Only perfect students need apply for a place in Delhi University
By Avneet Arora
POSTED: 02 Jul 2013 11:10 AM
Students applying for a place in India's prestigious Delhi University have always known it is difficult to get in, but no one expected that the qualifying grade would have to be an almost perfect score.
NEW DELHI: Gaining admission into India's top ranked Delhi University has never been easy. To even be considered for undergraduate courses, students need to score above 90 per cent for their 12th grade board exams.
This year, it has become even more difficult to get in, as the cut-off grade has reached almost 100 per cent.
It is not only the popular courses that are tough to get in -- even a newly introduced computer science course offered by one of Delhi University's lesser-known colleges has taken the competition to another level.
Rajesh, who is a parent, said: "The competition has become very tough. From the children, the pressure has come onto us also, because we know from the beginning that cut-offs are so high. And our children, even after studying so hard, aren't sure if they will get in."
Economics, commerce, English and journalism are among the most sought after courses -- only half a per cent of applicants, or at best, 10 per cent will be accepted.
However, university administrators said there is still hope for students who did not make the first cut.
Dr Gulshan Sawhney, deputy dean of students welfare at Delhi University, said: "What's happened is that there is an additional eligibility criterion -- if you are a student who did maths with computer science, then there is one cut-off. Whereas if you didn't do those subjects, there is a slightly higher cut-off.
"So there is no need for confusion on this -- if a student has 95 per cent, they are eligible for this. And if you're not on this list, I would recommend you wait till the second list comes out and it is possible you will be on that one."
The university's cut-off grade, which soared past 95 per cent for most courses this year, sparked protests in a few colleges. Student organisations are calling for changes to the admission criteria, which they said favours the rich.
Alok, a research scholar at Delhi University, said: "Most of the students in this country study in government schools. So they cannot compete with those who graduate from private schools. In a way, children of the labourers who toiled to construct this very university building are being denied admission."
With 7,000 students scoring above 95 per cent in 2013, it is hard to hold colleges responsible for the high cut-off grade. But the call to review admission criteria remains a valid one. With a curriculum that promotes rote learning and lax grading standards, it is hard to imagine a bright future for the education system if it doesn't change its approach.
- CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, July 7, 2013
106-year-old bungalow goes up for bidding
106-year-old bungalow goes up for bidding
POSTED: 02 Jul 2013 7:28 PM
The black and white bungalow at Gallop Road is being up for tender after being vacant for over a decade.
SINGAPORE: A 106-year-old property is being put up for tender after being vacant for over a decade.
The black and white bungalow at Gallop Road used to be the residence of a French Ambassador. The house is now a state building managed by the Singapore Land Authority.
The price for renting this 150,000 square foot property is over S$50,000 a month but property analysts said they don't expect aggressive bids for it.
David Poh, senior director at real estate agency PropNex, said: "Probably, it is launched not at a right time. With such a big plot and quite a high rental when the economy is not really performing that well, I don't foresee a lot of bids for this plot of land."
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 02 Jul 2013 7:28 PM
The black and white bungalow at Gallop Road is being up for tender after being vacant for over a decade.
SINGAPORE: A 106-year-old property is being put up for tender after being vacant for over a decade.
The black and white bungalow at Gallop Road used to be the residence of a French Ambassador. The house is now a state building managed by the Singapore Land Authority.
The price for renting this 150,000 square foot property is over S$50,000 a month but property analysts said they don't expect aggressive bids for it.
David Poh, senior director at real estate agency PropNex, said: "Probably, it is launched not at a right time. With such a big plot and quite a high rental when the economy is not really performing that well, I don't foresee a lot of bids for this plot of land."
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
MSF to investigate alleged childcare abuse incident
MSF to investigate alleged childcare abuse incident
By Sara Grosse and Kimberly Spykerman
POSTED: 07 Jul 2013 7:51 PM
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will conduct a thorough investigation of the alleged childcare abuse incident at My First Skool, said Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing on Sunday.
