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The Primary Teachers Association held a protest against the formation of a single Directorate of School Education and asked the state government to withdraw the decision on Saturday.

The teachers held slogans against the secretary (education) Rakesh Kanwar and the state government.

Pramod Chauhan, president of Primary Teachers' Association in Shimla, said that while the government is bringing reforms in the education sector — something the teachers are also welcoming — the amalgamation of the Directorate of Elementary Education with the Directorate of Higher Education into one organization can harm the basic framework of education instead of introducing qualitative change.

Chauhan stated that the Directorate of Elementary Education was formed post-1984 specifically for the purpose of bringing qualitative improvement in education, and since then, Himachal Pradesh has made big strides in that sector.

He threatened that if the state government keeps on "intimidating" the teachers, then they would halt administrative work from tomorrow and would only do teaching.

Action against protesting teachers

Even as the government warned teachers who organized a sit-in protest against the reorganization of the Directorate of Education to face action, Education Secretary Rakesh Kanwar in orders issued on Saturday stated that those teachers who participated in the agitation and protested "should be identified and disciplinary action be initiated".

The education department has suspended four office-bearers of teachers association, including president Jagdish Sharma, secretary Sanjay, Pratap Thakur and Ram Singh Rao.Teacher office-bearers and some teachers have stated that they will not undertake online work (online attendance, mid-day meal work). The education secretary has referred to this as "flagrant violation" of government directions.

Two teachers suspended as school found closed

Two teachers were suspended when Block Elementary Education Officer ( BEEO) Kupvi district Shimla found the school locked on inspection. The BEEO had visited GPS Shilal on April 25 and discovered JBT Ranveer Chauhan and Dalveer Singh JBT and other staff members and students of GPS Shilal education block Kupvi out of school without notice. During inspection, all the rooms were found to be locked. Taking a strict note, both the JBTs were suspended with immediate effect.

The Zee Education Conclave started in Delhi on Monday, where Uttarakhand Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat made his statements on education. He pointed out that Uttarakhand is the third most literate state, next only to Kerala and Delhi, and boasts of several top-rated schools and universities. He also spoke about the issue of madrasas, and said that illegal ones will be dealt with, while government-sponsored madrasas are encouraged. Rawat clarified that students can learn in any language they choose, without any restrictions, and that children must also learn about their mountain state.

When it comes to teaching Mughal history in the New Education Policy, he opined that Uttarakhand is the abode of four sacred shrines, and children need to learn about the history of this place. We want the students to learn about the history of Uttarakhand, its fairs, and its great people. They can also learn about NCERT characters and SCR T. Our goal is to teach the history of India. Prime Minister Modi has made a positive move, and we have implemented it.

We are working on helping poor children by giving them sufficient study opportunities. The problem of studies being disrupted due to insufficient books will no longer be there. We have hostels for the children so that there is no gap in their education. The study in these hostels is totally free for poor children, and at present, 1,300 children are studying there.

Dhan Singh Rawat said that if a hostel child is chosen for NDA, they get Rs 1 lakh. Apart from that, free coaching and entry to Super 30 are given by the government for free. Till now, 25 children out of 30 have been chosen for NDA. Concerning the Agniveer Yojana, the Education Minister said that the people in the area are content with the scheme.

Dhan Singh Rawat mentioned that 40 lakh children are studying in schools, with nearly every village having a school. Uttarakhand has 12,000 primary and 17,000 government schools, and the teacher-student ratio is excellent – one teacher for every 11 students, compared to the national average of one teacher for 30 students.

He further mentioned that there are 38.5 lakh intermediate students in the state, and basic items such as bags, shoes, and books are being distributed. Notebooks, which have been in demand for years, are now being provided to everyone. The Education Minister further said that even if a village has just one child, they will provide all the required resources. Uttarakhand plans for 100% education coverage by 2025

Renowned for registering the highest number of farmer suicides, the dry and barren Yawatmal district of Vidarbha in Maharashtra has reason to celebrate now. It has produced the state's first Muslim lady IAS officer. Adiba Anam, daughter of an auto driver, is the state's first Muslim woman IAS officer to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) ranks after securing the 142 All India Rank in the Union Public Service Commission this year.

