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A severe cold wave has engulfed northern India, leading several state governments to extend school holidays as a precautionary measure to safeguard children from the bitter cold.

States Extend Winter Breaks

• Delhi: Winter break extended until January 15, 2025.
• Haryana: Schools to remain closed until January 16, 2025.
• Uttar Pradesh: Holidays extended until January 16, 2025.
• Bihar: Schools closed until January 14, 2025.

This decision follows a sharp drop in temperatures, with some regions recording lows between 2°C and 3°C. The chilling conditions have disrupted daily life, prompting officials to prioritize public health and safety.

Government Advisories Amid Cold Wave

Authorities have issued guidelines to help citizens cope with the extreme weather:

• Stay Indoors: Limit outdoor activities, especially during early mornings and evenings.
• Dress Warmly: Layered clothing and winter essentials are strongly recommended.
• Stay Hydrated: Consume warm fluids to maintain body temperature and prevent dehydration.

Weather Outlook

According to meteorological reports, the cold wave is likely to persist for the next few days, with a gradual rise in temperatures expected only later in the week. Citizens are urged to monitor local weather updates and adhere to safety precautions.

Impact of the Cold Wave

The freezing conditions have also affected transportation and daily activities in several regions. Fog has disrupted rail and air traffic, causing delays and cancellations. State governments are closely monitoring the situation and may implement additional measures if required.

For the latest news on weather updates and school reopening schedules, parents and students are encouraged to stay tuned to official announcements and regional advisories. This proactive extension of holidays underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens during this harsh cold wave. Stay safe, stay warm!

To enhance transparency and accountability, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated all affiliated schools to upload specific documents on its official website. The directive aims to streamline compliance with CBSE affiliation bye-laws and ensure operational transparency across its network of schools.

As per the CBSE directive, the following documents must be uploaded by affiliated schools:

• Teacher Qualifications and Experience Certificates: Proof of educators’ credentials to ensure quality teaching standards.
• Teacher Appointment Letters: Official records of teacher appointments in compliance with regulations.
• Affiliation Certificate: Issued by the CBSE, confirming the school’s affiliation status.
• Recognition Certificate: Provided by the respective state or union territory government, validating the school’s operational legitimacy.

The uploaded documents will undergo a thorough verification process by the CBSE to ensure adherence to its affiliation norms. This measure is designed to maintain a uniform standard across the board’s 24,000 affiliated schools, both in India and abroad.

Although CBSE has not set a specific deadline for the document uploads, schools are urged to complete the process promptly to avoid any disruptions. Non-compliance may lead to future complications, including potential penalties or scrutiny during affiliation renewals.

This directive is poised to impact a vast number of CBSE-affiliated schools, requiring them to maintain comprehensive records and make them publicly accessible. By mandating document uploads, CBSE intends to:

• Enhance Accountability: Ensure that schools comply with affiliation and operational norms.
• Promote Transparency: Provide stakeholders, including parents, with easy access to essential school information.
• Strengthen Monitoring: Enable the board to monitor and verify school credentials more efficiently.

The directive has been welcomed by education experts and parent associations, who view it as a step towards greater transparency and quality assurance in the school system. However, schools have expressed the need for clear timelines and streamlined procedures to facilitate smooth compliance.

With this initiative, CBSE reinforces its commitment to maintaining high educational standards and operational integrity across its extensive network of affiliated schools. Affiliated institutions are encouraged to act promptly and ensure adherence to the new guidelines.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the syllabus and exam pattern for the Superintendent recruitment exam. This announcement provides clarity for aspirants preparing to secure the position of Superintendent in CBSE-affiliated schools.

According to the official notification, the exam will feature objective-type questions (MCQs) and carry a total of 120 marks. The duration of the exam is set at two hours, offering candidates a fixed timeframe to demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

The syllabus for the exam is divided into five main sections:

• General Awareness: Covers current events, history, geography, and general knowledge.
• Reasoning Ability: Tests logical and analytical thinking skills.
• Numerical Ability: Focuses on basic arithmetic, problem-solving, and data interpretation.
• English Language: Includes grammar, comprehension, and vocabulary.
• Educational Management: Encompasses concepts and practices relevant to school administration and education policies.

Candidates are advised to review the detailed syllabus and exam pattern available on the official CBSE website to prepare effectively.

This recruitment exam is part of CBSE's efforts to identify and appoint eligible candidates for the post of Superintendent, a role critical to managing administrative tasks in CBSE-affiliated institutions.

Candidates should regularly check the CBSE’s official website for updates, including application details, exam schedules, and additional notifications. Staying informed will ensure candidates do not miss any critical deadlines or information related to the recruitment process.

The Superintendent recruitment exam offers an excellent opportunity for individuals seeking a career in educational administration. With the release of the syllabus and pattern, aspirants can now structure their preparation strategies to maximize their chances of success.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched a major recruitment drive to fill 212 vacancies, including positions for Junior Assistants and Superintendents. Candidates interested in applying can do so online via the official CBSE website. The application process, which began on January 2, 2025, will conclude on January 31, 2025. Therefore, prospective applicants are advised to submit their forms well ahead of the deadline to avoid any last-minute rush.

