News / Author / Puja Pednekar

Puja Pednekar

Special correspondent with Hindustan Times, covering education for the last seven years. Always learning.

Articles by Puja Pednekar

FYJC admissions: 11-day special round for leftover seats from Saturday

The round will continue till September 12, allotting seats to those did not secure admission in any of the last seven rounds

On Saturday, the number of vacant seats available in the upcoming round will be uploaded on the admissions site(Representational photo/HT)

cities

Published on Sep 01, 2017 09:58 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Mumbai building collapse: 50 playschool toddlers have narrow escape

Educators say preschools and playschools — many of which are run from residences, commercial complexes or even basements — mushroom unchecked in Mumbai

Sniffer dogs were brought in to aid rescue operations on Thursday.(Anshuman Poyrekar/HT)

cities

Updated on Sep 01, 2017 01:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Maharashtra to create online drop box to curb drop outs

Mumbai schools raise objections, say it will create confusion and only add to the teachers’ workload

Schools are worried that entering data into the drop box daily will only increase teachers’ workload.(Representational photo/HT)

cities

Published on Aug 30, 2017 07:57 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Heavy rain in Mumbai: FYJC students get extra day to confirm college seats

Aspirants can now approach colleges and finalise their seats till 5pm on August 30. Earlier, the department had set Tuesday as the deadline for admissions.

cities

Published on Aug 29, 2017 04:01 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar

Heavy rains shut down schools in Mumbai

Many schools are allowing parents to take children home as there is waterlogging in most parts of the city.

cities

Published on Aug 29, 2017 03:03 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar

Heavy rains bring Mumbai to a halt, people stuck in massive traffic snarls

Heavy overnight rains affected Mumbai’s lifeline, the suburban railway services, on Tuesday. The showers led to waterlogging in many areas and slowed down traffic.

Waterlogging near Mulunf station due to heavy rain in Mumbai on August 29.(Praful Gangurde/ HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 30, 2017 08:52 AM IST

Mumbai, Hindustan Times | ByKetaki Ghoge, Badri Chatterjee, Neha Tripathi and Puja Pednekar

Experts want Mumbai schools to include social media in their curriculums

Say it will help students and their parents deal with challenges like cyber bullying and fatal online games such as Blue Whale

Educationists and technology experts said the schools should discuss pros and cons of social media it with students and parents instead of turning a blind eye(Representational photo/Getty Images)

cities

Updated on Aug 28, 2017 08:55 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

CBSE revokes diktat: Mumbai schools can sell books, stationery via tuck shops

The latest decision was taken to augment the availability of NCERT books across all CBSE affiliated schools

Besides books, stationery and other materials required by the students will also be sold at the tuck shops.(Representational photo)

cities

Published on Aug 28, 2017 07:39 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Mumbai colleges to work during Ganpati holidays to complete FYJC admissions

Circular issued by the education department asks colleges to give compensatory leaves to staff that works during the holidays

t present, leftover FYJC seats are being allocated on a first-come, first-served-basis to more than 3, 500 students, who either failed to get seats or did not take admission during the previous rounds.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 27, 2017 11:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Web portals to help Maharashtra students crack competitive tests

An online question bank will be created for students attempting the competitive tests, which can be accessed for free

Board officials said easily accessible portal will help students to crack the competitive exams without signing up for expensive coaching programmes.(Representational photo/HT)

cities

Updated on Aug 24, 2017 09:32 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Mumbai principals say students gain nothing from competency tests

Although the tests will be on a bigger scale this year, with the inclusion of Class 9 and new subjects, principals are unsure whether it will make any difference

One of the major drawbacks of the programme is that lack of clarity over actions to be taken after the tests, said experts.(Representational Photo/HT)

cities

Published on Aug 23, 2017 12:28 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

FYJC admissions in Maharashtra: Confusion reigns on day 1 of special round to fill 74,000 seats

Although the admission round was open only for students who scored more than 80% and were yet to claim seats, several students cancelled their admissions to try their luck for a better seat

A list of more than 74,000 vacant seats was uploaded on the admissions’ website on Sunday.(Representational photo/HT)

cities

Updated on Aug 22, 2017 09:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Mumbai colleges to allot FYJC seats on first-come, first-served basis

It is only for more than 3, 500 students who were either not allotted any seats or did not take admission in the previous rounds

The special round would start on Monday.(Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)

cities

Published on Aug 20, 2017 01:15 AM IST

ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Why are students committing suicide? New study provides clues

The report, released in Mumbai by an educational group, was done after the recent incidents of suicides by teenagers in the city - one of which was attributed to the online Blue Whale Challenge.

