Education News Archives - Page 2 of 2

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Edsys

The top universities in the world are decided by the rankings offered to them by accredited agencies like Forbes, Reuters, QS, Council for Education, etc. Rankings are also done by newspapers, magazines, business portals. The top universities in USA are ranked based on different sets of criteria adopted by the various ranking institutions.

The ranking is mostly done on the basis of the student size, academics, courses offered, research facilities, successful graduations, alumni strength, and demography.

The different agencies use different factors to rank. Besides ranking institutions, ranking can also be done for specific departments and programs at the different colleges within the university.

The accuracy and usefulness of the rankings depend on the factors used by the deciding agencies. Have a look at 25 best universities in USA listed below.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The institute founded in 1861 has always maintained top ranking among the top universities in the USA.

The university scores were high on international student ratio and citations per faculty.

Admission to the institute is competitive and highly selective. With an enrolment of 20000 students, they offer studies in Engineering, Management and Humanities, Arts and Social sciences.

2. Stanford University

Founded in 1885, Stanford University is well known for the courses in business and entrepreneurial spirit. Student enrolment is around 20000. The admission process is selective.

They have a list of prestigious alumni which includes the founders of Youtube, Google, Whatsapp, and Netflix.

3. Harvard University

Established in 1636, the most prestigious and the oldest university excel in academics.

The university is renowned for its academic pedigree and is regarded as the topmost university in the world. The percentage of international students is very low.

The admission to this university is very selective and competitive. The university offers bachelor, master and doctoral programs in the study of Business, Medicine, and Law.

4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

The university founded in 1891 and located in Pasadena, California is a leading tech school.

The university occupies this rank due to the impact it makes on research and academics. The commendable ratio of citation per faculty and the excellent student to faculty ratios place this university on the top universities in USA.

5. University of Chicago

Established in 1890, the university’s physics department is acclaimed for the development of the world’s first self-sustaining nuclear reaction.

Also Read: 35 Top and Best CBSE Schools in India

The university focuses on research. It offers courses in bachelor, master and doctoral programs to around 20000 students.

6. Princeton University

Established in 1746, the university is well known for the courses offered in Arts and Humanities.

The university is very strong in research and academics. Their ratio of students to faculty is not very impressive.

They offer graduate and postgraduate programs to a student population of 9000. Engineering and Applied sciences, Architecture, Public and International Affairs are the areas of study available at the university.

7. Cornell University

Established in 1865, at Ithaca, I was the first to award a degree in veterinary medicine. The university is currently the second in the world for the study of veterinary sciences.

The university excels in academics and is a great employer. With a student enrolment of 24000, the class sizes are larger than other universities.

8. University of Pennsylvania

Established in 1740, the university is situated in Philadelphia. The university scores were high on its ratio of faculty to students, research output and the number of international faculty members.

The university offers pre-bachelor degrees-certificates, diplomas, foundation degrees, bachelor, master and postdoctoral programs to a student size of 30000. Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Communication, and Law are the major areas of study offered.

9. Yale University

The university was established in 1701 and awarded the first Ph.D. in the US in 1861. The student to faculty ratio and excellence in academics places the university on a high ranking. Their Law school is much sought after.

10. Columbia University

The university was established in 1754 in New York. The university scores are high on its ratio of students to faculty members.

With an enrolment of 30000 students, the university offers bachelor, master and doctoral programs.

The high student-faculty ratio places this university within the top universities in the USA. The university has produced prestigious alumni like Barak Obama, Franklin D Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt.

11. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Founded in 1817, the university located at Ann Arbor concentrates on higher education degrees in masters’ and doctoral degrees. The student enrolment exceeds 45000.

The university conducts programs in engineering, medicine, law, business, theatre and dance, social work and education.

12. John Hopkins University

Established in 1876, John Hopkins is a research university in Baltimore, Maryland.

The university invests the most in research than any other university in the USA. John Hopkins’ alumni include 27 Nobel Laureates and also the US president Woodrow Wilson.

13. University of California, Berkeley

The university founded in 1868 has an enrolment of around 50000 students.

They offer undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses in Engineering, Business, Environmental design, Natural resources, Journalism and Public Health.

14. Duke University

The university founded in 1838 is located in North Carolina. With the student strength of 20000, the university offers courses in Arts and Humanities, Medicine and Nursing, Law, Environment, Engineering, and Business.

