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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Parents raise concerns over GMSSS-23's proposed conversion into Sainik School; Chandigarh administration assures continuity
1 2 3 Chandigarh: The Chandigarh education department's proposal to convert Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 23, into a Sainik School, claimed to be the first government school in the country to undergo such a transformation under the ministry of defence's partnership model, has prompted concern among parents, who are seeking greater clarity on how the shift will impact existing students and government school admissions in the area. While the education department has submitted its application and awaits final approval from the Sainik Schools Society, a central inspection committee is also expected to visit the site in coming weeks. "It's a significant development and modalities are still being worked out. But no currently enrolled student will be affected," said Director School Education Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar. "They will continue in the same school until they pass out, with no change in syllabus, teachers or school structure. " Under the plan, the school will admit two Sainik School sections in Class 6 from the coming session. From that point, GMSSS-23 will stop taking Class 6 admissions under the regular government stream. The department has proposed that students who would have otherwise entered Class 6 at GMSSS-23 be accommodated in nearby schools. However, the move has raised broader questions. "Isn't this effectively reducing the number of regular government schools in Chandigarh?" asked Nitin Goyal, head of the Chandigarh Parents' Association. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo "If GMSSS-23 stops taking new government students, they will be sent to already crowded schools in nearby sectors. That's one affordable government school being reduced from UT's map," he added. Other parents expressed cautious support. "If this brings new opportunities for students, that's welcome. But how will the two streams regular and Sainik coexist in one school?" a parent from Sector 23 said. Some have also pointed to the upcoming changes in staffing and space allocation as potential sources of difficulty. "If teachers have to undergo some special training for the Sainik School wing, won't that leave the regular students short of experienced faculty during that time?" asked another parent, requesting anonymity. "Also, both streams will use the same classrooms and labs, will our children get equal access?" As per the official proposal and the Sainik Schools Society's 2022 Rules and Regulations, all schools under this model must maintain dual verticals- Sainik and non-Sainik -until the transition is complete. The policy also requires nominated teachers to undergo extensive training of six months to a year at centrally identified institutions, which the department has acknowledged as part of its preparation. According to UT Education Department, GMSSS-23 campus meets land, infrastructure and academic criteria set by the Ministry of Defence. The Sainik School will begin as a day-boarding model with a 10-hour school day and a curriculum that includes NCC, physical training, regimental routine and a "One School One Sport" policy. Over time, facilities like hostels, dining halls and obstacle courses will be added. Since the building is a heritage structure, modifications will require clearance from the Heritage Committee. Admissions to the Sainik School wing will begin from Class 6 and follow a merit-based process through the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE). Up to 60% of seats can be offered to students already studying in the school, provided they qualify a test as per Sainik School norms. The school will also follow RTE provisions, with 25% seats reserved for EWS students, and provide 50% annual fee reimbursement (up to Rs 40,000) to eligible cadets on a merit-cum-means basis. Officials reiterated that the transition will be phased and monitored. "This is a gradual change, not an overnight shift. Administrative and staffing decisions will be worked out in detail as we move forward," said DSE Brar.
Time of India
6 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Breaking bench hierarchies: Chandigarh schools push for inclusion
Chandigarh: Inspired by a model gaining traction in Kerala, some govt schools in Chandigarh have begun doing away with the traditional row-wise classroom layout in a bid to end the backbencher label that often sidelines quieter students. Schools like GMSSS Sector 9 and GMSSS Sector 19 are now seating students in semicircles or semi-rectangles to ensure equal visibility, eye contact, and participation across the room. The move is part of efforts supported by the UT education department to promote inclusive classrooms where no student is confined to the margins, physically or socially. Teachers say the new arrangements allow them to engage with all students more evenly, and discourage fixed seating that often reinforces groupings based on marks or popularity. "This is not just an experiment. We will not let it fizzle out," said director of school education Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar. "Wherever infrastructure permits, all govt schools in Chandigarh will follow this. We want every child to feel seen, heard and valued, regardless of where they sit." At GMSSS-9, teachers say the new seating pattern has made classrooms more dynamic. Morning assemblies now include brief activities to mix student groups, and classrooms have been rearranged to support flexible seating. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cách giao dịch ETH/USD mà không cần nắm giữ Ether IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "Some students who usually kept to the back benches are now more visible and taking part," said a teacher, calling the shift a positive step. GMSSS-19 has also begun rotating seating in several classes. Staff members say the approach has helped break usual groupings and encouraged more cross-group interaction. Teachers are keeping a close watch to ensure the changes are effective and inclusive for all students. The education department will coordinate with school heads for regular feedback. "Classrooms shape character," Brar added. "If we break down invisible barriers here, we will raise citizens who treat each other as equals everywhere."
