Latest news with #CMShriSchools
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Online Class 11 Admissions A Major Game Changer: Pankaj Bhoyar
1 2 A national-level handball player turned academician, Pankaj Bhoyar holds a PhD in econometrics from Nagpur University, a field that applies statistical models to analyse economic data. With a BSc in Mathematics and an MA in Economics, Bhoyar entered politics after years of student leadership and social service, winning his first assembly election in 2019. Bhoyar now handles multiple portfolios, including school education, home (rural), housing, cooperation, and mining. In an exclusive interview with TOI, Bhoyar discusses Maharashtra's upcoming 'CM Shri Schools' project, Class 11 online admissions, rural school upgrades, and the ongoing Shalarth ID scam probe. Q. What steps are being taken to upgrade infra and academic quality in rural schools? A. Very soon Maharashtra will be launching a scheme called 'CM Shri Schools', modelled around 'PM Shri Schools'. We will select one govt school in every taluka for complete infrastructure and academic upgrades. These schools will have smart classrooms, science labs, activity zones, green initiatives, and focus on experiential learning and skill-building. Our aim is that students in rural areas get access to facilities and learning methods at par with urban schools. Q. Maharashtra has shifted to fully online Class 11 admissions this year. What is the impact? A. The online Class 11 admissions have become a major game changer. Now, a student from Bhamragadh can secure admission to a top Mumbai college without ever having to leave the village. It's a major reform. Earlier, Class 11 admissions required students to visit colleges physically or buy costly prospectuses. Now, for a one-time fee of Rs100, students can apply to any college across Maharashtra through a single online portal. Whether from Mumbai or Gadchiroli, everyone gets equal opportunity. This has made the process simple, affordable, and fair. Q. Has transparency improved due to this shift? A. Definitely. For the first time, we have state-wide, real-time data on college capacities, course preferences, and admission trends. The online system has made the entire process merit-based and transparent. Parents from remote areas can see their child's merit rank and feel proud when they secure admissions in top colleges. Q. 300 colleges reportedly got no admission in the first round. Many suspect it could be a scam. A. Since the matter is in the high court, I won't comment too much apart from what I already said in the legislature. It's true that some colleges got zero admission in the first round. After all rounds conclude, we'll analyse the situation and take the necessary steps. Q. What steps are being taken to upskill teachers in govt schools? A. We're focusing on upgrading physical infrastructure and digital resources in rural schools. Teacher training is also critical. Recently, we sent 100 teachers to Singapore for modern training. These then become master trainers for others and that improves the entire ecosystem. We believe that investing in teachers directly benefits students. Q. What's the update on the Shalarth ID scam? A. A state-level SIT will be formed, including senior IAS and IPS officers, to investigate the scam across Maharashtra. Currently, only Nagpur-specific SIT is probing the scam. Once the state-level team begins work, the entire scam will be investigated thoroughly. The govt is serious about taking action wherever wrongdoing is found.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi government approves budget to install over 18,000 smart blackboards in government schools
NEW DELHI: Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Tuesday announced that the Cabinet has approved the budget for setting up more than 18,000 smart blackboards in government school classrooms. Addressing a press conference, Sood said 2,466 smart blackboards will be installed in 'CM Shri Schools'. "The work to install 18,996 smart blackboards will be carried out in five phases. A teachers' training module to teach using the blackboards has also been passed in the meeting," he said. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi govt sanctions Rs 900 crore to install smart classrooms and blackboards
The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved over Rs 900 crore to install 2,446 smart blackboards across 75 CM Shri Schools and set up 18,966 additional smart classrooms for students of classes 9 to 12. With this, the number of smart classrooms is set to increase to 21,412 by 2029-30, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 recommendations, Education Minister Ashish Sood said. Tender for the same have already been invited, he added. In a dig at the previous AAP regime, Sood said, 'You will be surprised to know that Delhi has 37,778 classrooms in government schools, yet between 2014 and 2024, only 799 of these were equipped with smart blackboards, and even those came through CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) donations, not government funding…' He added that this was the first major step in the BJP government's mission to make Delhi's government schools better than private schools. During the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta approved Rs 33 crore for the District Project Fund, while Rs 20 crore was allotted for the Integrated District Project Fund. The funds will be utilised for all the 11 administrative districts of Delhi, with every district receiving Rs 3 crore for local projects. According to the CM, the funds will help support projects on infrastructure, community amenities, and social welfare. These projects will include repairs in schools dispensaries, public toilets, and parks; maintenance of cow shelters, installation of street lights and CCTV cameras; upkeep of drains, pond rejuvenation, and flood control works. 'Implementation of these projects will be carried out through departments like PWD, Irrigation and Flood Control, MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi), among others,' Gupta added.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Delhi Cabinet approves ₹900 crore to create 18,966 smart classrooms
The Delhi government will transform 18,996 classrooms in its schools into smart classrooms, with facilities such as interactive panels and audiovisual aids, for Classes 9 to 12 in a phased manner, Education Minister Ashish Sood said on Tuesday. Briefing the media following a Cabinet meeting in which a budget of ₹900 crore was approved for the project, the Minister said that the additional classrooms will bring the total number of smart classrooms in the city to 21,412 by 2029-30. 'The plan to create additional smart classrooms is part of a comprehensive digital classroom expansion plan. The project is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020,' said Mr. Sood. He added that in the initial phases, 2,446 smart blackboards will be installed in 75 CM Shri Schools for which tenders have already been floated. The education sector had received the highest allocation of ₹19,291 crore or 19.29% of the ₹1-lakh-crore budget announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in March. Mr. Sood also criticised the Aam Aadmi Party, saying it converted only 799 government school classrooms into smart classrooms in its 10-year tenure.
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Delhi government shortlists names for 75 ‘CM Shri Schools'
New Delhi: The Delhi government has provisionally shortlisted schools for the 75 newly announced CM Shri Schools, which are expected to become operational in the coming weeks, Education Minister Ashish Sood said on Thursday. 'Most of the CM Shri Schools have been shortlisted. These schools will start functioning soon, and preparations to operationalise them are currently underway,' Sood said. He also said that the Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE) is being phased out, and the schools affiliated with it will now shift to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Several existing government schools are being upgraded and developed into CM Shri Schools. According to an official, the upcoming schools are designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly, operating as zero-waste and solar-powered campuses. 'These schools will have AI-enabled libraries, smart classrooms equipped with Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) tools, smartboards, and biometric attendance systems,' the official said. The schools will also feature robotics laboratories to foster interest in the field among students, he added. The Directorate of Education has already initiated the recruitment process for teaching and leadership positions in these schools. In a circular issued on June 5, the department invited applications from teachers, Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs), Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs), Primary Teachers (PRTs), and other teaching staff, having at least five years before they retire. Another circular issued on June 10 opened applications for principals and vice-principals who wish to transfer to the new schools, with the same retirement conditions. According to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's Delhi Budget speech, a corpus of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for setting up these schools. Modelled after the central government's PM Shri schools, the CM Shri schools will follow the National Education Policy 2020 and implement the National Curriculum Framework 2023.
