Why is it in news?

• Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the PM-Shri scheme. Under this, more than 14500 schools across the country will be developed on the basis of the standards of New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

• These schools will be developed according to new infrastructure, pedagogy and technology. PM-Shri Yojana is a centrally sponsored scheme.

• Under this scheme, more than 14500 selected existing schools managed by the Central, State, Union Territory or local bodies will be developed.

• Pradhan Mantri School for Rising India (PM-Shri) scheme has been launched to transform selected schools of the country.

Highlights

• According to the Ministry of Education, PM Shree School (PM School for Rising India) is a central scheme. Under this, 14,500 schools across states, union territories and municipal bodies will be redeveloped keeping in mind the key features of NEP, 2020.

• NEP 2020: Under this scheme, equitable, inclusive and happy environment and high quality education will be provided in schools, which will be based on New Education Policy-NEP 2020.

• Green Schools: PM Shree schools will be developed as green schools, where eco-friendly solar lights, LED lights, plastic free, natural farming, waste management etc. will be equipped with facilities.

• PM SHRI Schools as an example will provide mentorship to other schools in the area as well as provide their own leadership.

• With the help of this scheme, the overall intellectual development and better learning ability of the student will be developed.
• Sector Skill Council: Through this scheme, Sector Skill Council will be linked with the local industry to increase employability and provide better employment opportunities which from time to time provides assistance to the children through council means.

• School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF): With the help of School Quality Assessment Framework, key performance indicators will be specified to measure the progress and outcomes of students. Also quality assessment will be done from time to time.

How is PM-Shri School different from Kendriya Vidyalayas or Navodaya Vidyalayas?

• Kendriya Vidyalayas or Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas come completely under the Union Ministry of Education. They are schools fully funded by the central government under central sector schemes.

• But under PM Shree School, existing schools run by the Centre, States, Union Territories and local bodies will be developed. This means that PM Shree schools can be either run by KVS, NVS, state or municipal corporations.

How will PM Shree School be selected?

• PM Shree schools will be selected through challenge mode. Schools will have to apply themselves on the online portal.

• This portal will be opened four times a year, once in every quarter, for the first two years of the scheme. To which the school can apply. Under which schools will compete to become exemplary schools.

Implementation Strategy:

• Samagra Shiksha to PM Shree Schools, will be implemented through the existing administrative framework available for KVS and NVS.

• Other autonomous bodies in PM Shree schools will be included on specific project basis as per requirement.

• To understand the challenges faced in the implementation of National Education Policy 2020 and the progress of these schools will be assessed strictly from time to time.

Why is it in news?

 Recently, India's first needle-free intranasal Kovid-19 vaccine (nasal vaccine) has received emergency use approval from DCGI. It has been developed by the pharma company Bharat Biotech. This news has been confirmed by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Bharat Biotech's ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S COVID-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored) Recombinant Nasal Vaccine by CDSCO for restricted use in emergency situations for those 18 years or older. It has been launched for primary vaccination against Kovid-19 in the age group.

Highlights

• This vaccine has been developed by Hyderabad based pharmacy firm Bharat Biotech. This is a new intranasal vaccine which is given without the help of a needle (injection).

• It is a safer and more effective option. The company's official website mentions that "an intranasal vaccine elicits a broad immune response. It also inactivates IgG, mucosal IgA and T cell responses, and prevents infection. This vaccine is called ChAd36-SARS." -CoV-S is named COVID-19.

• Its development will prove to be important in this fight against the Kovid-19 virus. Because like influenza, COVID-19 infection also travels through the nose and mouth to the lungs. Hence the intranasal vaccine becomes more useful as it is also given through the nose.

• Significantly, it is given without injection, which eliminates the possibility of injury and infection.

• For this the health department does not require trained health workers.

• It can be used more easily in children as well as adults.

• It can be used in large scale vaccination campaigns.

• Its production can be increased relatively easily to meet global demand.

How did Bharat Biotech develop?

• Bharat Biotech has prepared it after various stages of testing.

• In the first phase, its clinical trial was completed on the age group of 18 to 60 years.