15. University of California, Los Angeles

Founded in 1919, this university has branch campuses in Berkeley, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Davis, Irvine, Merced, and Riverside.

This institute with an enrolment of 50000 students offers courses in several areas of study. The high student to faculty ratio ranks the university within the top universities in USA.

16. Northwestern University

Established in 1851, the university is located at Illinois catering to a student population of 30000.

They offer pre-bachelor, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees in Medicine, Arts and Sciences, Journalism, Communications, Law, and Business.

17. New York University

Established in 1831, the university has a student enrolment of 45000.

The university has international off-campus branches in Shanghai and Abu Dhabi.

The university offers pre-bachelor, graduate, master and doctoral programs in various areas of Medicine, Arts and Sciences, Dentistry, Fine Arts, Business and Law.

18. University of California, San Diego

Established in 1960, the University is the seventh oldest of the ten campuses of the University of California.

The university caters to a student size of 30000 and offers programs in Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Engineering, Physical and Social Sciences.

The university is ranked high on the research output and student to faculty member ratio.

19. Carnegie Mellon University

Founded in 1900 and located in Pittsburgh focuses on research. The university caters to 15000 students from 115 countries around the world.

The university has been ranked third in the world for computer science studies. It also features high on the list for operation research and statistics. They pioneered studies in the new fields like computational finance, cognitive sciences and information systems.

20. University of Wisconsin

This is a research university with a good reputation in academics and a high level of research.

The graduate employability rate is high.

They have an impressive alumnus on record. Geography, History, Agriculture and Forestry, Communication, Media Studies, Chemical Engineering, Education and Sociology are the major disciplines of study.

21. Brown University

Brown University is an Ivy League University located at Rhode Island founded in 1764.

Development studies, Economics and econometrics, and the English language and literature are the major areas of study offered by the university. It is a research-oriented institution aiming at sustainability and reduction of emissions.

22. The University of Texas at Austin

This University is home to around 50000 students. They are acclaimed for their study in communication and media.

The number of citations per faculty, academic reputation, and employer satisfaction is rated very high. Their student to faculty ratio is very poor. So is the number of international faculty members.

23. University of Washington

Established in 1861 at Seattle, the university focuses on undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs. The university offers a mix of courses in Architecture and Urban Planning, Arts and Sciences, Ocean and Fishery Sciences, Public Affairs, Business, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social work, and Public Health.

24. Georgia Institute of Technology

This institute based in Atlanta, Georgia is focused on science and technology research.

It has been ranked high on the academics, employer reputation and citations per faculty. International faculty members and international students are also high compared to other universities.

Their major streams – Statistics and Operational Research, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering – are rated very high among the top 20 universities in the world.

25. University of Illinois

This University-based at Urbana Champaign is home to 45000 students.

The university is acclaimed for the studies in Computer Science and Information Technology, Civil, Structural, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Psychology, Material Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry, Physics and Astronomy.

The academic reputation and citations per faculty place the university among the top universities in the USA.

The faculty to student ratio and the number of international faculty members is rather low.

The rankings can help students to choose a university compliant with their requirements.

The enrolment into each university is determined by the student’s past performance and prior grades. Admissions are selective and based on entrance examinations.

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Edsys SEO

When it comes to the education sector, Kerala has always had a success story in its credit. Over the last 10 years, the government schools in Kerala witnessed a rise in student strength.

Government schools in the villages and in the suburbs of the cities have started developing the basic infrastructure by introducing smart classrooms along with other needed facilities like a library, sports & games facilities, toilets and more.

All of this was made possible because the state has explored and pioneered various good governance models in the past. Most of the government schools in the villages imparted free education and encouraged students to join.

Besides, many entrepreneurs from Kerala, pursuing their business activities outside the state have been keen on developing the infrastructure of various government educational institutions in Kerala, as they came to know about their poor conditions.

UAE based Indian couple; Faizal and Shabana Kottikolon have literally changed the destiny of a school, located in the suburbs of a city in Kerala. They renovated a 120-year-old government school to a flag bearer of excellence. The Nadakkavu Government Vocational Higher Secondary School (GVHSS) for girls at Calicut is now internationally famed for its unique stature among other schools.

The school has been ranked as the No. 2 government school in India in the Educational World (EW) India School Rankings in 2019-2020.

It was in 2015, that the Nadakkavu GVHSS underwent an infrastructural transformation, owing to its crumbling status. The couple found the school is lacking basic infrastructure.

