Latest news with #PublicInstruction
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Dr. Tony Bennett Returns to Strategos Group as Partner Emeritus
TAMPA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / June 25, 2025 / Strategos Group is proud to announce the return of former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction and former Florida Education Commissioner Dr. Tony Bennett as Partner Emeritus. A nationally recognized leader in education reform, Bennett rejoins the firm he helped shape in its earliest days, bringing decades of experience focused on improving student outcomes. "Tony's return to Strategos is both unique and deeply meaningful. In the earliest chapters of our journey, Tony was a foundational force - shaping our mission to advance the American education system," said Adam Giery, managing partner of Strategos Group. "His return marks a full-circle moment that strengthens our shared commitment to improving the lives of students across the country. Tony joins a remarkable team of former state chiefs, including Johnny Key (Arkansas, 2015-2023), Tom Luna (Idaho, 2006-2014), and Jim Horne (Florida, 2001-2004). His experience, acumen, and perspective will further our portfolio of education enterprises and solidify our position as the nation's leading education management consultancy." Bennett previously served as Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction and Florida Commissioner of Education, where he led aggressive reform agendas centered on accountability, school choice, and notable student success. Most recently, he served as President of School Management at Stride Learning (K12), a publicly traded company and the nation's largest provider of virtual K-12 education. "I'm honored to return to Strategos and rejoin a team deeply committed to advancing the lives of students. I've long believed Strategos brings together the sharpest minds and the strongest convictions in the business. This work has always been personal to me - my life's work has been to elevate outcomes and make a real difference for kids. I'm proud to stand alongside this team once again and contribute to a mission that matters," Bennett said. Bennett is widely recognized for leading Indiana through one of the most ambitious education reform efforts in the nation, including the launch of the country's largest school voucher program, increased Advanced Placement participation, and significant gains on the NAEP and state assessments. "It's an honor to welcome Tony, who is one of the most transformative education leaders in the country, back to Strategos. He was instrumental in our early work to shape a firm grounded in integrity, innovation, and student-centered outcomes. Tony brings unmatched insight and a deep understanding of how policy and practice intersect to drive real results. His return strengthens our leadership team and reinforces our unwavering commitment to improving education systems across the country," said Jim Horne, former Florida education commissioner and a partner at Strategos Group. About Strategos GroupFounded in 2011, Strategos Group is a national education management consultancy providing expertise to organizations in the education sector. The firm works with Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, startups, philanthropic organizations, and private equity firms, offering strategic guidance at the national, state, and local levels. Strategos has offices in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C. SOURCE: Strategos Group press release
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vacant teacher posts in primary, high schools a major issue in education sector in Yadgir
Vacant teacher posts in both primary and high schools are a major drawback for the education sector in Yadgir. The district has been facing a shortage of teachers for many years now in both government primary and high schools and the State government has to take immediate steps to fill vacant posts to improve results and remove the educationally backward district label attached to Yadgir. According to data provided by the Education Department for 2024-25, a total of 2,689 teacher posts are vacant in primary schools and 697 in high schools. The district has a total of 924 primary schools, of which 285 are in Shahapur, 348 in Surpur and 291 in Yadgir. There are 5,626 sanctioned posts, of which just 2,751 posts have been filled, while 2,683 remain vacant. The details of sanctioned posts, working posts and vacant posts in primary schools are as follows: 1,789 posts have been sanctioned for Shahapur, of which 858 are filled and 931 posts remain vacant. In Surpur, 2,097 posts are sanctioned, 953 posts filled and 1,144 posts are vacant. In Yadgir, 1,740 posts are sanctioned, 940 filled and 800 remain vacant. There are 141 high schools in the district. A total of 1,548 teacher posts are sanctioned, of which 852 posts are filled and 696 posts vacant. Of the 479 sanctioned posts for Shahapur, 262 posts have been filled and 217 posts remain vacant. In Surpur, 564 posts are sanctioned, 283 posts are filled and 281 posts remain vacant. In Yadgir, 505 posts are sanctioned, of which 307 posts are filled and 198 posts remain vacant. The district has been labelled the most backward in the education sector after no significant improvement was seen in SSLC results. 'Leaving teaching posts vacant at the primary level will automatically cause acute damage at the high school level. It is difficult to digest the district's poor performance every year,' Kannada activist Sharanu Gadduge said. The Education Department has now been forced to run classes with guest teachers. 'We have written to the department in detail about sanctioned, working and vacant teacher posts and requested it to take steps to recruit teachers. The government has to take the necessary steps,' Deputy Director of Public Instruction C.S. Mudhol told The Hindu.