• Its second phase was completed in collaboration with the Technology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). In addition, a pre-clinical toxicity study of the vaccine was also conducted.

Why is it in news?

 Recently, Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian Army successfully test-fired six flights of Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System from the Integrated Test Area, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. These flight tests are part of the evaluation tests being conducted by the Indian Army.

Highlights

• The flight test was conducted on high speed targets. These targets were designed for the type of actual threat, to assess the capability of the weapon systems in a variety of situations.

• This included long-range and medium-altitude targets, short-range targets, high-flying targets, and targets that were not easily detectable on radar. Keeping all this in mind, two missiles were fired with speed. The working of the system was also assessed under night and day conditions.

• During these trials, all the designated targets were hit with perfect accuracy. The evaluation found the weapon system and its excellent guidance and control to be accurate. It also included munitions.

• The performance of the system was also confirmed by telemetry, radar and electro-optical tracking system developed by ITR. Senior officers of DRDO and Indian Army took part in the test.

• The test was conducted under deployment of all indigenously developed sub-systems, including indigenous radio frequency seeker, mobile launcher, fully automated command and control system, surveillance and multifunctional radar.

• The novelty of the QRSAM weapon system is that it can operate in a moving position. It has the capability of short-term search, tracking and firing. It has been tested in the past.

• Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and Indian Army for successful flight tests. He expressed confidence that the QRSAM weapon system would be very useful in enhancing the strength of the armed forces.

• Secretary, Department of Defense Research and Development and Chairman, DRDO congratulated the team involved in the successful trials and said that the system is now ready to be inducted into the Indian Army.

Why is it in news?

 Recently Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Defense Minister of Japan Shri Yasukazu Hamada in Tokyo. The two Ministers reviewed various aspects of bilateral defense cooperation as well as regional affairs. They recognized the importance of the India-Japan defense partnership and its important role in ensuring a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Highlights

• During the delegation level talks, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted that the growing complexities in India-Japan bilateral defense exercises are proof of further deepening of defense cooperation between the two countries.

• Both Ministers expressed their commitment to continue bilateral and multilateral exercises including 'Dharma Guardian', 'Gimax' and 'Malabar'. They welcomed the conduct of the Reciprocal Provision of Supply and Service Agreement during Exercise 'MILAN' in March this year.

• The two Ministers agreed that the early conduct of the inaugural combat exercise would pave the way for greater cooperation and interoperability between the air forces of the two countries.

• Raksha Mantri emphasized the need to expand the scope of partnership in the field of defense equipment and technical cooperation. He invited Japanese industries to invest in India's defense corridors, where a conducive environment has been created by the Government of India for the development of the defense industry.

• This year marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. As two strong democracies, both countries strive for a special strategic and global partnership.

• Significantly, after arriving in Tokyo on the night of September 07, 2022, Shri Rajnath Singh began his day by laying a wreath at a memorial dedicated to the personnel of the Self Defense Force of Japan, who laid down their lives in the line of duty. This monument is located in the Ministry of Defence, Japan. He was given a ceremonial guard of honor ahead of the bilateral meeting with the Japanese Defense Minister.

• Defense Minister will participate in the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar today.

• The Japanese side will be represented by Minister of Defense Mr. Yasukazu Hamada and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Yoshimasa Hayashi. The 2+2 dialogue will review bilateral cooperation in all areas and determine the way forward.

Why is it in news?

Recently, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education, Government of India and the Ministry of Education, Government of the United Arab Emirates, on Cooperation in the field of Education.

Highlights

• The objective of this MoU is to further strengthen and expand the scope of the ongoing academic cooperation between India and the United Arab Emirates.

• A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with UAE in 2015 in the field of education which expired in 2018. In 2019, in a meeting between the education ministers of the two countries, it was proposed to sign a new MoU on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.

• The new MoU covers the changes brought in by the National Education Policy 2020 in the education ecosystem of India.

• The objective of this MoU is to promote the exchange of information education, capacity development of teaching staff of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), higher education institutions in both countries for offering tweening, joint degree and dual degree programs. and other similar fields to facilitate academic collaboration.