The school housed classes for around 2,400 girls but had only eight toilets. Nutrition problems were another major issue. Such a dilapidated condition of the school even resulted in absenteeism and a high dropout rate.

Faizal and Shabana joined hands with Mr. Pradeep Kumar, local MLA and developed the school with international standards.

New classrooms along with sophisticated and well-stocked library were built. Old walls were pulled down and designed new ones.

Teacher’s training programs were introduced through IIM Calicut. All these improved the self-esteem of the students as well as teachers.

The major attraction of the school is an Astroturf stadium, considered to be the first in any school in the State.

The news has gone its rounds in social media and entrepreneurs across the world appreciated and started following the generous act initiated by Faizal and Shabana. Sharing with you a comment posted by one such person who has been inspired by the couple.

Similarly, a school in Malappuram district of Kerala also went through an infrastructure overhaul, interestingly with the aid from an IAS officer, management students from a premier institute, and the local community.

Established in 1918, the Government Lower Primary School, at Pookkottur in Kerala’s Malappuram district had less than 200 students in 2015-16.

With the combined effort taken by Muhammed Ali Shihab, a 2011 batch IAS officer of the Nagaland cadre along with PTA, a group of students and the local community, the school today houses 470 students.

Using local MP and MLA funds, they raised Rs 1.75 crore and the school now has smart classrooms, a library, restrooms, an air-conditioned auditorium, amphitheater, a children’s park and a botanical garden.

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Edsys SEO

Despite sounding very similar to computer literacy, digital literacy comes with a completely different meaning. This is a branch of study that requires a deep understanding of the communal issues emerging out of digital technologies. Digital literacy is also about creating an awareness of the standard governing online behavior. To proceed with this arm of education, you also need to put your vital thinking skills to the ultimate test. Hence to sum it all, digital literacy is a combination of critical thinking, social engagement and the wide knowledge of various digital tools. After understanding the definition of digital literacy it is time to learn about its significance in the classroom.

The Emergence of a Class Called Digital Citizens

As you all are aware that reading, writing and mathematics are the three pillars of education, here is a fourth pillar that comes in the form of digital literacy. All set to create a unique fraternity named as digital citizens, students through this field of education will learn the tips connected to the use of technology.

Students will be informed about how to indulge in a legitimate use of technology while they are interacting with their online contacts. It is through this section of education that you as a student will be better prepared to thrive in your area .

Deep Learning – The Star Attraction

One of the most prominent constituents of digital literacy is the benefit of profound learning. Emerging in the form of six Cs, these are the skills that can be honed, while treading the path of digital literacy.

Character: Through digital literacy, students will be able to hone their traits like resilience, perseverance and strength of purpose. Along with these improvements, you will also develop an innate push to embrace learning as part of your everyday lifestyle.
Creativity: Only when you ask intelligent questions, will you develop your creativity. Your creativity will come to the fore when you develop an ability to weigh and grab your opportunities coming out of fresh entrepreneurial ideas presented by online platforms.
Cooperation: This trait is to work in tandem with others alongside demonstrating strong team-based and interpersonal skills.
Critical Thinking: Applying logic to everything that happens around you is the basic premise behind developing a critical mindset. In doing so, you will be prompted to evaluate information while identifying different patterns and associations between various elements. Eventually, you will be able to lay hands on resourceful information that can find a place in the real world.
Communication: The ability to communicate better with different audiences is an essential arm of digital literacy. When you focus on this aspect of expressing your thoughts and views to global audience, you will be employing different tools and methodologies that will make your communication effective to every online reader or viewer.
Citizenship: Here, your value system comes to the front when you develop a holistic view of the world around you. Through a deeper understanding of societal issues, you will be able to come up with solutions to complex problems involving diverse beliefs and values.

The E-Safety Cover

Most of the online lives of people are distorted; very far from reality. Drifting away from ethics, digital interfaces come in as thriving grounds for bullies and criminals. These anti-social elements try to rope in innocent youngsters and prompt them to accept fake information. It is also through misrepresented facts that a lot of children fall prey to such harmful netizens. The end result of such unlawful acts shows up in the form of mental health issues along with feelings of detachment and loneliness amongst students.

So what is the way out? You may ask.

It is here that the educational curriculum should step in so that students are taught the ethics concerning digital literacy. A host of lesson plans should be initiated by teachers to shed light on the need for online safety. Students should be taught to not only secure their personal online information but also to be vigilant about sharing photographs on social media platforms. It is through this e-safety education that students should be cautioned against sharing personal data to unwarranted sites or people.

