TOPIC : GS 2 Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Creating critical thinkers
What is the news?
Despite the pandemic unleashing in full force, the debate has entailed a mindless conversation over holding or postponing board examinations instead of exploring alternatives.
Challenges during Pandemic
Students and parents have valid concerns about the future, which include admissions to higher educational institutions.
Considering in a worldwide crisis where India cannot afford to have gatherings of small/big groups in conducting exams
One of the challenges is deemed as students ‘cheating’ if the exams were to be conducted online.
Alternative ways of thinking
Right to education that affirms the importance of formative assessments, teachers could be invited to engage in evaluating student’s performance across the year.
Schools to self­bolster their performance, reports, portfolios, samples of responses and grades could be shared across a pool of schools so that teachers can anonymously assess and provide insightful feedback on student performance, until a sense of self accountability and trust can be cultivated.
Evaluating students on their performance through the year will contribute towards making evaluation and learning much more holistic.
Inviting higher educational institutions to facilitate online entrance exams could be another option to explore as students gear up for college admissions.
Involve students in self and peer evaluations so that the ability to reflect while participating in learning communities and giving/receiving feedback prepares them for that lies ahead.
The National Curriculum Framework of 2005 affirms the importance of embracing the emotional, social, physical and intellectual growth of children within a framework of human values.
Redefining education
It does require a concerted change across curriculum in K­12 schools, the entrance criteria determined by higher educational institutions
Core issues can be engaged with and re­evaluated to prevent students from being trapped in the current system of cramming, rote learning and anxiety.
The government needs to give complete autonomy to educational committees composed of students, teachers, educational leaders, scholars and researchers to advocate, organise and implement this change nationally and internationally.
Way forward
Raising the quality of educational assessments and evaluations by involving higher educational institutions may even prevent a mass exodus to international universities so that young leaders can be nurtured to engage with underlying national challenges and add value by advocating for and sustaining the fabric of a diverse and non­stratified India.
Mains question
The pandemic is an opportunity to re-imagine educational assessments and evaluations. Crtically examine
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/creating-critical-thinkers/article34443186.ece

 

PRELIMS PUNCHERS
1. Hydrogen Round table
The Energy Forum (TEF) and the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, are organised a Hydrogen Roundtable titled “Hydrogen Economy- the Indian Dialogue-2021” in a virtual mode on to discuss emerging hydrogen ecosystems and exploring opportunities for collaboration, cooperation and coalition. The objective of the Roundtable is to understand the progress of Hydrogen ecosystem across continents and contribute to creating synchrony among the thinktanks, Governments and the industry to join forces for developing innovative and sustainable technologies at attractive costs.

The Hydrogen Roundtable, the first of its kind, will comprise a High-level Ministerial Session, followed by five Panel Discussions by eminent policy makers, experts and industry leaders from different geographical regions of the world, with focus on policy roadmaps and mapping demand and supply of Hydrogen.
Sources : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1711805

2. Exercise SHANTIR OGROSENA
Multinational Military Exercise SHANTIR OGROSHENA 2021 (Front Runner of Peace) commenced on at Bangabandhu Senanibas, Bangladesh to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s ‘Father of the Nation’ Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mark glorious 50 years of liberation. Indian Army contingent of 30 personnel are participating along with contingent of Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army from 04 Apr to 12 Apr 2021. Military observers from USA, UK, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore will also be in attendance throughout the exercise.

The aim of the exercise is to strengthen the procedures and enhance interoperability amongst neighborhood countries to ensure robust peace keeping operations in the region. The armies of all the participating nations will share their valuable experiences and refine their drills & procedures in Peace keeping operations.
Sources : https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/apr/01/indian-army-to-participate-in-military-exercise-in-bangladesh-from-april-4-12-2284572.html

3. e- Santa
e-SANTA, an electronic marketplace providing a platform to connect aqua farmers and the buyers. It will enable the farmers to get a better price and the exporters to directly purchase quality products from the farmers enhancing traceability, a key factor in international trade. The term e-SANTA was coined for the web portal, meaning Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA farmers’ Trade in Aquaculture.
National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA) is an extension arm of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA),Government of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It is a completely paperless and end-to-end electronic trade platform between Farmers and exporters. The farmers have the freedom to list their produce and quote their price while the exporters have the freedom to list their requirements and also to choose the products based on their requirements such as desired size, location, harvest dates etc. This enables the farmers and buyers to have greater control over the trade and enables them to make informed decisions
Sources : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1711426

4. Global Forest Goals Report 2021
The Global Forest Goals Report 2021 is the first evaluation of where the world stands in implementing the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030, providing a snapshot of actions being taken for forests, while stressing that it is necessary to meet the 2030 deadline in the Plan. The report finds that while the world had been making progress in key areas such as increasing global forest area through afforestation and restoration, these advances are also under threat from the worsening state of our natural environment.

The report has been produced in two versions that is the full report provides an overview of progress towards the Global Forest Goals, including country actions taken, info graphics, and success stories and a shorter “Overview of Progress” version which highlights overall progress towards each of the six Global Forest Goals.
Sources : https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/covid-19-has-aggravated-challenges-to-manage-forests-un-report-76718

PRELIMS QUESTION
1. Consider the following statement with reference to Hydrogen Roundtable
1.Ministry of New and Renewable Energy have organized the roundtable
2. It comprise a High-level Ministerial Session, followed by ten Panel Discussions by eminent policy makers, experts and industry leaders
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both of them (d). None of the above
Answer 😀

The Energy Forum (TEF) and the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, are organised a Hydrogen Roundtable titled “Hydrogen Economy- the Indian Dialogue-2021” in a virtual mode on to discuss emerging hydrogen ecosystems and exploring opportunities for collaboration, cooperation and coalition. The objective of the Roundtable is to understand the progress of Hydrogen ecosystem across continents and contribute to creating synchrony among the thinktanks, Governments and the industry to join forces for developing innovative and sustainable technologies at attractive costs.

The Hydrogen Roundtable, the first of its kind, will comprise a High-level Ministerial Session, followed by five Panel Discussions by eminent policy makers, experts and industry leaders from different geographical regions of the world, with focus on policy roadmaps and mapping demand and supply of Hydrogen.

2. Global Forest Goals Report 2021 is released by
a. UNEP
b. WWF
c. UNDESA
d. UNDP
Answer : C

The Global Forest Goals Report 2021 is the first evaluation of where the world stands in implementing the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030, providing a snapshot of actions being taken for forests, while stressing that it is necessary to meet the 2030 deadline in the Plan. The report finds that while the world had been making progress in key areas such as increasing global forest area through afforestation and restoration, these advances are also under threat from the worsening state of our natural environment.

The report has been produced in two versions that is the full report provides an overview of progress towards the Global Forest Goals, including country actions taken, infographics, and success stories and a shorter “Overview of Progress” version which highlights overall progress towards each of the six Global Forest Goals.