Education ministry will do new experiments for welfare of students

The Border Security Force (BSF) Meghalaya frontier has administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to 99 per cent of its jawans and the second dose to 87 per cent of personnel."Fighting COVID-19 on the front foot. So far 99 per cent of Jawans have been administered the first dose of vaccination and 87 per cent the second dose. Vaccination is one of the major reasons for keeping the COVID cases at the lowest among the #BSF troops," the Meghalaya BSF unit tweeted. The paramilitary force has so far reported the lowest COVID cases among the frontline security forces engaged in various operations in the state, the BSF stated. The BSF troops are actively involved along the border areas in various operations, hence it becomes increasingly important for the department to ensure their health and well being.

-Karnataka received 4.25 lakh vials of Remdesivir from the Central Government. Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers D V Sadananda Gowda informed media persons in Bengaluru that the Central Government has supplied 76 lakh vials of Remdesivir to all the states since April 21 and Karnataka has received 10 lakh vials. He added that the Central Government is making all out efforts to supply essential drugs and oxygen to the state for the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients. He advised people not to stock essential drugs in the anticipation of exigencies, as this will deprive patients in bad need of the medicines. He also asked the public to be wary of black marketeers and fraudsters cheating people. The Union Minister informed that 767 complaints were received on helpline 1800111255 in April end and 147 complaints this month on the misuse of COVID protocol medicines and action was initiated on them.

-The Rajasthan government has issued an across the state in view of the possible impact of cyclonic storm Tauktae in the state. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that all preparations have been made in the wake of the cyclone. He appealed to everyone to remain cautious. The Chief Minister said that disaster management teams have been deployed in the areas likely to be affected by the storm. The cyclonic storm Tauktae is likely to weaken and enter the southwestern parts of the state by Tuesday night. The Met Department has issued a red for heavy rains with strong winds of 50 to 60 km/h in Dungarpur, Sirohi, Udaipur, Jalore and Pali districts. Apart from this, the impact of the cyclone will remain in most districts of the state for the next two days. 

-Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said that the government is committed to turn the COVID-19 situation into opportunity by doing new experiments to ensure safety and academic welfare of students. He said this while chairing a meeting with School Education Secretaries of all States and Union Territories. In the meeting, various strategies that have been adopted for online and offline learning and the way forward was discussed. The Minister emphasized the need to continue the coherent efforts made by the states and Union Territories last year. He underscored the importance of reaching out to most vulnerable and marginalized children in this pandemic period. The Education Minister said that several Initiatives were undertaken last year for facilitating continuing learning during the pandemic. Expansion of DIKSHA under PM eVIDYA; DTH TV channels under the bouquet of SWAYAM PRABHA TV channels; launch of online NISHTHA training for teachers at DIKSHA; Launch of Manodarpan to cater to the socio-emotional and psychological needs of the students were some of the initiatives undertaken. He said several initiatives have also been taken to reach out to children without access to digital education. He also underlined the importance of involving various stakeholders for effective implementation of the National Education Policy 2020.

-China's State Council has announced tough new laws halting the teaching of foreign curriculum in schools from kindergarten to grade nine (K-9) and prohibiting the ownership or control of any private K-9 schools by foreign entities. The new laws, which come into effect on Sept.1st, are the latest in a series of measures intended to tighten control of the country's fast-growing education sector. China currently has private K-9 schools that teach local and foreign curricula.