Fake News – A Red Flag of the Digital World

Modern classrooms have now taken the shape of anchors spreading false news. It is hence the need of the hour to bring in a sense of discretion between fact and fiction, especially when it concerns students.

Teachers are thus required to equip their wards with tools that can differentiate between fraudulent and trustworthy news. They can achieve this goal by discussing news trivia as part of daily curriculum. They are also required to discuss about the role played by social media in the spread of false information. Through examples, teachers can compare the differences between a satire, false news and a real piece of valuable information. You as a teacher should validate all your instructions by stressing on the need to verify authentic sources of information.

How to Use Internet Appropriately

Everything concerning digital literacy is linked to ethics. Students in their pursuit of learning or entertaining themselves should pay heed to what sort of online behavior is acceptable and what attracts corrective action. Since the online space does not clearly compartmentalize your private and public spaces, it pays to tread the online path with caution.

Teachers step in here to address this issue when they prompt students to think about their personal information that is published online. This exercise will be an eye-opener to students who will try to assess the reactions of others with regard to their public presence.

Live the World of Digital Classrooms

With digital literacy, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of a modern classroom which employs digital lessons as learning tools. Modern classrooms which are governed by collaborative learning and student-centric learning can make the most of digital literacy as the much needed educational tool.

For instance, an English teacher can look at blogging as a promising tool to teach her wards about the power of words. On the flipside, a social-science teacher can present the scenarios of real world issues that are available online and encourage students to understand them and prompt them to offer solutions.

Save Students from the Trap Laid By Online Advertisements

You know for sure the impact of ads on children. Most of the promotional campaigns run by companies target the younger generation and excite them to buy their stuff. Hence it comes as a dire need to safeguard children from the traps laid by online advertising.

Digital literacy, here demands the intervention of teachers to coach students about online ads and their striking influence on their day-to-day lives. Allowing students to closely examine the commercial ads that have been targeted at them is a tested means to teach them about consumer behavior. Students will also pick up tricks on selling. With this knowledge in hand, children will be able to create innovative ads that are not only encouraging but appropriate for their age.

Inculcate A Positive Sense of Body Images

With the online territory a buzz with images of fit and toned bodies, young girls and boys of today are giving utmost importance to their body measurements and weight, so much so that they are relying on fad diets. If you are a parent of a young boy who has just entered his teens, you will notice his strong intent to flaunt a sculpted body. This attitude can pose a host of health complaints in kids.

In an attempt to nip off the bud of ideal body shapes amongst young adults, teachers can rely on digital literacy by showing them online images of their Snapchat contacts. Then, they should encourage their wards to attach a sense of judgment to the images they are seeing. Students should also be prompted to share a couple of positive statements about themselves and others, with regard to their bodily appearances. This intelligent exercise can help students develop a positive sense of well-being. They will then be able to brush aside unwanted and harmful effects of diets with an intention to be accepted by their peers.

Key Takeaways

Technology that is impacting every sphere of human life has a widespread influence on the lives of pupils. While students are tending to the digital world to learn, it pays to safeguard them from the challenges posed by technological advancements. It is as if they are breathing technology in every step they take. With so much going in favor of digital media, it is also important to prepare them for the threats that are a part of this emerging educational trend. All these are possible by relying on digital literacy as the whistleblower of online learning platforms.

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Posted on August 10, 2015 by Edsys

Abu Dhabi Education Council helps in contributing better learning environment for students. Teachers at ADEC play a vital role in managing and executing the purpose. The teaching job at ADEC is quite lucrative. If you have got an opportunity and is interested, you might want to know more. Here we discuss both the good side and bad side to the job.

Pros and cons of getting into teaching jobs at ADEC:

Advantages of Taking up Teaching Job at ADEC

1. Better Salary

No teaching jobs in emirates or Gulf, in general, can beat the salary package of ADEC. Abu Dhabi never hesitates to spend on education.

The housing allowance provided by ADEC grants suitable luxurious apartment for stay
Salary is tax-free
The base salary is up to $52,000 a year

With a better salary, you can live a better life. Say adieu to financial constraints with a teaching job at ADEC. You can compare the salary provided by ADEC to the country’s university positions. It’s impossible to find a similar salary providing private schools in the Gulf. Bonus is also allowed even after termination.

Savings and more savings!

