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Following a two-year break, The Rabbi Eliyahu Avichayil Memorial Hebrew School re-opened again this week following having been closed in the wake of an ethnic cleansing conducted by Meitei supremacists in the capital Imphal and surrounding valley. Over the past couple of years Ma'oz Tzur expanded to nearly 20 families and a membership of approximately a hundred. The children are young and the majority is 25 and below, the majority of whom ran away from the valley and other areas after being attacked by weapon-wielding Meitei organizations like the Arambai Tengol and Meetei Leepun. There are 34 school-going children in the age range between 3 and 18 years. According to plans, the first 5-room building, which was constructed at the end of 2023, will be utilized as the school building. The residents have been given autonomous houses. A computer, a smart TV, and a printer have been bought to support study for the school to run 'smart classes'. A Wi-Fi network had been fitted in the last few months to complement and accelerate this scheme.

During a talk with Ohaliav Haokip, principal designate, he leads us through the school's academic program. Haokip has a BTech in Aeronautical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology along with another in Economics and a Master's in Data Science sponsored by Degel Menashe's scholarship programs. He clarified that the classes are segmented into 3 groups; Prep & Elementary for kids aged 3 to 11, middle school from 12 to 14, and seniors, 15 to 18 year olds. Prep students are essentially 3 to 5 year old kids and elementary are 6 to 11 year-olds learning from grades 1 to 5. Their study time is from 10:00 am to 01:30 pm in classes conducted by Leah Baite with the assistance of volunteers from the older kids learning in senior classes. The timings of the middle school are 06:30 to 10:00 am, and seniors are 04:00 to 07:30 pm, both classes are taught by Haokip. There are 21 students in the prep and elementary, 7 in the middle, and 6 seniors, totaling 34. Approximately another 10 students from the Pejang community are to join them shortly. The Pejang chairman has stated that they will construct a dormitory for them at Ma'oz Tzur in the next few days. There has been interest shown by the Petach Tikva community of joining as well, which is currently being investigated. The sessions are aimed to provide education in an innovative, outside the box manner to render education a fun thing and something worthwhile. The strategy is to engage their minds and incite thinking out of the box, quotes Haokip. This was the reason to get the smart TV and internet connectivity. For the first time, the initial week of sessions proved a hit with the children being so enthused and engrossed to join in enthusiastically.

Academic Program

The school's academic program is led by Principal Designate Ohaliav Haokip, who has a strong educational background in Aeronautical Engineering, Economics, and Data Science. The school is divided into three groups:

Prep & Elementary: Ages 3-11, with 21 students

Middle School: Ages 12-14, with 7 students

Seniors: Ages 15-18, with 6 students

Haokip told us that the curriculum will be both religious and secular to equip students for a spiritual fulfillment and a career.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to be both religious and secular, aiming to equip students for spiritual fulfillment and a successful career. The school also focuses on teaching about Israel, including its people, government, education, and career opportunities, to facilitate a smooth integration for the students.

There are two teachers and another, a third one, Shimon Thomsong, who conduct religious classes on Judaism for the community, particularly for parents who attend his classes at night. If that can be included, it will be the fourth group. There are 6 who are in the senior class on the cusp of life as an adult. The 6 will be studying for their board exams and have been admitted to the National Institute of Open Schooling at their expense and fees paid by Degel Menashe. Haokip will provide them rigorous preparations, similar to private tuitions, since the examinations are crucial in determining their future professions. Besides religious and secular studies, special attention will be paid to learning about Israel, their new home. Life in Israel, its people, government, education, career, employment opportunities, geography, history, whatever is required for a successful integration, to survive, prosper and even thrive in Israel. The capacity to restore this school is owed to Sam Marshall and the Mumbai ORT team for their kind donation in sponsoring three teachers, two for Ma'oz Tzur and one for Shlom Tzion at Aizawl, Mizoram. Our sincere appreciation is extended to them.

Facilities and Support

The school has invested in modern technology, including a computer, smart TV, and printer, to support "smart classes." A Wi-Fi network has also been installed to enhance the learning experience. The capacity to restore the school was made possible by a kind donation from Sam Marshall and the Mumbai ORT team

Intending to spread the joy of reading among poor children and cancer patients, 13-year-old Akarshana Sathish has established 19 free public libraries in Hyderabad

Initially ridiculed by classmates, she persevered, fueled by her love for reading. The project has expanded to include 57 metro stations, increasing access to reading material for children and communities. Akarshana's initiative is an empowering reminder of the difference young people can make when they combine passion and drive with a vision for making a positive difference.

Akarshana started her journey by visiting a cancer hospital and was touched by the sight of young patients with nothing to do during their treatment. She began gathering books and establishing her first library in the hospital. Akarshana also had to endure initial ridicule from some of her classmates, but she continued undeterred, fueled by her love for reading and her vision to make a difference.

Now, Akarshana's project has expanded to include 19 free public libraries, which have earned her the Prime Minister's appreciation and admiration. Her next big venture is to install libraries in 57 metro stations in Hyderabad, increasing access to reading material for children and communities even more.

Akarshana's journey is an empowering reminder of the difference that can be made when young people merge passion and drive with a vision for making a positive difference. Her library project not only delivers entertainment and information but also instills a love of reading that can strengthen young minds and create new possibilities.

Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has declared a retest for Class 10 Hindi and Science exams on March 7 and 8, respectively. This follows the cancellation of the initial exams, which were conducted on February 20, due to suspected paper leaks on social media. The Jharkhand board has released a notice affirming the new dates, PTI reported. Students who are scheduled to appear for the exams can verify the new exam schedule on the official website jac.jharkhand.gov.in.

