2021 Round-up: Top 5 School news that made headlines

Amid the ongoing pandemic, it's been almost two years since the country's schools are shut and the digital divide has taken over. Read further to know some of the important events that hit the headline in the year 2021. 

With changed board exams 2022 pattern, implementation of New Education Policy (NEP) and the COVID crisis still lurking, this year has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride for the Education sector in India. Amid the ongoing pandemic, it's been almost two years since the country's schools are shut and the digital divide has taken over. Let’s take a look at some of the important events that hit the headline in the year 2021: 

CBSE decided to conduct Board Exams 2022 in two terms

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on July 5, 2021, announced a special assessment scheme for CBSE 10^th and CBSE 12^th board exams for next year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, splitting the academic session into two terms. Following the footstep of the central board, CISCE and various other state boards also decided to conduct board exams in two-terms for the upcoming academic session. 

NEP 2020 completed one year; Major Initiatives launched

While celebrating one year anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP), the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education launched a booklet via virtual mode. Education Ministry informed that 62 major milestones were accomplished by the department in this one year that will help in transforming the education sector. The programme was attended by senior officials of the Department and Heads of Autonomous Institutions and senior officers from the School Education Department from all states and UTs. The accomplishments include aligning of the Samagra Shiksha scheme with the NEP 2020, NIPUN Bharat Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Vidya Pravesh- a three months School Preparation Module, Blueprint of National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR), capacity building of Secondary teachers under NISHTHA, Assessment reforms, Digital content on DIKSHA, etc.

Education Ministry targets 100% enrolment in schools by 2030

The Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared that the government is targeting 100 per cent enrolment of children in schools across the country in the next nine years. The announcement was made with respect to the New Education Policy (NEP 2020). On the 61st foundation day of the NCERT, Pradhan said the by 2030, they are aiming to achieve the target of 100 per cent gross enrolment of children in schools all around the nation. In order to achieve this role, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will also play a vital role.

The minister added that the national school syllabus has received significant directions from NCERT. Stating that NEP is based on Indian values, the minister informed that they have implemented a new education system of 5+3+3+4 in schools across the country. Under this system the students have been divided into four different sections.

NIOS students to get single result document from Oct-Nov 2021 exams onwards

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) in its latest notification announced its decision to issue marks statement-cum-certificate as a single result document. Earlier, the Board used to issue three separate documents i.e. Marks Statement, Provisional Certificate & Final Pass Certificate. NIOS has decided to issue marks statement-cum-certificate as a single result document from the October-November 2021 exam onwards. In order to inform the students as well as other stakeholders, the authority has issued a public notice with regards to the new change.

The official notice released by the Board states, “NIOS will issue marks statement-cum-certificate as a single result document in place of 3 separate documents i.e. Marks Statement, Provisional Certificate & Final Pass Certificate to all successful learners from Oct-Nov 2021 examination.”

PM Modi asked Olympic athletes to visit 75 Schools each by 2023 Independence Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the Indian Olympic players, who recently returned from Tokyo, to visit 75 schools each by the 2023 Independence Day. The minister also asked the sportspersons to spread awareness against malnutrition and also play a sport with school children. India observed "Amrit Mahotsav", a 75-week long commemoration in the run-up to the 75th anniversary of its independence next year. The Prime Minister made this appeal during a breakfast he had hosted for the players at his residence. 

UGC allowed students to use CBSE applied mathematics for UG admissions

University Grants Commission (UGC) allowed students to use CBSE applied mathematics subject for undergraduate admissions. Urging universities to consider Applied Mathematics for admissions, the Commission said that the Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE introduced the new subject Applied Mathematics for students of Classes 11 and 12. Stating that Applied Mathematics involves 80 percent marks for theory and 20 percent marks for practical work in the board examination,  UGC said that the subject may be considered at par with Mathematics while calculating aggregate marks for admission in courses of humanities and commerce, other than pure sciences.

Delhi government announced ‘world-class government school hub’ spread over 11.63 acres

The government of Delhi announced its decision to establish the country's most advanced government school hub. Spread over 11.63 acres, the world-class school will facilitate the children living in and around Kadipur. The hub will include all the world-class facilities related to sports along with quality education for children, an official statement informed.

The hub’s infrastructure will be designed keeping in mind the overall development of the children, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said. The minister further added that this school building will be different from the normal schools and the entire school premises would be involved in the learning process of the children.

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