Teaching jobs in ADEC have got both financial security and lighter workload. Upgrade your life with this golden opportunity.

2. Never Hectic

Working hours are light in ADEC. No need to invest your weekend for the sake of job. Employees are often discouraged from working on weekends. No one expects you to stay late. “Your time is your time” is the attitude of the job and no one will interfere with your job.

Exams follow at the end of each trimester. Before exams, there is one or two week un-official, non-teaching time. During that time, no teaching or learning is required. Adding both, you get to enjoy almost 6 weeks of non-teaching time. During exam time, teachers have to work only for half-days.

Better Working Environment

There are no special dress codes that prevent you from wearing what you like. People from around the world will be working with you at ADEC.

3. Fully Loaded Schools

ADEC is opening new schools every year with all the latest facilities. The latest generation students are also eager to learn. If you are coming from another part of the world, their respect might surprise you. Students clean board, carry books and bring free food for teachers. It will be amazing to work with them. Schools are divided into Arts and Sciences. Children do not mix and they stay in a single classroom. You will have a good relation with your children. After leaving the job, you will miss them for sure.

Read: Why Abu Dhabi Education Council’s (ADEC) Licenced Teacher Program is Special

Disadvantages of Taking up Teaching Job at ADEC

1. Administration

There can be people against reforms. You can get irritated with that. Their job is to create employment. They observe the class only because they are told to do so. They won’t show up at time. No one from ADEC is going to stop them and their arrogant behaviour. Afraid of losing their job, they tend to blame you for no special reason.

2. Finding Solutions for Your Problem

ADEC advisors won’t indulge in your problems with any teacher, student or administrator. They are least bothered about your issues with others. Only one person can help you, your local administrator. If he is the problem then it’s better to give up. There is nothing you can do about it. You might get depressed with the situation.

3. You Cannot go Against the Flow

No one will notice your struggle at ADEC. Parents have got no idea what’s going inside. Newspapers are least bothered about the practices. Even if you notice anything irregular, you are helpless.

Administration team consists of a principal, two vice president and two other social workers. Their responsibilities change every day. You are not supposed to question them.

Ugly Side of Taking Up ADEC Teaching Jobs

1. Possibilities of Attack

There are incidents when people got attacked by others. A cleaner got attacked by some girls for taking their photo. She was brutally beaten in front of the crowd. Administration and police later confirmed that the cleaner deserves to take the photo. No one got punished after the incident, ADEC remained silent as well. There were attack incidents against teachers also. Brutal incidents happen, yet no one will punish the culprits.

2. Embassy Can’t Protect You

You are devoid of the right of speech, freedom for expression and association. Everything changes around you. The only thing you can do is to adjust with the current scenario. Some teachers got fired for revolting against an HR in the ADEC’s head office. You can only praise ADEC to newspapers. You can lose your job if you do the opposite. They allow transfers only after one year of service. Some parents expect their child to pass even after being absent for class. They will accuse the teachers for the failure of their children.

3. No Support at All

Discussing the problems online cannot help you. Anything affecting the reputation of the rulers or government is a criminal offence. Online discussion is a crime.

Without much control on students, they tend to change to be savages. Neglecting their small and petty crimes can be dangerous. Some children harass the teachers using their native language, Arabic. You cannot respond to their insults. Admin will blame you for not knowing Arabic.

Read: Everything You Need to Know About ADEC in a Nutshell

Despite these, if things do work out well for you, there wouldn’t be a better place for you to work as a teacher. That’s the allure, isn’t it?

#whatever be the situation, teaching is a noble profession. “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops” – Henry Adams

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Edsys

“132 school children massacred in terrorist attack”

The news would have horrified parents across the world. It scared the hell out of me too. I wondered, ‘what if this happened at my child’s school? The same sentiments would have run through the minds of millions of parents across the country. Does his school have the means to tackle similar incidents? I did a bit of research and my findings were surprising. Every parent should know about it.

Unlikely but Vulnerable

Schools are unlikely places for terror attacks but they remain vulnerable nevertheless. Why?

Lack of preparation

Be it our schools or our police force, they are simply not accustomed to such acts. The police are used to dealing with criminal activities, while terror attacks are of larger scale, and should be considered acts of war.

School personnel too don’t want to tackle active shootings. They are trained to nurture the nation’s future rather than dealing with such issues. Therefore they are hardly prepared mentally and physically to face such issues.