The report stated it is the joint responsibility of the caregivers such as parents and teachers to understand stress and help students in coping with it.(File)

india news

Updated on Aug 18, 2017 01:48 PM IST

Mumbai, Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar

Missed school for a month? Maharashtra government will stop benefits

The names of these students will be uploaded on an online ‘drop box’, introduced as part of the government’s database, SARAL. This is being done to arrest the rate of drop-outs in schools

Students whose names will feature in the box will be considered as drop-outs, no longer part of the school(HT)

cities

Published on Aug 18, 2017 12:13 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

After special admission round, only 3,500 Mumbai FYJC college aspirants left without seats

The Maharashtra education department will announce the next round soon

All admissions to FYJCs are being done through a centralised admission process this year, according to a government resolution issued in January.(Photo for representation)

cities

Updated on Aug 16, 2017 02:29 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Mumbai parents demand policy to safeguard kids from sexual assaults on school premises

Although the state government has a policy to reduce the weight of school bags, it is yet to frame one that focuses on children’s safety in schools

Educationists have suggested that government should lay down parameters and checks for schools to abide by while recruiting staff.(HT File)

cities

Published on Aug 15, 2017 10:06 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Independence Day in Mumbai: Patriotic fervour brings 200 schools on one platform

The schools hold joint celebrations to increase student turnout during such national events. It had celebrated Republic Day too.

College students take a selfie as they get ready Independence Day celebrations in Matunga on Monday.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 15, 2017 09:09 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar

Mumbai parents meet at Shivaji Park, demand harsher punishment for child molesters

Organise rally to spread awareness among parents and students about sexual predators and how to keep children safe

Parents demanded that schools should ensure that CCTV cameras are installed at vantage points, allowing parents and education department for random checks in schools and police verification of employees.(Representational photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 13, 2017 10:52 PM IST

ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

FYJC special round in Maharashtra: Few seats in arts and commerce; cut-offs to rise

Although there are fewer aspirants and more seats in this round, cut-offs (minimum marks) are expected to rise

A student who has not been allotted a seat or did not secure admission in the earlier rounds can apply for the special round.(HT)

cities

Updated on Aug 12, 2017 09:27 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Four-year-old raped by peon: Here’s 5 ways Mumbai schools can protect your child

The early childhood association (ECA) — consisting of 200 preschools and experts — has come up with some steps that schools can follow to ensure that children are safe

Ensure that children are taught about good touch and bad touch regularly.(HT)

cities

Updated on Aug 11, 2017 03:16 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

FYJC admissions in Maharashtra: Students can apply for special round till Sunday

For the special rounds, a schedule was uploaded on the admissions portal on Wednesday evening. It says that students will be allocated seats on August 16 at 5pm, and can approach colleges to finalise them on August 18 and 19.

Of nearly 2.3 lakh students who applied, over 2,000 students were not allotted any seat in the four rounds conducted between July and August, while 8,000 did not take admission to seats they were assigned.(HT)

cities

Published on Aug 10, 2017 12:29 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Bending over laptops, staying indoors giving Mumbai school kids poor posture: Experts

An in-house survey by a city school revealed that poor seating and sleeping habits, and lack of physical fitness were responsible for growing number of children with a poor posture

Child development specialists and educationists said the schools need to improve seating arrangements in classrooms and reduce the weight of the bags simultaneously.(Representational photo/HT)

cities

Updated on Aug 09, 2017 09:49 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Maratha Kranti Morcha in Mumbai: Schools on route to remain shut on Wednesday

A circular issued by the department on Tuesday afternoon states that traffic jams are expected across the city especially south Mumbai

The protest is expected to draw around 1.5lakh to 2lakh people from across Maharashtra.(File)

cities

Updated on Aug 09, 2017 08:45 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

FYJC admissions: Cut-offs drop in 4th round after colleges surrender vacant seats

The education officials met on Monday to decide whether special rounds need to be held for leftover student

Overall arts and commerce cut-offs remained almost identical to the ones in the third merit list, While those for science fell by by 3% to 5%.(Hindustan Times)

cities

Published on Aug 08, 2017 12:06 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Mughals, Rajputs reduced to single chapter in history textbooks across Maharashtra

At least five chapters on the rise and fall of major dynasties in India have been condensed into one chapter — India before the times of Shivaji Maharaj

Another chapter on the social life during the Mughal era, which mentioned their architecture such as the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri among others has been dropped.(HT File)

cities

Updated on Aug 08, 2017 09:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Mumbai FYJC admissions: No seats for 9,000 after 4th round

The state’s school education department plans to conduct more rounds in the upcoming days for these students, and will announce the dates this week

Students allotted seats can finalise their admissions by August 9; they get a day extra on account of Raksha Bandhan on Monday.(File photo)

cities

Published on Aug 06, 2017 01:01 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

Maharashtra orders schools not to allow students take talent search exams

Maharashtra’s education department has rapped schools on the knuckles for disregarding the ban that was ordered in January.