Jharkhand Police have so far arrested 10 people in relation to the leak. The Class 10 and 12 board exams in Jharkhand began on February 11 with strict security.  Over 7.84 lakh students sat for the class 10 exams conducted in 2,086 centres in the state.

Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) had cancelled the matriculation Hindi exam after it was held on February 18. It was discovered that the papers were shared on social media prior to the exam being held. The same was reported in the case of the Science exam, which was held on February 20. According to reports, question papers were sold allegedly for Rs 350 via WhatsApp groups.

Comparisons showed similarity between the papers that were distributed and the questions in the actual exam. Jharkhand board papers are being retained for a total of 80 marks, including 30 objective-type questions and a few long-format questions. JAC Chairman N Hansda instructed an inquiry and asked for a report from Koderma and Giridih Deputy Commissioners within 24 hours.

The examinations were conducted on February 11 in two shifts. From 9:45 am to 1 pm, the morning shift was for class 10 exams and from 2 pm to 5:20 pm the afternoon shift was for class 12 exams. The class 12 exams will end on March 4. The class 10 Jharkhand board exams that were set to end on March 3 now remain pending owing to Science and Hindi re-exams.

A row has been sparked by a Class 10 question in Assam, which has been accused of communal bias. The Education Minister is backing the question and calling it harmless. The SEBA has been criticized for how it handled things, with calls for increased scrutiny. Students and teachers have spoken out in anger and dismay, with some calling for increased sensitivity and inclusiveness in school material. An investigation is ongoing, and previous years' question papers can be downloaded from the SEBA website.

In response, the state’s education minister has claimed the question was meant to test if students knew that India is a secular country.

The question in SEBA's social science exam for Class 10 students conducted on Thursday was: "Suppose, the government has established a hospital in a village named Dambuk. The hospital gives free treatment to the Hindus. The people of other religions have to pay for the treatment themselves. Can the government do this in a nation like India? Give your opinion".

The question had three marks. Following a group of social media users accused it of promoting religious divisiveness, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu reacted by terming the debate "unnecessary."

Constitution Preamble does not permit any discrimination. Without discrimination to anyone, we are following the policy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas'. Now, one has to try and check whether students possess that information or not, that there is no discrimination permitted on grounds of religion, caste or language in Assam. There is nothing to argue or get offended about," he added

Science and social science can either be a single question paper with an additional set of questions for the advanced level or two different question papers for both levels in the 2028 Class 10 board examination

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will implement two-tier difficulty levels—standard and advanced—science and social science for class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session and class 10 in the 2027-28 session.

From 2026, students of class 9 will be learning two levels — standard and advanced for science and social science. These students will learn both levels in the same subject in class 10 and appear for board exams in 2028," CBSE chairman Rahul Singh told PTI on Tuesday.

The decision came after CBSE's governing body approved its curriculum committee's proposal to introduce the two levels.

Science and social science can either have one question paper with a special set of questions for the advanced level or different question papers for both levels in class 10 board exams of the 2028 batch, as said by Singh.

The two levels are consistent with the National Education Policy 2020, which suggested that "all subjects and related assessments, starting with mathematics, could be made available at two levels, with students taking some of their subjects at the standard level and others at a higher level."

The CBSE has been providing two streams of mathematics in class 10 from 2019-20. The standard and basic mathematics syllabi are identical. They vary as per the level of question difficulty in board exams.

The board has asked the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to release new Class 9 and 10 science and social science textbooks with an added section including material for the advanced level. "We are hoping that NCERT will be able to provide new textbooks to class 9 students by next year," Singh stated.

The NCERT published revised textbooks for classes 1 and 2 in 2023, then classes 3 and 6 in 2024 according to the National Curriculum Framework for School Education. It is going to publish new textbooks for classes 4, 5, 7, and 8 for the 2025-26 session and class 9 prior to the 2026-27 session.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the draft scheme for conducting board exams for Class 10 students twice a year from 2026 at its website, cbse.gov.in, and invited stakeholder feedback. If implemented, this will bring important changes to the current system.

Here's everything students and parents should know about the proposed scheme-

Since there will be two board exams, the fee will be higher. Both examinations will have fees collected by CBSE when schools provide Lists of Candidates (LOCs) for final exams.

No passing document will be issued by CBSE after the first exam result. The individuals who do not want to take the second exam can utilize the performance details being made available via DigiLocker for admission to Class 11. Pass certificates will be provided only after the second exam result.

The Marks sheet-cum-pass certificate will display marks obtained in the first and second exams, marks obtained in practical exam/internal assessment, and grades. The higher of the two marks will also be included. Even though there will be two theory exams, the board will hold the practical exam/internal assessment only once. Those students who fail in the first examination can be given provisional admission to Class 12. Their admissions will be confirmed on the basis of their second examination result.

Students will have to pass all five subjects in order to be declared as pass. Those who fail in the first examination will be put on the improvement list for the second examination.

Subject change for the first exam after submitting the LOC will not be allowed by CBSE. The candidates who want to change the subject after submitting LOC can do it for the second exam only. The students like this can decide not to take the first exam in that subject. If they take the first exam, then they will not be allowed to change the subject for the second exam.

CBSE won't hold any further tests for the students appearing only for the second test. They can give the first test in the following year. In case the board alters the syllabus next year, they have to give the test on the basis of the new syllabus only. CBSE will consider the policy after receiving feedback. If necessary, the policy will be updated and finalized thereafter. The board will modify examination-bye-laws