Month: May 2018

Confidence, curiosity ensure millennials succeed in career

Loknath Das

I find myself often in a rather unenviable position to predict the future of jobs. In spite of my valiant Nostradamus attempts, I have concluded that predictions are good for TRPs but are potentially misguiding for our youth. India’s job market has witnessed many unpleasant incidents in the past twelve months — while as a nation, through various noisy debates, we kept reacting to the symptoms but did not try to get to the root of the issue. Since childhood, youth here have been told by parents that they need…

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Will my child be forced to switch schools? What parents need to know about N.J. desegregation suit

Loknath Das

The statistics are undeniable. Across New Jersey, hundreds of thousands of black and Hispanic students attend schools that are almost entirely non-white. The question is whether the state should step in to do something about it. A lawsuit filed earlier this month accuses the state of being complicit in allowing one of the most segregated school systems in America and calls for a comprehensive desegregation plan. The legal challenge, filed by a coalition of civil rights groups, has spurred questions about what segregation really means and what changes could be in store for students if the…

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Wilson County Schools weighs drug-testing athletes, which would join Sumner, Trousdale

Loknath Das

Wilson County Schools will explore joining a limited number of districts that administer random drug tests to high school athletes and other extra-curricular participants, which supporters believe can be a preventive measure. The Wilson County School Board recently approved the go-ahead to setup a test program for illegal drugs that begins with formation of a committee to seek input and work on details of the potential program. Specifics would need to be brought back to the board for approval. “From conversations among administrators, sponsors, and coaches, we want to make…

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Free schools boost for England’s worst-performing areas

Loknath Das

The government’s free school programme is being redirected towards the worst-performing areas of England, particularly the North East. Ministers are targeting the next wave of about 35 new schools in the bottom third of lowest-performing areas. It comes after criticism that the free school programme has focused on the wealthier South East. The government will also give councils £50m to create about 740 new school places for children with special needs. The money could help to build facilities including sensory rooms and playgrounds with specialist equipment. It is part of…

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Inflated claims paid to 414 pvt institutes for study tours: Audit

Loknath Das

Unaided colleges yet to be paid Rs 1,600 crore for scholarships Rajmeet Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 20 The Department of Technical Education reimbursed inflated claims made by 414 private educational institutions as study tour expenses under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, an audit has revealed.Covering 40,206 students, the institutions managed to get an excess reimbursement of Rs 23.17 crore, which is not admissible under the study rule charges. The maximum annual admissible rate for a student is Rs 1,600 but the claim made was much more. While seeking…

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Publishers, Coaching Institutes To Pay ‘Royalty Charges’ To Balbharati

Loknath Das

Representational Image Private publishers as well as coaching institutes will now have to pay royalty charges to Balbharati – the state textbook bureau – for reproducing its content in resource materials or supplementary notes. These charges will range from Rs 35,000 to Rs 63,000 per year per book, depending on format of reproduction – print or digital. As per the new policy by the state government’s education department, it won’t be easy for private publishers to reproduce Balbharati’s content without obtaining the required licence. Balbharati has formulated a non-exclusive, revocable,…

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Mumbai: State colleges, institutes strive to improve ranking and grades to win Rs 271 cr funding

Loknath Das

Mumbai: Students of colleges and various institutes may benefit as the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shikshan Abhiyan (RUSA) has supported the ‘Maharashtra Mission 500’ project of the state to improvise 500 colleges, institutes and universities. A budget of Rs 271 crore has been agreed upon by RUSA for developing and improving quality of higher education of the state. The state plans to seek advice from experts to help colleges and universities in securing better ranks and grades to gain this fund. The state has outlined its on-ground goals under RUSA 2.0 which include…

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Real estate career job roles include architects, analysts engineers, lawyers, consultants – there is something for everyone

Loknath Das

There is a wide variety of careers and job roles available in the fast-growing real estate industry. Wherever you go in Mumbai at the moment, the city is adorned with brightly coloured boards saying ‘Mumbai is Upgrading’. The metro, finally a much-needed addition to the packed to the brim train network, seems to be moving full steam ahead and the government seems determined to make a slight dent in achieving some of the infrastructure development targets. In this city alone, there is a new airport proposed, a metro, enhanced east-west…

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Career Options in Science Stream

Loknath Das

Science students are often confused about what the science world holds, given the vast number of options available to them. While the careers options are much straightforward than Arts-based courses, students are confused by the sheer vastness of each subject offered. However, there are numerous career options you can opt for, depending largely on your skills and interest – Engineering Engineering is a good option for people who have a good math and physics background. There are numerous options in Engineering including, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering etc. While…

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How One Provocative LinkedIn Post Can Transform Your Career

Loknath Das

“What if this plane goes down?” Marcus A. Murphy sat down in his seat, anticipating a relaxing, yet productive flight on his way to San Francisco. Suddenly, the conversation in the row before him invaded his consciousness, and he couldn’t help but overhear the dialogue … “Hey, what’s your name? Where are you going? What do you do for a living?” Murphy cringed as he quickly realized the context of the “conversation” and recognized the tragedy taking place. Before their impending flight, Murphy overhead the “Middle-Seat Man” trying to sell…

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