Time of India
12-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Halfway through session, classes V and VIII students go without NCERT textbooks
Chandigarh: It has been three months since the beginning of the new school session and summer break is also over. However, Class V and Class VIII students in government schools across Chandigarh are still waiting for several updated NCERT textbooks. Despite repeated assurances and advance payments by the education department, the books are yet to arrive in many schools, forcing teachers and students to rely on stopgap arrangements. This delay is not new to the city's school system. In March-April 2024, parents and students in Chandigarh struggled to find NCERT books for Classes III and VI. There were no stocks in bookstores till mid April, 2024. This has been the pattern over successive years after the rollout of NEP-aligned content, leading to repeated disruptions in critical middle school grades. The shortage is most severe in Classes V and VIII, which are part of the phased rollout of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020-aligned textbooks. In Class V, only English and Hindi books are currently available. Mathematics and Environmental Studies (EVS) are missing. In Class VIII, English textbook is available while Hindi and Science books are still awaited. To make matters worse, several subjects, including Class VIII Sanskrit, Social Science for Class V, and Mathematics for Class VIII are not even available on official and online platforms, leaving schools with no access to revised content. "It's July and we still don't have the new textbooks," said a government school teacher in the city. "For some subjects, we are using last year's books. For others, we're giving handwritten notes or projecting content from earlier versions." Parents too are growing anxious, saying that children are relying on digital content. Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar, director, school education, said that the government is aware of the delays and is working closely with NCERT to expedite delivery. "We are in constant touch with NCERT and advance payments have been done already. Text is being updated and that is why it takes time. We have book banks in schools and we see to it that students do not lose out on education," he said. Officials have advised schools to make do with existing materials and digital content where possible.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Chd edu dept to issue ads for 334 teaching, other posts this month
Chandigarh: The UT education department is set to advertise 334 teaching and academic support posts this month. These include 218 vacancies for junior basic teachers (JBTs), 109 for trained graduate teachers (TGTs), and a few specialist posts in special education and information systems. Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar, director of school education, said, "We have finalised the requisition. The advertisement will be issued within this month. The need for recruitment has been long-pending. Having completed the regular recruitment process, we are now in a position to move ahead and complete the Samagra Siksha recruitments." The last recruitment drive was carried out in 2023, when 293 JBT posts were advertised then. It had attracted many applicants, with eligibility limited to residents of Chandigarh. Officials said this year's recruitment is also likely to follow a similar pattern, with merit-based selection through a written test, though final details are yet to be notified. The shortage has been particularly acute at the primary and middle level, where JBTs and TGTs form the core teaching workforce.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Class in order: Chandigarh turns to Haryana Act to tame unregulated coaching centres
Chandigarh: In a decisive move to address the growing concerns around unregulated private coaching institutes and dummy admissions, the UT education department is set to propose the adoption of the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Private Coaching Institutes Act, 2024, for Chandigarh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This step comes about an year after the central government issued guidelines on coaching centres, and is now being followed by a push to give them legal teeth. The proposal will be sent to the Government of India for approval under Section 87 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, allowing the extension of Haryana's legislation to the Union Territory. Officials said the move will enable a formal legal framework for registration, monitoring, and regulation of coaching centres — something the city has long lacked despite growing pressure from educators, parents, and student groups. A key feature of the Haryana legislation is the formation of district-level regulatory authorities tasked with overseeing coaching institutes. These authorities are composed of senior officials from multiple departments, including education, police, municipal administration and district administration. Chandigarh's proposed regulatory authority will follow this multi-departmental model but will be adjusted to fit the Union Territory's administrative structure. The Act grants regulatory authorities civil court-like powers to inspect, inquire and enforce compliance. It defines specific offences and stipulates penalties recoverable as arrears of land revenue, with fines ranging from Rs 25,000 for first violations to Rs 1 lakh for repeat offences. Continued non-compliance may result in cancellation of registration. Further, the Act mandates that coaching institutes employ at least one full-time counsellor to address student mental health and stress-related concerns. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It also requires the establishment of grievance redressal committees with fixed timeframes for complaint resolution. "Though the timings and infrastructure facilities at coaching centres are monitored, a proposed extension of the Haryana Act is being sent to the Centre for consideration and approval for regulation of these centres by way of an appropriate legal framework," said director, school education, Chandigarh, Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar. "Once approved, a formal framework will be in place towards effective regulation of these centres, which is the need of the hour to ensure safety and wellbeing of children. " While the central guidelines issued in Jan 2024 laid down a broad policy direction — including registration norms, counselling requirements, and anti-exploitation measures — they were advisory in nature. Chandigarh was among the few places where the Centre had designated a nodal officer, with Brar himself appointed to the role. However, enforcement remained limited due to the lack of a statutory framework. Officials maintain that the aim of regulation is not to oppose private coaching but to ensure it remains a support system rather than a substitute for formal schooling. While coaching centres may help students prepare for competitive exams, their unchecked growth and rising influence have raised concerns about student well-being, academic imbalance, and the spread of dummy school practices. By adopting a legal framework, the UT administration hopes to bring clarity, accountability, and safeguards that protect children's education without disrupting their connection to regular schools. BOX- How Haryana Act goes beyond central guidelines Unlike the Centre's advisory guidelines, the Haryana Act is a binding law with enforcement powers. It mandates separate registration for each coaching branch, prohibits misleading terms like "recognised," and bars enrolment of students below 16. It clearly defines penalties, which are recoverable as arrears, and grants civil court powers to authorities. It also makes grievance redressal committees and mental health counsellors compulsory, with fixed 30-day timeline for complaint resolution. These provisions, absent or loosely defined in the guidelines, make the Haryana Act stricter and more enforceable.
