The Hindu Editorial (Contentious criteria) – Aug 15, 2023

Editorial Words

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The Hindu Editorial (Contentious criteria) – Aug 15, 2023

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The Hindu Editorial (Contentious criteria) – Aug 15, 2023:

contentious (adjective) – controversial, disputable, debatable.
criterion (noun) – basis, standard, norm, guideline, guiding principle. (criteria is the plural form of criterion).
federalism/federal framework/system (noun) – a system of government in which establishments such as states or provinces share power with a national government.
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) (noun) – PM-USHA is the new name for the Ministry of Education (MoE)’s (RUSA) scheme to improve the quality of higher education in State Universities — through curricular and programme changes, teacher training, physical and digital infrastructure, accreditation, and enhancing employability — while ensuring equity, access, and inclusion.
on board (phrase) – on to a team as a member.
take on board (phrase) – to accept a new idea or piece of advice, and act accordingly.
dissenting (adjective) – opposite, contradicting, disagreeing, conflicting.
mandate (verb) – instruct, direct, order, require, make something mandatory.
National Education Policy (NEP) (noun) – The National Education Policy, 2020 proposes the revision and revamping of all aspects of the education structure, including its regulation and governance, to create a new system that is aligned with the aspirational goals of 21st century education, including Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), while building upon India’s traditions and value systems.
adopt (verb) – embrace, accept, agree to, assume.
academic (adjective) – educational, scholastic, collegiate.
in order to (phrase) – with the aim of; with the purpose of.
avail (phrase) – use, make use of, take advantage of, utilize.
exclusivist (adjective) – relating to the doctrine/belief that only one particular belief or system is true.
Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) (noun) – it is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), launched in 2013 aims at providing strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions. The central funding (in the ratio of 60:40 for general category States, 90:10 for special category states and 100% for union territories) would be norm based and outcome dependent. The funding would flow from the central ministry through the state governments/union territories to the State Higher Education Councils before reaching the identified institutions. The funding to states would be made on the basis of critical appraisal of State Higher Education Plans, which would describe each state’s strategy to address issues of equity, access and excellence in higher education.
equity (noun) – fairness, justness, neutrality, lack of bias, impartiality.
excellence (noun) – a measurement of an individual’s progress and growth; skill, talent, merit, brilliance.
centre of excellence (noun) – a place where highest standards are followed/observed.
Centre of Excellence (COE) (noun) – a team of skilled knowledge workers whose mission is to provide the organization they work for with best practices around a particular area of interest.
memorandum of understanding (MoU) (noun) – a formal (written) agreement between two (bilateral) or more (multilateral) parties outlined in a formal document.
get on board (phrase) – agree or accept with an idea/opinion and participate in a project.
embrace (verb) – adopt, accept, agree to, assume.
inter alia (adverb) – Latin for “among other things”.
commitment (noun) – duty, obligation, responsibility, onus, liability, accountability; adherence, allegiance, dedication.
National Credit Framework (NCrF) (noun) – it has been developed jointly by a High Level Committee constituted by the Government with members from UGC, AICTE, NCVET, NIOS, CBSE, NCERT, Department of School Education and Learning & Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, DGT, and Ministry of Skill Development. NCrF is a comprehensive credit framework encompassing elementary, school, higher, and vocational education & training, integrating creditization of learning on in various dimensions i.e. academics, vocational skills and Experiential learning including relevant experience and proficiency/ professional levels acquired.
choice based credit system (CBCS) (noun) – The CBCS, as the UGC explains, is a “cafeteria-approach to education’. “CBCS renders (provides) a student the freedom to choose what and at what pace they would study”. The choice based credit system not only offers opportunities and avenues to learn core subjects but also exploring additional avenues of learning beyond the core subjects for holistic development of an
condition (noun) – term, specification, requirement, stipulation, constraint, provision.
outlay (noun) – expenditure, expenses, spending, outgoings, money spent.
earmark (verb) – keep, reserve, set aside, allocate to, allot to, set apart, put aside, designate, give over to.
state-run (adjective) – government-owned.
despite the fact that (phrase) – even if.
the fact that (phrase) – used to refer to a specific situation under consideration/discussion.
borne past participle of bear (verb) – absorb, support, take on, carry, handle, incur.
implementation (noun) – application, enforcement, imposition, introduction.
measure (noun) – action, step, procedure.
restore (verb) – bring back, reestablish, reinstate.
Concurrent List or List III (noun) – the list which includes the power to be considered by both the union and state government (as given in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India).
State List or List II (noun) – it includes subjects that give powers to the state governments. (as given in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, the legislative section is divided into three lists: the Union List, State List and Concurrent List).
Union List or List I (noun) – it includes subjects that give powers to the union government. (as given in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, the legislative section is divided into three lists: the Union List, State List and Concurrent List).
The Emergency (noun) – In India, “The Emergency” refers to a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had a state of emergency declared across the country. Officially issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed under Article 352 of the Constitution because of the prevailing “internal disturbance”, the Emergency was in effect from 25 June 1975 until its withdrawal on 21 March 1977.
backdrop (noun) – situation, scenario, context.
tailor (verb) – customize, adapt, adjust, modify, change.
impose (verb) – apply, enforce, exact, inflict, thrust.
backdoor (noun) – against the rules, incorrect, improper or unethical way of doing something.
by/through the backdoor (phrase) – indirect ways to do something intended.
adoption (noun) – assumption, approval, endorsement, acceptance, support.
Multiple Entry and Exit System (MEES) (noun) – The cynosure (central point) of the new National Education Policy (NEP 2020) is the Multiple Entry/Exit System (MEES) in higher education. It allows a student to drop their course and resume it when convenient. A student unable to continue his/her studies due to financial difficulties can exit to find a job and make money so that the studies can be resumed. In other words, the MEES is an opportunity for financially challenged students to complete their studies on their own.
National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) (noun) – The University Grants Commission (UGC) has formulated the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) with the aim to facilitate transparency and comparability of higher education qualifications at all levels. The purpose of the framework to recognize and accredit qualifications offered by different types of institutions engaged in higher education, including vocational education and training, and technical/professional education in India as envisaged in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It also aims to provide points of reference when setting and assessing academic standards, designing curricula, teaching-learning-assessment strategies, and periodic review of programmes.
stakeholder (noun) – a person with an interest in something.
possibly (adverb) – maybe, perhaps, very likely.
trigger (verb) – cause, lead to, result in, produce, bring about, generate, give rise to.
dropout (noun) – discontinuation, termination, withdrawal.
emphasis (noun) – importance, significance; priority, insistence.
evoke (verb) – bring/call to mind; invoke, give rise to, bring forth, induce, arouse.
afford (verb) – pay for, bear/meet the expense of, have the money for
pursue (verb) – continue, take up, go in for, apply oneself to, take part in, participate in.
acquire (verb) – obtain, get, gain, secure.
besides (preposition) – apart from, other than, excluding, barring, in addition to.
call for (phrasal verb) – require, publicly ask/necessitate, demand.
revisit (noun) – reexamination, reconsideration, reevaluation, reanalysis.
operational (adjective) – functioning, functional, operative, running, working, in action.
circumstances (noun) – context, background, backdrop, conditions, situations.
prudent (adjective) – wise, well judged, well advised, shrewd, sensible, careful, circumspect, far-sighted
negotiate (verb) – talk, discuss terms, hold talks, discuss a settlement, arbitrate, parley.
terms (noun) – conditions, stipulations, specifications, provisions.