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Do not send children with fever, cough, cold and other symptoms to school: Karnataka govt
As the number of Covid-19 cases in Karnataka is increasing, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has advised that if children have fever, cough, cold and other symptoms, they should not be sent to school. They should be given appropriate treatment as per the doctor's advice, and should be quarantined at home. The Commissioner of Public Instruction, who has issued a circular regarding the precautionary measures to be taken in all government, aided and unaided schools across Karnataka for the prevention and control of Covid-19 pandemic, has said that children should be sent to school only after they have recovered from fever, cough, cold and other symptoms Schools across Karnataka have resumed for the 2025-26 academic year. In the current Covid-19 pandemic situation, it is necessary to take some precautionary measures in the interest of students. If children with symptoms come to school, the parents should be informed and such children should be sent home safely with their parents, the circular states. If teaching and non-teaching staff are found to have symptoms, necessary precautionary measures, such as hygiene, hand washing and being careful while coughing and sneezing, and Covid-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) should be followed. D. Shashikumar, General Secretary of Associated Managements of Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), said, 'For the safety of children, we have been instructed to follow Covid-19 precautionary measures in all schools under our organisation. Accordingly, all our schools have been sanitised. Parents have been advised not to send children with fever, cough and cold and other problems to schools. All the instructions issued by the government in this regard from time to time will be followed without fail.'
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Students welcomed back to schools with fanfare
As the schools reopened after the summer holidays, students of various government schools were welcomed for the new academic year with much fanfare by the teachers and government officials at their respective schools in Dharwad district on Friday. The school premises were spruced up for the start of the new academic year and the entrances were decorated with colourful balloons and flowers. The teachers including the headmasters and headmistresses were at the entrance to welcome the students with flowers. The students were also given free textbooks and uniforms on the opening day of the academic year. Distributing the textbooks and uniforms at Governemnt Higher Primary School in Dharwad on Friday, Additional Deputy Commissioner C.D. Geeta said that under 'Mission Vidya Kashi' several initiatives were being taken to provide quality education and training to the students and the teachers were taking every possible step to improve the performances of the students. Ms. Geeta said that the teachers had a greater role to play in improving the confidence of the students, which in turn, would help the students in facing the challenges that they come across in their lives. She also emphasised the need for taking personal care of the students to ensure that they did not skip classes and take all steps to improve the concentration of the students and boost their creativity. Senior Civil Judge and Member Secretary of District Legal Service Authority Parashuram Doddamani said that primary education was crucial as it laid the foundation. Teachers should ensure that the students were not deprived of education by treating them with love and affection and motivating them to learn without discriminating any child, he said. Deputy Director of Public Instruction S.S. Keladimath said that the total demand of uniforms for the primary schools in the district was 1,02,988 sets and it was 28,164 sets for higher education. While the 1,02,865 sets of uniforms had been supplied for primary schools, the high schools had received 28,004 sets. Similarly against the demand of 27,22,400 textboos for the district, 21,69,370 textbooks (79.69% ) had already been supplied, he said. Other officials and teachers were present. In Hubballi, MLA Mahesh Tenginakai distributed the textbooks and sweets tot he students to welcome them back to the school on the inaugural day. He visited government schools at Nagashettikoppa and Gopnakoppa in Hubballi and greeted students with sweets and distributed textbooks. Channappagouda Patil, Umesh Bommakkanavar, Block Education Officers and others were present. Meanwhile, at various places, the teachers along with students took out processions heralding the reopening of the government schools. At Broadway in Hubballi, teachers and students with music band covered the localities in the vicinity of the school highlighting the benefits of studying in government schools.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
DSEL orders survey into encroachment on government school lands
The Department of School Education & Literacy (DSEL) has directed authorities concerned to conduct a survey of encroachment on lands belonging to State-run schools and ensure that khatas have been issued to schools. Following instances of some people claiming school properties as belonging to them donated by their ancestors to schools, and some being encroached, the Principal Secretary of the department V. Rashmi Mahesh issued a note to the Commissioner for Public Instruction asking to take necessary actions to remove encroachment and get the khatas of the land done in school names. There are a total of 41,589 government primary schools and 4,871 high schools. Of these, around 16,000 primary schools and over 1,500 high schools do not own the khata of the property. A majority were gifted lands. As per data, the highest number of schools without formal land documents in the school's name were in Shivamogga district, with around 1,000, followed by Tumakuru with 900. 'We have asked the Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts to identify the school properties and ensure the khata is done in the concerned school's name. Even if they are disputing or if the gift deed is in the school's name, then it is the property of the school. This process will be completed within a month,' said K.V. Thrilok Chandra, Commissioner of Public Instruction.