Attack on our Morale

We consider children to be divine or sacred. An attack on children would be considered a blow to the nation’s psyche. Terrorists would expect it to boost their own morale while shattering ours. They would think it gives them a psychological edge.

MHA’s Warning

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), India has already speculated that large scale terrorist attacks on places such as malls, schools, hostels, etc is a huge possibility. Main reasons as cited by the MHA is the wide spread social media reach and public attention such an attack might gather, and the minimum protection these places have. It serves as further reason to tighten security measures especially at schools.

A Welcome move by CBSE

On April 5, CBSE had sent a circular, which stressed on the importance of having a standard operating procedure (SOP) in case terrorist attacks happen. This circular dealt exclusively with terror attacks. Included with the circular was an SOP created by MHA to act as a guideline for schools to tackle terror attacks. The board has asked all school principals to read the SOP notice carefully and inform the teachers and students of the same. The schools have also been asked to prepare guidelines to deal with a terror attack and to assign tasks to different personnel to act in case an attack happens.

Police tightens security in schools

The Peshawar school attack was a horrible incident and no country can afford to let the tragedy to repeat. The police force in Goa and Hyderabad are hence taking security measures to provide safety to school goers. The Goa police plans to hold talks with school managements to work out drills in case of emergency and also, to increase the security around school campuses. The drive is a part of the initiative by Ministry of Home Affairs to keep schools safe from any kind of terror attacks. Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Police plans to set up guidelines to ensure the safety and security of the students. They plan to join hands with the Education Department to come up with the guidelines.

Students of today make good citizens of tomorrow. Therefore, it is important to impart education to them while providing them with safety and security. In the wake of the Peshawar school massacre, it is important for the schools to take drastic steps in ensuring the safety of students.

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Edsys

Rima was a smart girl equally loved by everyone at home and school. She was a grade 3 student of one of the famous schools in the city. It was another evening after school hours. Rima waited by the school gate for her father to come and pick her up. The security guard, whom Rima was talking to, had gone to fetch water and when he returned, Rima was nowhere to be seen. Thinking that her father might have come to pick her up, the security guard resumed his work. But the security guard was shocked a few minutes later when he saw Rima’s father, Rajiv, stopping the car by the school gate and walking towards him. An argument followed when they realized that the girl was missing. In between Rajiv’s mobile phone rang. He was shocked to know that his daughter was kidnapped and the kidnappers had asked for a ransom of Rs. 25 lakh.

This is not a rare incident these days.

Children being kidnapped from their school premises have become quite common and their family has to bear with the trauma while it affects the reputation of the school as well.

In most cases, the whereabouts of the missing child remains unknown forever while some of them fall prey to the greedy motives of the kidnappers.

One of the most recent cases is the kidnap of a KG-I student from Maharashtra.

The child was kidnapped from her school premises. But the police was quick enough to trace the culprits thus saving the life of the 5 year old girl.

But not every child is lucky like her. It is a fact that at least 1 child goes missing every 8 minutes in India and unfortunately, about 40% of them have not been found.

The most recent incident that was reported few days ago is another example. A 4 year old girl was kidnapped from the school premises as she was waiting for her father to come and pick her up. The victim’s father got a call from the kidnappers, seeking Rs. 8 lakh ransom, while they were still searching for the child. What the girl’s fate will be is yet to be known.

Why are schools chosen to be the hotspots of kidnap?

Most of the child abductions reported in majority of countries, especially those in India has been from schools.

It is mainly because most Indian schools lack proper security arrangements and they fail to provide proper security to their students. This is not a secret fact and therefore, schools remain the favourite locations of kidnappers to fulfill their motives.

How can we make school a safer place for students?

Student abductions can be prevented at least to some extent if you, as a school authority, attempt to take necessary measures.

Teach them safety habits

In most of the child kidnap cases ever recorded, the kidnappers were people the children knew very well. Therefore, preaching the children of stranger safety is not fully effective. But, still, let them know that every stranger is not bad while every acquaintance is not good. Give them lessons on safety habits so that they can be careful around both strangers and acquaintances.

Let them talk and listen to them

Let the children talk to you freely if they sense anything is not safe. Help them to build the habit of talking to you in times of need so that you can intervene and help them at the right time, thus keeping them safe.

Teach them to seek help

Tell your students to go and talk to an adult they feel they can rely on at the moment, in case they feel unsafe when left alone. It can be the school security guard, some shopkeeper or a librarian. Teach them to deal unsafe conditions with confidence.