Although Ashfaq Sheikh (Adiba's father) was not fortunate enough to carry on his studies further due to circumstances, which forced him to leave in tenth standard, he made a resolve that his daughter would not go through the same thing. He provided Adiba with every kind of facility and assistance, an intelligent student since childhood.

Two of Adiba's younger brothers are also on her footsteps. After scoring 98% in 10th standard and 97% in science stream in 12th standard, Adiba left Yawatmal and shifted to Pune, where she graduated in Mathematics.

Most of the students are not sure of their future after graduation. But my mind was set on civil service exams from Class 12 onwards. I knew what I desired and did whatever I had to become it. My maternal uncle, secretary to Seva NGO, introduced me to IAS officers, and out of curiosity, an interest was born. I made IAS a target and worked night and day towards it," she said.".

She enlightened that the route to success wasn't simple; it contained plenty of obstacles as well as roadblocks, yet she was well prepared to move forward towards fulfilling her IAS dream.

Once I had graduated, I started studying for civil service exams. My first two attempts were unsuccessful, but I never lost hope. In the second attempt, I reached the interview stage but did not make it to UPSC's final select list. I considered it a challenge and pledged to study harder," explained Adiba.

"Studying is difficult to study, especially for girls in societies dominated by men like Muslim, but my parents encouraged me. I owe a great debt to my mother, who was an immense source of strength and support to me. The society was against girls going for higher studies, but my father told me not to worry about society, and focus on the destination. My parents never let the pressure of society even approach me," she said.

Adiba said she has an extremely modest economic background. "As a auto driver, it was a problem for my father to fund my education expenses. But he would not let the resource constraint hold back his children. It was a long-drawn fight, but the parental pressure constantly overcame obstacles," she stated.

IAS is the stepping stone to serving society. "My area of interest will be to work among the underprivileged, especially girls. I want to work in the education and health sector," Adiba said.

Leading civil service aspirants never to give up, she states that failures in life occur but one must learn from them and emerge stronger. "Failures are part of life. We have to learn from our mistakes and make fresh attempts with more corrective measures," she further added.

Following the leak of the Tamil Nadu Teacher Education University (TNTEU) question paper 'Creating an Inclusive School' in August 2024, the higher education department has put restrictions on private B.Ed. colleges this academic year.

These include activities such as conducting examinations in private college centers, establishing an evaluation center and utilizing their teaching faculties as invigilators for examinations.

These decisions to prevent malpractice, were recently taken by the higher officials of the higher education department and not TNTEU. Except for that, recent semester examinations were held under observation of the Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE).

Official sources said that until last semester, examinations were held in government, aided and self-financing colleges, and invigilators were deployed from the same type of institution for examination work. But this time, the examinations that were held from March 26 to April 7 across the state, were held only in government and aided colleges. Students from self-financing colleges took their exams in government and aided colleges under invigilators from the same category of institutions, relieving self-financing colleges of all exam hassles.

One of the TNTEU administrative officers told TNIE, "Besides these reforms, evaluation centres were not even allotted to self-financing colleges this time. For instance, an evaluation centre which is allotted in a private college in Salem every year has been allotted to an aided college this time. Evaluation centres this time have been formed only at nine government and aided colleges and at TNTEU."

"Apart from this, another requirement has been added for semester paper evaluation in which evaluating staff must have at least three years of teaching experience. The authorisation letter of the principal and a photocopy of the consent of the staff from TNTEU must be carried. The evaluation will be held from April 25," he stated.

A faculty of one government-aided B.Ed college welcomed this move and told TNIE that previously, TNTEU had received several complaints of malpractice from private colleges.

"Even so, TNTEU authorities were sluggish and did not act in any tight manner. In the wake of the question paper leak, stringent restriction was put on private colleges by the higher education department from participating in exams. Now, DCE officers are keeping tabs on TNTEU's exam duties," he added.