The Maharashtra government has banned schools in the state from asking its students take part in competitive exams and talent searches by private companies.(HT PHOTO)

education

Published on Aug 05, 2017 11:38 AM IST

ByPuja Pednekar

After Dahi Handi, Maharashtra child rights panel wants to ban kids from using firecrackers on Diwali

In 2014, on MSCPCR’s recommendation, HC had banned minors from participating in human pyramids

The move will reduce air and noise pollution said activists(HT FILE)

cities

Published on Aug 05, 2017 01:12 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

FYJC Round 4: Fewer than 1 lakh seats left, principals tell Mumbai students to choose carefully

Of the 2.3 lakh applicants, more than 1.37 lakh took admission in the three previous rounds, while the rest are awaiting a seat in the upcoming round

The race will be intense as only 93,000 seats are available in the general category.(HT)

cities

Updated on Aug 04, 2017 09:32 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByPuja Pednekar, Mumbai

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Puja Pednekar

Special correspondent with Hindustan Times, covering education for the last seven years. Always learning.

The round will continue till September 12, allotting seats to those did not secure admission in any of the last seven rounds

Educators say preschools and playschools — many of which are run from residences, commercial complexes or even basements — mushroom unchecked in Mumbai

Mumbai schools raise objections, say it will create confusion and only add to the teachers’ workload

Aspirants can now approach colleges and finalise their seats till 5pm on August 30. Earlier, the department had set Tuesday as the deadline for admissions.

Many schools are allowing parents to take children home as there is waterlogging in most parts of the city.

Heavy overnight rains affected Mumbai’s lifeline, the suburban railway services, on Tuesday. The showers led to waterlogging in many areas and slowed down traffic.

Say it will help students and their parents deal with challenges like cyber bullying and fatal online games such as Blue Whale

The latest decision was taken to augment the availability of NCERT books across all CBSE affiliated schools

Circular issued by the education department asks colleges to give compensatory leaves to staff that works during the holidays

An online question bank will be created for students attempting the competitive tests, which can be accessed for free

Although the tests will be on a bigger scale this year, with the inclusion of Class 9 and new subjects, principals are unsure whether it will make any difference

Although the admission round was open only for students who scored more than 80% and were yet to claim seats, several students cancelled their admissions to try their luck for a better seat

It is only for more than 3, 500 students who were either not allotted any seats or did not take admission in the previous rounds

The report, released in Mumbai by an educational group, was done after the recent incidents of suicides by teenagers in the city - one of which was attributed to the online Blue Whale Challenge.

The names of these students will be uploaded on an online ‘drop box’, introduced as part of the government’s database, SARAL. This is being done to arrest the rate of drop-outs in schools

The Maharashtra education department will announce the next round soon

Although the state government has a policy to reduce the weight of school bags, it is yet to frame one that focuses on children’s safety in schools

The schools hold joint celebrations to increase student turnout during such national events. It had celebrated Republic Day too.

Organise rally to spread awareness among parents and students about sexual predators and how to keep children safe

Although there are fewer aspirants and more seats in this round, cut-offs (minimum marks) are expected to rise

The early childhood association (ECA) — consisting of 200 preschools and experts — has come up with some steps that schools can follow to ensure that children are safe

For the special rounds, a schedule was uploaded on the admissions portal on Wednesday evening. It says that students will be allocated seats on August 16 at 5pm, and can approach colleges to finalise them on August 18 and 19.

An in-house survey by a city school revealed that poor seating and sleeping habits, and lack of physical fitness were responsible for growing number of children with a poor posture

A circular issued by the department on Tuesday afternoon states that traffic jams are expected across the city especially south Mumbai

The education officials met on Monday to decide whether special rounds need to be held for leftover student

At least five chapters on the rise and fall of major dynasties in India have been condensed into one chapter — India before the times of Shivaji Maharaj

The state’s school education department plans to conduct more rounds in the upcoming days for these students, and will announce the dates this week

Maharashtra’s education department has rapped schools on the knuckles for disregarding the ban that was ordered in January.

In 2014, on MSCPCR’s recommendation, HC had banned minors from participating in human pyramids

Of the 2.3 lakh applicants, more than 1.37 lakh took admission in the three previous rounds, while the rest are awaiting a seat in the upcoming round

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