Teach them about personal information

Most of the children have the habit of giving away their personal information to anyone. Teach your students not to give any personal information about them, be it their name or details about their family or may be their parents’ phone number to any strangers without consulting with an adult who is responsible for their safety. Teach them to walk away with confidence if a stranger tries to indulge in a conversation with them asking for their personal information.

Teach them to think first

Ask the students to think first before answering to strangers. The best practice would be them avoiding strangers especially if they are alone. And if they choose to talk to the stranger, ask them to keep their answers short without giving away personal information.

Teach them to yell and run

Teach students to yell and run away if they feel that they are in danger. Yelling can grab attention and save them from unwanted danger.

Teach them self-defense techniques

Teach students to resist and stand up for themselves at times of danger. If possible implement activities that teach self-defense in accordance to the age group. This can help to build their confidence.

Apart from all these, check for latest technology that can ensure safety of students in a school and install that in your school too. Let them learn and grow in a safe environment for they are the future of our country!

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Edsys

“So, in spite of all this, why are our students confronting such severe issues?” The old woman was quite disturbed. It was the third day of the National conference on ‘Child safety in schools: Issues and Challenges’. The crowd seemed restless and discussed their views on the speaker’s insights. She was right, the old woman. Students confront a lot of physical and psychological issues that are considered trivial in an era of rapid change. The eminent educationalists on the podium kept reiterating the list of troubles that badly affect students – the quality standards, bullying, sexual abuse, untrained teachers, psychological problems and so on.

What do you think?

How can we answer the old woman’s question? The answers to such questions are timeless. Such questions undergo transition with time. Nevertheless, we can’t escape the fact that finding solutions for such concerns is as important as raising them. Now, let’s understand the impact of hardships faced by students. Even though the difficulties encountered by students are numerous we will discuss on a few issues only which really needs attention.

Trouble me not

“Child, you’ll never feel any better if the only thing you know is to make your classmate suffer”

Instances of hurt, disappointment and helplessness…Be it physical or emotional, offline or online, bullying has taken varied forms and has been haunting students in serious ways. You will find it really distressing if you go through the statistics of a recent survey conducted by Microsoft.

India was ranked third highest after China and Singapore in terms of online bullying rates
53% of Indian children said that they had been bullied online
54% of teens and children revealed that they had been bullied offline
77% of Indian respondents said that they had been bullied either online or offline

Now that is really something. Regardless of gender, religion, socioeconomic environment, or sexual orientation, bullying can occur to any student. The consequences of bullying can turn disastrous if the situation is not handled effectively. Therefore it’s very important to consider the severity of bullying within educational institutions in a timely manner.

Touch me not

“Prepare and prevent, don’t repair and regret”

Sudden shock, instant reactions, discussions, protests and what else! Living in a society where kids are being abused physically has been tormenting our conscience like never before. Beyond small acts of bullying what we hear is sexual abuse of children. Recent examples of child abuse in our country indicate that a large number of children in India are abused sexually at their schools where most cases go unreported.

It is indeed shameful to know that our existing system for protecting the safety of children is effective neither in helping the victims nor punishing the culprits. Don’t you think it’s high time we have expressed our concerns over this issue? Yes, and there is lot more to be done to protect our children from sexual abuse.

Family matters!

“Spend a few minutes with your child and be the reason for your child’s happiness”

“You mean Arjun? No, he is not like that. He is extremely happy with the school environment and never complains”. This is how Piya reacted when someone brought to her notice the changing behavior of her 10 year old son.

In reality she doesn’t know the problems of her child like many other parents. In a highly sophisticated world of changing lifestyle and social media use, parents are not giving enough attention to their children. In many cases, this turns out to be the cause of loneliness and psychological issues in children which causes problems in their education. Many children are struggling amidst chaos where families are torn apart for petty reasons. The effects of such problems make children disinterested in learning and they may be unable to cope with the school environment. So, it’s very important to sort out such behavioral issues to help children learn with a trouble-free mind.

Support me Miss!

“Teach your students once and let them remember you every time they achieve something”

With the increasing work load and heavy curriculum packages, students find it extremely difficult to cope with today’s educational system. One of the major problems associated with the academic performance of students is the lack of support from teachers and school authorities. As we have discussed in our previous newsletter, quality of teachers in schools is a major concern. Click here to read more

Rather than becoming the torch-bearers of students’ successes, teachers lack the initiative in putting out the best in them. The student-teacher relationship which has been considered special and unique years ago is no more the same. Frankly speaking, the emotional connection between students and teachers are very rare these days. This not only adds to the poor performance of students but also lead to other problems that often stay hidden until a severe issue turns viral!