• This MoU will revitalize educational cooperation and enhance academic mobility between India and the United Arab Emirates to promote mutual recognition of these qualifications.

• This also includes cooperation in TVET as UAE is a major work place for Indians.

• This MoU shall be valid for a period of five years from the date of signing and shall be automatically renewed with the consent of both the parties. Once signed, this MoU will replace the MoU signed with the United Arab Emirates in 2015.

चर्चा में क्यों

·         हाल  ही में प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी की अध्यक्षता वाली केन्द्रीय कैबिनेट ने पीएम-श्री योजना को मंजूरी दे दी है. इसके तहत देशभर के 14500 से अधिक स्कूलों को नई शिक्षा नीति (NEP) 2020 के मानकों के आधार पर विकसित किया जायेगा.

·         इन स्कूलों को नवीन बुनियादी ढ़ाचे, शिक्षाशास्त्र और प्रौद्योगिकी के अनुरूप विकसित किया जायेगा. पीएम-श्री योजना एक केंद्र प्रायोजित योजना है.

·         इस योजना के तहत केंद्र, राज्य, संघ शासित राज्य या स्थानीय निकायों द्वारा प्रबंधित चुनिंदा मौजूदा 14500 से अधिक स्कूलों को विकसित किया जायेगा.

·         प्रधानमंत्री स्कूल फॉर राइजिंग इंडिया (पीएम-श्री) योजना देश के चुनिंदा विद्यालयों का कायाकल्प करने के लिए लांच की गयी है.

महत्वपूर्ण बिन्दु

·         शिक्षा मंत्रालय के अनुसार, पीएम श्री स्कूल (पीएम स्कूल फॉर राइजिंग इंडिया) एक केन्द्रीय योजना है. इसके तहत, NEP, 2020 की प्रमुख विशेषताओं को ध्यान में रखते हुए राज्यों, केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों और नगर निकायों के 14,500 स्कूलों का पुनर्विकास किया जाएगा.

·         NEP 2020: इस योजना के तहत विद्यालयों में समान, समावेशी और खुशहाल वातावरण और उच्च गुणवत्ता वाली शिक्षा प्रदान की जाएगी, जो नई शिक्षा नीति-NEP 2020 पर आधारित होगी. 

·         ग्रीन स्कुल: पीएम श्री स्कूलों को ग्रीन स्कूलों के रूप में विकसित किया जाएगा, जहाँ पर्यावरण के अनुकूल सोलर लाइट, एलईडी लाइट, प्लास्टिक फ्री, प्राकृतिक खेती, कचरा प्रबंधन आदि सुविधाओं से सुसज्जित होगा.  

·         PM SHRI स्कूल एक उदाहरण के रूप में क्षेत्र के अन्य स्कूलों के लिए मेंटरशिप प्रदान करेंगे और साथ ही अपना नेतृत्व भी प्रदान करेंगे.

·         इस योजना की मदद से छात्र के सम्पूर्ण बौद्धिक विकास और बेहतर सीखने की क्षमता का विकास किया जायेगा.

·         सेक्टर स्किल काउंसिल: इस योजना के माध्यम से रोजगार क्षमता बढ़ाने और बेहतर रोजगार के अवसर प्रदान करने के लिए सेक्टर स्किल काउंसिल और स्थानीय उद्योग के साथ जोड़ा जायेगा. जो समय-समय काउंसिल माध्यमों से बच्चों को सहायता प्रदान करे. 

·         स्कूल गुणवत्ता मूल्यांकन ढांचा (SQAF): स्कूल गुणवत्ता मूल्यांकन ढांचा की मदद से छात्रों की प्रगति और परिणामों को मापने के लिए प्रमुख प्रदर्शन संकेतकों को निर्दिष्ट किया जायेगा. साथ ही समय-समय पर गुणवत्ता मूल्यांकन किया जायेगा.

पीएम-श्री स्कूल, केंद्रीय विद्यालयों या नवोदय Read More