The Maharashtra government has decided to revamp the existing education system in keeping with the changing world.
The government has also decided to do away with the negative marks system in the central entrance test (CET) for medical college admissions in the state. The announcements were made by state education minister Vinod Tawde in reply to a debate on education in state Assembly on Thursday.
Tawde said there was no plan for saffronisation of education as being alleged but insisted that the government would amend the education system considering the changes in the world.
“Current education system is based on developing Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of the students. We want to develop the students through five Qs — IQ, emotional quotient (EQ), social quotient, spiritual quotient and entrepreneurial quotient,” he said. He added that the academicians will have a greater say, and not the politicians, in the entire process.
Tawdw said the government will do away with the practice of giving negative marks to students in the CET for medical college admissions. This will be implemented from the academic year 2015-16. Further, the government will request the Supreme Court to allow it to opt out of the national entrance test (NEET) for medical college admissions.
“Students from the state have been appearing for the NEET since 1993, but it is found that the number of students from Maharashtra going to medical colleges in other states is negligible, as state has better colleges. If state withdraws from the NEET, 300 more medical seats would become available for the students in Maharashtra,” said Tawde.
{{/usCountry}}“Students from the state have been appearing for the NEET since 1993, but it is found that the number of students from Maharashtra going to medical colleges in other states is negligible, as state has better colleges. If state withdraws from the NEET, 300 more medical seats would become available for the students in Maharashtra,” said Tawde.
{{/usCountry}}Referring to the trouble faced by students, parents and teachers in the past due to academic decisions taken just before the beginning of the education year, Tawde said no new academic decision would be taken after April.
The minister added that the government has planned an ambitious programme to boost skill development. “We are looking at options to impart skill development education through a university or a degree course. We will target 45 to 50 lakh youths in next 10 years,” said Tawde.
Teachers will be given benefit of cashless treatment. The government would take help of experts in IIT Powai and IIM Ahmedabad to plan training courses for teachers.
* No new academic decision after April
To avoid confusion among students and teachers, no new academic decisions would be taken after April. The changes in the textbooks or curricula will have to be taken before April
* No negative marks in medical entrance test
The state government will discontinue the practice of giving negative marks to students at the CET for medical college admissions in the state
* State wants to opt out of NEET medical admissions
State government would convey the Supreme Court its decision to opt out of the national entrance test (NEET) for medical college admissions. This way, 300 more medical seats would be available for the students in the state
* Change in curricula considering five Qs
While revamping syllabi, attempts will be made for development of students through five quotients — intelligence quotient, emotional quotient, social quotient, spiritual quotient and entrepreneurial quotient
* Boost skill development
The government is planning a major push towards skill development studies either through a university or a degree course. It is planning to impart skill development to 45 to 50 lakh youths in next 10 years
* Cashless health treatment for teachers
The government will make available the benefit of cashless treatment facility for teachers and non-teaching staff in aided institutions. The teachers retiring from service would get a cheque of their retirement benefits a day before retirement
Adopt a school scheme for MLAs
The education minister suggested each legislator should adopt one Marathi school in their constituency and develop it. The scheme can be started on the lines of Prime Minister Modi’s suggestion to MPs to adopt one village each
Education hub at Ismail Yusuf College?
State government is examining possibility to set up an education hub on land owned by Ismail Yusuf College, in Jogeshwari (East), as suggested by some Mumbai legislators.