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will conduct a thorough investigation of the alleged childcare abuse incident at My First Skool, said Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing on Sunday.
The investigation will include the training of the centre's staff, their supervision, and incident management procedures.
The acting minister said the findings will be shared with other childcare operators to allow everyone to learn from it.
Mr Chan added that his ministry is looking at the case very seriously as it concerns the safety of children.
He said: "This is a very timely reminder of the heavy responsibility that all of us have in taking care of children, as childcare operators and also as education providers.
"There are rules in place, there are frameworks in place for the conduct of any activities and lessons and we expect all these rules and frameworks to be followed and of course we will also be looking to see how all this can be improved to give our parents the sense of assurance."
The minister also said that there are considerations to implement CCTVs across the pre-school sector.
He however cautioned that while such surveillance has been useful in resolving misunderstandings, technology should not be seen as the solution.
The quality and commitment of teachers should be more important, he said.
Separately, Senior Minister of State for Education Indranee Rajah said the alleged incident underscores the fact that it is important for all childcare centres, or any place with children under their care, to ensure that their charges are well looked after.
She added that while the exact circumstances of the case are not known yet, it is important that the matter is being looked into.
Ms Indranee also said that the child's health and well-being is the most important thing.
She said: "At the present time, because investigations are still ongoing it's still premature to reach definitive outcomes... but I think that it's important the matter is being looked into. What I can say in general is that all childcare givers would obviously have to make sure that the children under their care are properly taken care of.
"One must always bear in mind that children are young, they're vulnerable, they obviously don't think and act like adults. And so long as they are under your care, you must ensure that the environment that you place them in, and the way you interact with them are in their best interests."
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
By Sara Grosse and Kimberly Spykerman
POSTED: 07 Jul 2013 7:51 PM
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will conduct a thorough investigation of the alleged childcare abuse incident at My First Skool, said Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing on Sunday.
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will conduct a thorough investigation of the alleged childcare abuse incident at My First Skool, said Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing on Sunday.
The investigation will include the training of the centre's staff, their supervision, and incident management procedures.
The acting minister said the findings will be shared with other childcare operators to allow everyone to learn from it.
Mr Chan added that his ministry is looking at the case very seriously as it concerns the safety of children.
He said: "This is a very timely reminder of the heavy responsibility that all of us have in taking care of children, as childcare operators and also as education providers.
"There are rules in place, there are frameworks in place for the conduct of any activities and lessons and we expect all these rules and frameworks to be followed and of course we will also be looking to see how all this can be improved to give our parents the sense of assurance."
The minister also said that there are considerations to implement CCTVs across the pre-school sector.
He however cautioned that while such surveillance has been useful in resolving misunderstandings, technology should not be seen as the solution.
The quality and commitment of teachers should be more important, he said.
Separately, Senior Minister of State for Education Indranee Rajah said the alleged incident underscores the fact that it is important for all childcare centres, or any place with children under their care, to ensure that their charges are well looked after.
She added that while the exact circumstances of the case are not known yet, it is important that the matter is being looked into.
Ms Indranee also said that the child's health and well-being is the most important thing.
She said: "At the present time, because investigations are still ongoing it's still premature to reach definitive outcomes... but I think that it's important the matter is being looked into. What I can say in general is that all childcare givers would obviously have to make sure that the children under their care are properly taken care of.
"One must always bear in mind that children are young, they're vulnerable, they obviously don't think and act like adults. And so long as they are under your care, you must ensure that the environment that you place them in, and the way you interact with them are in their best interests."
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
Teacher in alleged child abuse case arrested
Teacher in alleged child abuse case arrested
By Kimberly Spykerman
POSTED: 07 Jul 2013 5:11 PM
The teacher involved in an alleged child abuse case at a childcare centre in Singapore has been arrested, said police.
SINGAPORE: The teacher involved in an alleged child abuse case at a childcare centre in Singapore has been arrested, said police.