Vacancies and Eligibility Criteria

The recruitment drive offers two main positions: Superintendent and Junior Assistant.

1. Superintendent:
   Total Vacancies: 142
   Required Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree, proficiency in computers, and a typing speed of 35 words per minute (w.p.m.) in English or 30 w.p.m. in Hindi.
2. Junior Assistant:
   Total Vacancies: 70
   Required Qualifications: A 12th-class pass or an equivalent qualification, along with a typing speed of 35 w.p.m. in English or 30 w.p.m. in Hindi.

Age Limit and Application Fee

• Superintendent: Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age. The application fee for candidates in the Unreserved, OBC, and EWS categories is Rs. 800.
• Junior Assistant: Applicants must be between 18 and 27 years of age, with an application fee of Rs. 800 for candidates in the Unreserved, OBC, and EWS categories.

Selection Process

The selection process for these positions will be conducted in two stages. Candidates will first need to appear for a Tier 1 exam. For the Superintendent role, a Tier 2 exam will follow after Tier 1. Additionally, all Junior Assistant candidates will be required to complete a skill test to assess their typing proficiency and other relevant skills.

Salary Structure

The salary offered for both positions is competitive and commensurate with the responsibilities of the roles. The salary details are as follows:

• Superintendent: Rs. 35,400 to Rs. 1,12,400 per month.
• Junior Assistant: Rs. 19,900 to Rs. 63,200 per month.

This recruitment is an excellent opportunity for candidates seeking stable employment with a reputed educational institution like the CBSE. Interested applicants are encouraged to check the official website for detailed instructions on how to apply and ensure their applications are submitted well before the January 31 deadline.

As India continues to develop its draft data protection rules, a critical issue remains unresolved: are these regulations sufficient to protect children's privacy in an increasingly digital world? This question presents complex challenges that require a nuanced approach to understanding the balance between technological advancements, data usage, and childhood vulnerability.

Children are particularly vulnerable online. They often lack the maturity to fully grasp the long-term implications of their online activities, leaving them susceptible to exploitation, manipulation, and privacy breaches. Given these risks, it is crucial that any data protection regulations place a special emphasis on safeguarding their privacy and well-being.

India’s draft data protection rules acknowledge these vulnerabilities and introduce provisions designed to protect children’s data. For example, the rules stipulate that parental consent must be obtained for the collection and use of children’s data. They also include a data minimization requirement to limit the amount of children’s information that can be collected. While these steps are a move in the right direction, critics argue that they may not go far enough to offer adequate protection.

To truly protect children in the digital era, India’s data protection regulations need to go beyond the current draft. A more comprehensive approach could include:

• Age-appropriate Design: Companies should be required to develop products and services that are specifically designed with children's safety in mind, ensuring that platforms are not only engaging but also secure.
• Stronger Parental Controls: Providing parents with more advanced tools to monitor and manage their children's online activities could help ensure that children are not exposed to harmful content or practices.
• Education and Awareness: Efforts must be made to educate children, parents, and educators about the importance of online safety and data protection, empowering them with the knowledge to navigate the digital landscape securely.
• Tougher Enforcement: There must be more stringent penalties and robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure that companies violating children’s privacy are held accountable.

Protecting children's privacy in the digital age requires a careful balance of regulation, innovation, and education. India’s draft data protection rules are a positive step but need further refinement to truly protect children's safety online. By adopting a more comprehensive strategy, India can create a secure and supportive digital environment for children to grow and thrive.

In a remarkable display of ingenuity and environmental consciousness, 14-year-old student Srija A from Zilla Parishad High School, Chintalkunta, discovered a plastic bag buried underground during a tree-planting activity. The plastic remnant, a leftover from previous plantation drives, sparked a pivotal moment for Srija. Determined to find a sustainable alternative to plastic planters, she embarked on creating biodegradable pots made from groundnut shell pulp, an abundant material in her region.

With the guidance of her mathematics teacher, Augustien P, Srija learned about the rich benefits of groundnut shells. Groundnut shells are high in phosphorus and calcium, making them ideal for plant growth. They also retain water effectively and decompose slowly, which is perfect for nurturing plants. Srija set out to test the idea, and after several trials, she succeeded in creating durable plant pots using groundnut shell pulp mixed with natural ingredients.

The result? Eco-friendly planters that not only decompose within 20 days but also enrich the soil with nutrients, promoting healthy plant growth while eliminating plastic waste. These biodegradable pots proved to be an effective, environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional plastic planters.

Srija’s innovative approach garnered attention when she received the prestigious Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Innovation Award in September 2020, recognizing her as a young pioneer in sustainable practices. Her project gained further momentum when she partnered with T-Works, a Telangana-based innovation hub. With their support, Srija set a goal to scale up production to 10,000 biodegradable planters by July 2021, aiming to spread her sustainable practices across her community and beyond.

This initiative is an inspiring example of youth-driven innovation, illustrating how one small discovery can lead to a groundbreaking solution for global environmental challenges. Srija’s commitment to sustainability and her ability to turn a simple idea into a practical solution have made her an influential advocate for eco-conscious practices in her community.

As Srija’s biodegradable planters continue to make an impact, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for young minds to drive change and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.