Kashmir state, located in the Himalayas, has long been famous for centuries for its scenic beauty and cultural heritage. But behind the idyllic landscape is dormant economic potential to be tapped. The resurgence of Kashmir's sapphire industry is a reflection of the entrepreneurial and economic potential of the region.

The Economic Significance of Kashmiri Sapphires

Kashmir sapphires have been highly valued for centuries because of their unique peacock blue color and quality. The gemstones' rarity has contributed to their high demand among luxury jewelers, collectors, and connoisseurs. The economic significance of Kashmir sapphires stems not only from their status as a luxury item but also from their ability to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and promote entrepreneurship.

Resurgence of the Sapphire Business

The Indian government's efforts to enhance scientific exploration and export of sapphires from Kashmir have opened up avenues for the resurgence of the sapphire business in the state. The move is likely to generate gigantic economic gains to the local populace, such as:

• Job creation: Sapphire business is a labor-intensive industry, and its revival will most likely provide job opportunities to the local youth.
• Boosting the local economy: Expansion of the sapphire industry will positively affect the local economy, with heightened economic activity generating earnings and stimulating enterprise.
• Encouraging entrepreneurship: The sapphire industry revival offers possibilities for Kashmiri entrepreneurs to access the global marketplace for luxury products.

Though re-emergence of the sapphire industry in Kashmir opens immense economic opportunities, it comes with challenges that are:

• Infrastructure development: Unavailability of infrastructure and the geography of the region create a major challenge to sapphire industry development.
• Competition: Kashmiri sapphires will have to compete with other luxury gemstones in the international market.

In order to counter these challenges, one needs to:

• Invest in infrastructure: Development of transportation links, warehouse facilities, and other infrastructure will help develop the sapphire industry.
• Promote entrepreneurship: Encouragement and pro-entrepreneurship policy will make the Kashmiri sapphires competitive in international markets.

Revitalization of Kashmir's sapphire industry is an infrequent economic growth and entrepreneurial opportunity in the region. Utilizing Kashmiri sapphires' special attributes and eliminating the barriers posed by growth of the industry, Kashmir is capable of materializing its potential in economic development and becoming one of the driving forces of luxury products in the world.

In a milestone achievement, Kakinada student Nehanjani has made history by achieving a perfect 600 out of 600 marks in the SSC (Class 10) examination in Andhra Pradesh. A student of Bhashyam School of the Kakinada Rural district, she is believed to be the first in the history of the state to have achieved this phenomenal score.

The announcement has set off a tidal wave of celebration across the state, with effusive congratulations pouring in from all directions. Her parents, family members, educators, and school administrators have been brimming with boundless pride and happiness over her record-breaking feat.

When word of her achievement spread, social media sites were awash with praise and interest, especially over her flawless performance in English, one of the more difficult of the subjects. Her name has gone viral overnight, with a lot of them saying she is special and special student.

Nehanjani's top marks were announced along with the AP SSC 2025 result, which was 81.14 per cent overall pass percentage. 4,98,585 students passed the exam out of 6,14,459 who appeared for them. Parvathipuram Manyam is the top-performing district this year.

AP SSC Topper List 2025: View Top 10 Performing Students

- Yalla Nehanjani

Marks Secured: 600 / 600

District: Kakinda

- Yanda Anisha

Marks Secured: 599 / 599

District: Anakapalli

- Harshit Kaligi

Marks Obtained: 599 / 600

District: East Godavari

- Kotteti Prema Satya Likhitha

Marks Obtained: 599 / 600

District: Kakinda

- Shaik Ishrath

Marks Obtained: 599 / 600

District: Nandyal

- Alla Likhita

Marks Obtained: 599 / 600

District: Vishakhapatnam

- Naratanasetti Priya

Marks Obtained: 599 / 600

District: Vishakhapatnam

- Golla Deekshitha Priya

Marks Obtained: 598 / 600

District: Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore

- Boddu Hrudaya Santhi

Marks Obtained: 598 / 600

District: Vishakhapatnam

- Abdul Sameera Bhanu

Marks Obtained: 598 / 600

District: Vishakhapatnam