Chief Executive Officer of NTUC First Campus Chan Tee Seng had earlier said he was "disturbed and saddened" by the alleged incident that took place at My First Skool on Friday.
CCTV footage showing a woman dragging a boy to a corner and pushing him roughly has gone viral online. The woman is believed to be the child's teacher.
The three-year-old boy suffered a hairline fracture in his left shin.
Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, Mr Chan said the injury was due to mishandling by the boy's teacher.
Mr Chan said the teacher's conduct was "totally unacceptable" and that she has been placed on immediate suspension.
"The due process is underway, and we will not hesitate to take the appropriate action for wrongdoings," he said.
He told reporters that the 51-year-old teacher has been teaching at My First School part-time since 2009, and that no complaints had been made about her before.
To assure parents, NTUC First Campus has set up a dedicated line to address concerns and will step up engagement and training of staff to reinforce right conduct, behaviour and practices.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
By Kimberly Spykerman
POSTED: 07 Jul 2013 5:11 PM
The teacher involved in an alleged child abuse case at a childcare centre in Singapore has been arrested, said police.
SINGAPORE: The teacher involved in an alleged child abuse case at a childcare centre in Singapore has been arrested, said police.
Chief Executive Officer of NTUC First Campus Chan Tee Seng had earlier said he was "disturbed and saddened" by the alleged incident that took place at My First Skool on Friday.
CCTV footage showing a woman dragging a boy to a corner and pushing him roughly has gone viral online. The woman is believed to be the child's teacher.
The three-year-old boy suffered a hairline fracture in his left shin.
Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, Mr Chan said the injury was due to mishandling by the boy's teacher.
Mr Chan said the teacher's conduct was "totally unacceptable" and that she has been placed on immediate suspension.
"The due process is underway, and we will not hesitate to take the appropriate action for wrongdoings," he said.
He told reporters that the 51-year-old teacher has been teaching at My First School part-time since 2009, and that no complaints had been made about her before.
To assure parents, NTUC First Campus has set up a dedicated line to address concerns and will step up engagement and training of staff to reinforce right conduct, behaviour and practices.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
My First Skool cooperating with police on alleged child abuse case
My First Skool cooperating with police on alleged child abuse case
POSTED: 07 Jul 2013 1:00 PM
NTUC's My First Skool said it is co-operating fully with the police on the case of alleged child abuse at its centre located in Blk 192 Toa Payoh Central.
SINGAPORE: NTUC's My First Skool said it is co-operating fully with the police on the case of alleged child abuse at its centre located in Blk 192 Toa Payoh Central.
My First Skool also said the teacher involved has been suspended with immediate effect.
It added that the safety and welfare of the children is top priority and that it takes this responsibility very seriously.
Its statement was in response to an alleged child abuse incident which resulted in a boy having a hairline fracture in his leg.
Video clips of the alleged incident have gone viral.
My First Skool said its main focus is the child's welfare and that the parents of the child have requested for a transfer to another centre in its network.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development said it is aware of an alleged incident at My First Skool.
The ministry added child safety remains its paramount concern and that it is investigating.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 07 Jul 2013 1:00 PM
NTUC's My First Skool said it is co-operating fully with the police on the case of alleged child abuse at its centre located in Blk 192 Toa Payoh Central.
SINGAPORE: NTUC's My First Skool said it is co-operating fully with the police on the case of alleged child abuse at its centre located in Blk 192 Toa Payoh Central.
My First Skool also said the teacher involved has been suspended with immediate effect.
It added that the safety and welfare of the children is top priority and that it takes this responsibility very seriously.
Its statement was in response to an alleged child abuse incident which resulted in a boy having a hairline fracture in his leg.
Video clips of the alleged incident have gone viral.
My First Skool said its main focus is the child's welfare and that the parents of the child have requested for a transfer to another centre in its network.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development said it is aware of an alleged incident at My First Skool.
The ministry added child safety remains its paramount concern and that it is investigating.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
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