SHARON RESPONDS TO US PRESIDENT BUSH'S REMARKS

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Bureau late Thursday evening March 7,
2002, issued the following statement in response to US President
George Bush's remarks:"Prime Minister Sharon welcomes the initiative of President Bush, who proposed dispatching General Anthony Zinni to the region with the goal of bringing about the implementation of the Tenet plan which is
designed to lead to a cessation of violence and to calm. Prime
Minister Sharon values and appreciates the work of General Zinni and
the efforts he has made in halting the violence, terror and
incitement."

Sharon met on Thursday, March 7, 2002, in his
Tel Aviv office, with US House of Representatives International
Affairs Committee member Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL), Peace Center
Chairman Danny Abrahams and US Ambassador to Israel Daniel C.
Kurtzer.

Rep. Wexler and Mr. Abrahams gave their impressions of their recent
visit to Saudi Arabia and their meetings with Saudi Crown Prince
Abdallah, who explained the main points of his initiative to them.

Prime Minister Sharon emphasized to his guests that Israel is
committed to the Tenet and Mitchell plans but added that we are also
prepared to listen to and study the details of the Saudi initiative.
The Prime Minister said that while the Saudi initiative was
interesting, given the complexity of the problem, a direct dialogue
is important so that Israel can present its positions.

Prime Minister Sharon made it clear that in contrast to various
reports, Israel is not waging war and has not declared war on the
Palestinians. Israel is realizing its right to self-defense in the
face of a terrorist onslaught which was forced on it by the
Palestinian Authority. "My goal was, and remains, to reach a
cease-fire and negotiations on a settlement, even after 17 months in
which Arafat has adopted strategies of terror and a war of terror by
a coalition of terrorist organizations in cooperation with the PA
security forces such as Force 17 and the Tanzim," the Prime Minister
said.

Prime Minister Sharon thanked Rep. Wexler and Mr. Abrahams for their
support and assistance and emphasized that he is determined to
continue an unceasing struggle against terror while simultaneously
striving for a cease-fire and a dialogue that will lead to a
settlement. The Prime Minister expressed his confidence that this
goal is attainable despite the difficulties.

Indian School Board to introduce New Rules based on Parents Survey

Indian School Patron may seek nominations from parents outside self-nomination'

Five members of Indian School Darsait may leave

CBSE Students get out of syllabus questions

 

The CBSE Mathematics examination in various exam centers in the Gulf became a nightmare for many students because of the presence of out of syllabus questions in the question paper. According to students who attended CBSE Maths examination yesterday, questions worth 12 marks were from outside the prescribed syllabus. Many of the students were worried about its impact on the total marks scored by them in a crucial examination. Authorities in various Indian schools have assured the parents and students that they would write to the CBSE authorities about the problem. 'The question paper contained two questions from outside the prescribed syllabus. Students were really worried and some of them were found crying,' said one of the parents. It is not the first time that such a miss is taking place in CBSE Examinations.

 

keralamonitor.com March 6, 2002.

 

Indian School principal salary RO 130 per month!

 

Teachers caught for leaking out question papers to tuition students

Recently, a group of teachers in a leading Indian school were caught red handed for leaking out question papers of school examinations to their tuition students. Doing tuition is a decent way of making money, but the method followed by the 'tuition syndicate' needs to be taken as an eye opener to the school authorities. Many eyebrows were raised when even an average student scored nearly 100 per cent mark in some of the tough subjects. A student who used to get average 50 per cent marks in school examinations earlier started getting 100 per cent mark in examinations after joining the 'special tuition'. Even the parents were surprised by the magical formula adopted by the school teachers to educate these children through special tuitions.

Naturally, parents of other brilliant students in the school were concerned and started an investigation using the student network. They got the information that the teachers who are either involved in making the question paper or who handle them leak out the same selectively to their tuition students before the examination! Understand the dubious method used by the clever teachers to lure other students also to the tuition syndicate'. While this was a clear cheating case by the teachers, no one can blame the teachers who are paid very low salaries compared to other decent professions. These teachers have pledged even their integrity to make money. What will be the moral values of students who are trained by such teachers?

The school authorities took action against the culprits and the tuition racket is busted. However, the situation that prompted them to indulge in such methods to make money still prevails in many Indian schools. Astonishingly enough, the principal of one of the Indian schools used to work for a salary as high as, hold your breath, RO 130 per month!!!!. He was living in a sharing accommodation with another family. The peon in any of the Indian school board members office (their private businesses and offices) or their driver would be making more money than this unfortunate School principal. In one of the best schools, teachers are said to be working for salaries as low as RO 90 per month. An Indian barber or a driver makes more than the salary earned by the school principal or by some of the teachers. In other leading Indian schools, while the principals are drawing decent salary the fate of some of the teachers is pathetic. It is learned that the school principals in other leading schools, especially private schools, earn decent salary.

In the traditional education system in India, a Guru (teacher) is worshipped and there is no limit for Gurudashhina! But in the Indian Schools here, only the management committee members and the board members are worshipped. The qualified principal is often an obedient student of the school committee. In this situation, who has to be blamed for the poor staff morale that may prompt them to indulge in malpractices. Since the teaching staff in Indian schools are paid the lowest salary, it is natural that they indulge in some corrupt practices to lead a decent life in the Gulf. They have every right to expect a decent standard of life. (keralamonitor.com)