10th August, 2016 Current Affairs

Dumbing down a pliable work force

(Article analyses the draft new education policy 2016)
A clear understanding of the goals of a policy is necessary to analyse its implementation and outcomes. In
this context, National education policy 1968 and 1986 clearly states the social purpose of education.
Critical analysis of Draft education policy 2016
The draft National policy on Education 2016 is obsessed with fast changing, ever globalising knowledge based
economy and society. It emphasises on employable skills to fit in to a knowledge economy.
Added to this, the education under this policy will endeavour to produce responsible citizens who use
freedom responsibly. It means that citizen is expected to be obedient to the state and shall believe Its in
goodness.
Finally, Knowledge is reduced to the one required to serve the globalised knowledge based society.
Values are defined as ancient cultural values. So, an element of inclusiveness in missing in the policy
document.
A law that allows child labour
An analysis of Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016. The law
prohibits the engagement of children in all occupations and of adolescents in hazardous occupations and
processes wherein adolescents refer to those under 18 years; children to those under 14. The Act also
imposes a fine on anyone who employs or permits adolescents to work.
Challenges
1. it has slashed the list of hazardous occupations for children from 83 to include just mining, explosives, and
occupations mentioned in the Factory Act. Further, even the ones listed as hazardous can be removed,
according to Section 4 not by Parliament but by government authorities at their own discretion.
2. The law allows for child Labour in Family or Family enterprises and artistic Audio visual entertainment
industry. This clause can be misused and it can make the implementation of The law difficult. It also does
no0t define the number of hours child can work.
3. The law will restrict the children to traditional caste based occupations for generations. (Government
states that the exemptions for family employment are provided to allow families to pass on traditional
skills to their children.)
Suggestions
1. The National Policy on Child Labour of 1987, implemented in 1988, adopted a gradual approach that
combined the strict enforcement of laws on child labour with development programmes to address the
root causes of child labour like caste and poverty. Over a period of time there is a clear cut down of
finances to these programmes. Revising these funds is very critical for fighting child Labour.
2. If traditional occupations are to be protected, it should have to be done through education and school
based activities.
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10th August, 2016 Current Affairs

Constitutional connection
Article 24 of the Constitution prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 in factories, mines, and
other hazardous employment. Article 21A and Article 45 promise to provide free and compulsory education
to all children between the ages of 6 and 14. In 2009, India passed the Right of Children to Free and
Compulsory Education Act (RTE).

Monetary Policy
Inflation Targeting is declared as the declared objective of Monetary policy. In this context, the stated
inflation target for 2016 is 6%. As inflation is on the upper side of 5.77%, monetary policy of RBI kept the
rates unchanged.
However, some improvements in growth prospects can be expected soon. These are due to
1. Rise in manufacturing
2. Broad based improvement in business confidence
3. Good monsoon

Feminists are better leaders

Recent essay of President Obama clearly states that
1. Women bare a disproportionate burden of family and career.
2. It is absolutely mens responsibility to fight sexism too.
So, politics are the place where women are most discriminated at. Gender stereotypes need to be fought for
a better and progressive world.

A fleeting opportunity
An analysis of Indian National Defence university bill 2016
The major objective of the university is to achieve coordination in Professional military education. To achieve
this,
1. An academic council need to be created with broader representation from Bureaucracy, military and
academia.
2. Secrecy in its establishment and future functioning need to be avoided.

News
Prime Minister Modi visit to Vietnam
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10th August, 2016 Current Affairs

Prime Minister Modi is to visit Vietnam on his way to G 20 meeting about to be held in China. The visit gains
significance as South china sea issue is in discussion and Vietnam is also a littoral state of South China Sea
and is opposing the Chinas claims and its 9 dash line. India is also considering selling its Brahmos missiles to
Vietnam.
The visit is seen as a perceptible shift in Indias policy towards south China sea. India recently at multiple
forums (India USA joint statement, On PM Modi visit for Japan) Clearly stated the need for freedom of
navigation and overflight on high seas. Its reaction after permanent court of arbitration judgement also
reiterates the same.

Russia Turkey
Turkey president Erdogan and Russian president Putin agreed to reset their ties. Putin agreed to remove the
sanctions against the Turkey.
Background Turkey has shut down a Russian plane on turkey Syria border. It has worsened the relations
and Russia imposed sanctions against Turkey.

BCCI former Supreme Court Judge Katju accused Supreme Court of Judicial activism for interfering in the
work of BCCI.

Kashmir Prime Minister Modi has clearly stated that the path laid by Vajpayee based on insaniyat,
Jamhuriyat and Kashmiriyat will be the way forward for his Government too.

Pollution a research study by National remote sensing agency says that aerosol fumes from ships are
producing severe pollution along the international shipping route in the Bay of Bengal.

Question of the day?

Education in a country has to serve both the social goals and economic goals. Above all, it shall inculcate the
values of collective living. In the above context analyse the challenges in Indian Education system.

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