Andaman and Nicobar Administration

Directorate of IP&T  

Port Blair August 08, 2005  

Improving educational quality in Islands

On the eve of Kranti Diwas, A&N Administration announces an ambitious project with a potential for educational kranti in the Islands.  

As Andaman & Nicobar Islands emerges from the effects of the Tsunami disaster, inspite of very adverse conditions of weather and logistics, the A&N Administration has been able to complete the erection of all the intermediate shelters for the affected local people.  This has created the necessary confidence and resolve in their minds to continue to face the challenges.  

At this juncture, it is necessary to acknowledge and appreciate the huge support lent by various NGO’s.  

Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana (BJS), is also one such Pune based NGO of national repute who specializes in disaster management and education.  A&N Administration is happy to note that BJS relied on its past experience and developed expertise in the educational field to conduct a needs assessment and has now accepted the challenge of improving the educational quality in all the 390 schools in A&N.  Among these 390 schools are 321 Government schools catering to 88,893 students and within these 321 schools, are 61 schools located on remote islands which cater to 6884 tribal students.  

          A&N Administration is encouraged by unique “public-private” partnership model to address the issue of quality-upgradation in the schools under the name “BJS-Andaman Nicobar Educational Quality Improvement Program (BJS-EDUQIP)”.  BJS-EDUQIP aims to deliver holistic education to the children of A&N Schools, by implementing some highly researched programs without the need for changing the syllabus or the teachers or the existing system.  The deliverables through this project focus on 6 thrust areas namely: (1) Support decision makers to face the challenges in education, (2) Leading towards holistic development of the students, (3) Empowering teachers for better educational delivery, (4) Guidance for better utilization of resources, (5) Building bridges with technology, and (6) to collectively contribute to  Nation Building through Excellence in Education.  

This model was showcased at Port Blair during the month of April, 2005 and was attended and evaluated by education officers, school principals and teachers.  Further, Education Department had appointed a 4 member expert committee, which participated and independently evaluated the need and quality of these showcased programs.  The expert group has recommended implementation of these programs in all the schools in A&N Islands from this academic year itself.  

Accordingly the A&N Administration concluded and signed an MOU with BJS on the 18^th July, 2005, to allow BJS to implement the BJS-EDUQIP project in A&N Islands for a period of three years.  The crucial component in the MOU being that the BJS shall implement these programs totally FREE of COST.  A&N Administration assured smooth implementation by constituting a 5 Member empowered Joint Committee “Andaman Nicobar BJS EDUQIP Schools Improvement Committee (AN-BASIC)” to monitor the implementation of these programmes. The Committe shall report to the Director (Education) and shall be chaired by Mr. P.K. Roy, ADE(Admn), Directorate of Education and other members include Shri Lucas Robert, DEO, South Andamans, Dr. R.P. Pandey, Principal DIET, Shri Hemant Misra, BJS Director (A&N).  

BJS had already shown great enthusiasm in taking the responsibility for the reconstruction of 20 damaged schools and all the 4 Primary Health Centres and 30 Primary  Sub-Centres.  Some of these permanent structures are ready for inauguration.  BJS is building them totally free of cost.  

Administration announces ambitious project for

 improving quality of education in Islands

LG to visit Mayabunder

                   The Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Prof. Ram Kapse will pay a visit to Mayabunder on August 10, 2005. He will visit Webi village and release Karen Reader Book at school premises.

          The Lt. Governor on his visit will be accompanied by the First Lady Smt Smita Kapse, Chief Secretary, Shri D.S. Negi, Secretary (Education), Shri. Uddipta Ray, Chief Engineer, APWD, Shri. G. C. Khattar and Assitant Director (Education), Shri P.K. Roy.

          On completion of visit, the Lt. Governor will return to Port Blair the same day.

Accommodation for PBMC employees inaugurated

          As many as 48 quarters for Safai Karmacharis of the Port Blair Municipal Council have been constructed at Brookshabad Ward No. 17. At a function held today the Chief Secretary, Shri D.S. Negi inaugurated the newly constructed accommodation.

          Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary complimented the Council for extending the facility to its employees to improve their living condition.

          Welcoming the chief guest and those present on the occasion, the Chairman of the Council, Shri K. Krishnan, said that in addition to the housing facility, amenities like community hall-cum-shopping complex and school are proposed to be provided for the benefit of the residents of the area.

          The Secretary, PBMC, Shri C. Uday Kumar highlighted the salient features of the residential accommodation.

          The Vice Chairman of the Council, Shri P. Ganeshan proposed the vote of thanks.  

The Chief Secretary, Shri D.S. Negi unveiling the  plaque at the inaugural function of the new  housing blocks for Safai Karmacharis of PBMC at Brookshabad	A view of the newly constructed housing blocks  for Safai Karmacharis of PMBC at Brookshabad

Portion of MG market collapses

          The first floor roof and verandah of the rear wing of the block-I of the Mahatma Gandhi Market at Mohunpura collapsed at about 10 AM this morning. One or two persons sustained minor injury in the incident. Out of a total of 36 shops, 13 were affected in the incident. Following the collapse of the portion of the market, fire tenders were called for rescue. Few persons who were on the first floor of the market were rescued to safety. The block has been considered unsafe. Caution has been given to all the occupants to leave/vacate the premises immediately.  

Portion of the Mahatma Gandhi Market

at Mohunpura collapses

Arrival of MV Swaraj Dweep

       The vessel MV Swaraj Dweep is expected to arrive at Port Blair from Vizag on Aogust 09, 2005 at 1400 hours. She has on board 973 passengers. On arrival the ship will be berthed at Haddo Wharf and passengers will be disembarked immediately.  

          Local weather forecast for Port Blair and neighbourhood valid for next 24 hours Issue time 1730 IST on 8^th August, 2005

          Mainly cloudy sky with light to moderate rain or thundershower will occur at a few places accompanied with gusty surface wind 45 to 55 KM per hour mainly from westerly direction.       

          Maximum temperature will be around 31° C on Tuesday.

Port Blair

Fishermen bulletin

(Valid for next 24 hours)

            Strong westerly wind speed berween 45 and 55 KM per hour and rough to very rough seas likely along and off Andaman and Nicobar coast.