Many more……

Till now we were discussing the backdrop of problems that compelled the old woman to raise a question like this. You remember the old woman and her question, right? Good. So you also agree that there is a need to find out the reasons behind the issues faced by school children. Is that enough? No. We also need to find out the right solution for tackling such critical issues. So what can be the possible solutions for this problem? Hold back and wait for our next newsletter…

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Edsys

To expand production of its radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and readers which facilitate the Internet of things, a $35 million has been raised by Alien Technology in a new round of funding.

Tags based on RFID (radio frequency identification) acts as a super bar code and it’s easy for RFID readers to wirelessly detect and track RFID-tagged products in the supply chain. Alien’s RFID tags need no batteries.

Alien Technology has previously raised money to manufacture its own chips using an assembly system called “fluidic self-assembly”, where the system was developed by Alien’s founder John Smith, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Alien established many of the industry’s standards as RFID infrastructure took shape in the supply chain and attempted to go public. Even though the company sought to raise $120 million in 2006 due to the changing market conditions, it was forced to withdraw its initial public offerings.

According to Chris Chang, the new CEO, the older technology never reached heights that justified the huge manufacturing facility of Alien in Morgan Hill, California which is in the far south of Silicon Valley. The technology being expensive, Alien shut that down and decided to manufacture products in a traditional manner.

As compared to 230 employees in 2010, Alien has less than 100 employees now. Chang said that due to the attractiveness of the ‘Internet of things’, the company is going through a revival stage as actual orders for RFID readers and tags materialize.

The funding for Alien Technology comes from a new firm named Ruizhang Investment Co. which has many investors in China. This company is determined in deploying RFID for socially responsible purposes. Therefore with its support, a company such as Alien can bring more innovations to the volume RFID market.

This move reinstates the growing importance of RFID tracking systems technology. The numerous RFID applications across a number of industries are proof of the technology’s relevance. In the education sector, RFID vehicle tracking systems are quite popular. RFID tags are used for library management, store management, attendance management and a lot more.

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Edsys

Over the last few years, UAE has grown economically and culturally to compete with the top countries of the world. The native language of Arabic has also played a huge role in the evolution in terms of culture and tradition.

But,

The recent revelations of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) on the poor performance in private schools of Dubai were indeed shocking. It was found that the students scored well in the subject but they could not speak the language properly. It was also found that about 75% of the inspected schools had very less number of students who chose Arabic as their first language or additional language. The reason for such a trend was because the teaching and learning techniques in Arabic were repetitive and hence, it could not instil any interest in the students.

As a result,

KHDA is focusing on the promotion of Arabic language in schools this year. The organization has decided to improve teaching methods, thus invoking the interest in students to embrace the language. The teacher-led workshops and presentations are therefore an effort from KHDA’s side to apply innovative teaching methods and to improve the performance of schools in Arabic.

One of the reasons for the students not being able to pick up the language was that they were taught everything word by word from the textbooks. Schools concentrated only on grades and they passed with flying colors. The reason was simple. Students learned everything by heart and appeared for the exams! Another reason was that schools found it difficult to hire teachers who were fluent in both English and Arabic. In private schools, where most of the students belong to other countries, it is important to have teachers who can communicate in English. Most of the natives in the UAE speak only Arabic. Hiring teachers from Jordan and Lebanon is a solution. But most schools prefer local teachers, considering less payment.

‘What Works’

The event named ‘What Works’ was conducted by KHDA on September 29th. It gave an opportunity for the teachers to interact and share ideas to improve their teaching methods. The educators held discussions and exchanged ideas through teacher-led presentations and workshops, which focussed on Arabic.

‘What Works’ also gave attention to other subjects such as Maths, Science etc. The teachers, who attended ‘What Works,’ gave positive feedbacks on the event. One of the teachers mentioned that the event gave them a new vision into the methods of teaching. During the event, one of the teachers suggested maintaining a sheet that taught students Arabic. The students can use it each day, thus helping them to improve their linguistic skills rather than grades.

The event threw light on the innovative ways that Arabic as a language, can be understood, taught and received. It also highlighted the ways to make the teaching process interesting so that the students get motivated and find the language easy to handle.