regular schools.

 Special teacher or trained general teachers who may have done outstanding work for Inclusive Education.

Classroom teachers with at least 15 years regular teaching, experience and Headmasters with 20 years of regular teaching experience and who are actually working as teachers/headmasters in recognized primary/middle/high/higher secondary schools only are considered. Five years relaxation is given to teachers promoting Integrated Inclusive Education.

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Swachhata Programme in School Curriculum

In pursuance of the announcement made by the Prime Minister on the Independence Day in 2014 to provide toilets with separate toilets for girls and boys in all schools, the Swachh Vidyalaya initiative has been launched by the Department from August, 2014 onwards. However, the Department financially supports States and Union Territories, for augmentation and improvement of school infrastructure including construction of toilets under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) programmes. During last three years and current year central releases under SSA and RMSA to States for all purpose including construction of toilets are as follows:

(Rs. In Crore)

Year	SSA	RMSA
2012-13	23836.46	3162.86
2013-14	24735.10	2934.79
2014-15	24030.16	3389.30
2015-16 (upto June, 2015)	7222.93	943.03

The National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) has developed syllabi of Health and Physical Education for all stages of school education. These syllabi incorporate concerns regarding health, hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation across different stages of school education. The Ministry of Human Resource Development has also asked all States / UTs to carry out activities in schools for creating awareness on sanitation and hand washing.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question.

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