Daily News Analysis (Prelims + Mains) – 20th November 2018
General Study – II
Topic:
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Literacy levels in rural India suffer from migration of families
Context: Literacy levels in rural households of India dip with seasonal migration, the UNESCO global education monitoring report 2019 has observed, bringing out the educational challenges thrown up by migration.
In India, 10.7 million children aged 6 to 14 lived in rural households with a seasonal migrant in 2013. About 28% of youth aged 15 to 19 in these households were illiterate or had not completed primary school, compared to 18% of the cohort overall,” says the report
About 80% of seasonal migrant children in seven cities lacked access to education near work sites, and 40% are likely to end up in work rather than education, experiencing abuse and exploitation
Construction sector
The report says that the construction sector absorbs the majority of short-term migrants. “A survey in Punjab state of 3,000 brick kiln workers in 2015-16 found that 60% were inter-State migrants.
Between 65% and 80% of all children aged five to 14 living at the kilns worked there seven to nine hours per day.
About 77% of kiln workers reported lack of access to early childhood or primary education for their children,” it says.
Inter-State migration rates have doubled between 2001 and 2011. “An estimated 9 million migrated between States annually from 2011 to 2016
It also warns of the negative impact on education for children who are left behind as their parents migrate: “Test scores were lower among left-behind children aged 5-8.”
Addressing the issue
The report, however, acknowledges that India has taken steps to address the issue.
“The Right to Education Act in 2009 made it mandatory for local authorities to admit migrant children.
National-level guidelines were issued, allowing for flexible admission of children, providing transport and volunteers to support with mobile education, create seasonal hostels and aiming to improve coordination between sending and receiving districts and states.
The report says some State governments have also taken steps for migrant children’s education. It, however, observes that most interventions are focused on keeping children in home communities instead of actively addressing the challenges faced by those who are already on the move.
It also talks of a failed initiative: “A pilot programme used on brick kiln sites from 2010-2011 in Rajasthan to track the progress of out-of-school children did not improve learning in any substantial way.
Teachers on the sites cited culture, language, lifestyle, cleanliness and clothing as major barriers between them and the kiln labour community. Teacher and student absenteeism were rampant.”
The report sees the growth of slums and informal settlements — where schools are often scarce — due to migration as a challenge. “18% of the students displaced by a riverfront project in Ahmedabad dropped out and an additional 11% had lower attendance,” it says, citing an example.
The report shows there is only one urban planner for every 1,00,000 people in India, while there are 38 for every 1, 00,000 in the United Kingdom.
Topic for Prelims
Ease of Doing Business Grand Challenge
The Prime Minister launched the Ease of Doing Business Grand Challenge Marg in New Delhi.
The objective of this challenge is to invite innovative ideas based on Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data Analytics, Blockchain and other cutting edge technology to reform Government processes.
The platform for the this Grand Challenge is the Startup India Portal.
AirSewa 2.0 AirSewa Champion Award
Upgraded version of AirSewa 2.0 web portal and mobile app launched by Ministry of Civil Aviation.
AirSewa 2.0 include features such as secure sign-up and log-in with social media, chatbot for travellers support, improved grievance management including social media grievances, real-time flight status and details flight schedule.
The upgrade and improved version of AirSewa operates through an interactive web portal as well as through a mobile app for both android and iOS platforms and will offer passengers a convenient and hassle-free air travel experience.
On the ocassion Champion Award given to Chennai airport which saw hundred percent timely closure of grievances in one year.
Industrial Park Rating System Report
Commerce Ministery Releases the report on Industrial Park Rating System prepared by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) of Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Industrial Park Rating System is proposed to be translated into an annual exercise.
Rating System will cover 3000 parks and the industrial parks have been rated on 4 points: internal infrastructure, external infrastructure, business services and facilities and environment, safety management.
Coverage would be widened and updated to bring in deeper qualitative assessment feedback, bring in technological intervention and develop it as a tool that helps effectively for demand driven and need based interventions both by policy makers and investors.
Repot will be useful tool for policy makers and investors at the click of a button.
General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM)
The 26th meeting of the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) was held at Palais des Congrés, Versailles, France.
Meeting was very special and historic as the members have voted for the redefinition of 130 years old “Le grand K – the SI unit of kg” in terms of the fundamental Planck’s constant(h).
Kilogram’s definition will be changed officially- on 20th May, 2019, also known as World Metrology Day.
Definition change can hardly make difference to most people as it would not change baking ingredients on a kitchen scale, or even have an any effect on the tons of goods shipped globally every day.
Definition change can affect astronomers calculating the movements of stars and galaxies, pharmacologists trying to define doses of medications sown to the molecule as this new standard of measurement could change the way they work.
In India the dissemination of SI units for the welfare of society and industries is the responsibility of Legal Metrology, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.
About CGPM
CGPM is the highest international body of the world for accurate and precise measurements.
The CGPM comprises 60 countries including India and 42 Associate Members.
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), the main executive body of CGPM has the responsibility of defining the International System of Units (SI).