Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) has rolled out a new curriculum titled “Sex, Relationships, and Society”, aimed at integrating comprehensive sexuality education in schools in Lucknow. The programme aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) emphasis on life skills, values, and holistic education.
It goes beyond basic biology to cover identity, values, respect, relationships, empathy and social norms in classrooms.
The launch involved teacher training, workshops and a year-long guidance module to ensure safe, effective implementation.
Participating schools include prominent institutions like the La Martinière College, Lucknow, Seth M.R. Jaipuria School and others.
Why it matters: This marks a step forward in bridging the often-ignored area of sexuality education in Indian schools. It may set a precedent for other states and boards to adopt more comprehensive and age-appropriate modules in their curricula.
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📘 2. Tamil Nadu to Introduce Digital Worksheets with Higher-Order Thinking Questions
The state education department of Tamil Nadu is launching interactive digital worksheets for classes I–V, developed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Tamil Nadu. These will include higher-order thinking questions (HOTS) in subjects like English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science.
The pilot will begin next month; for classes VI–IX, general knowledge questions are being introduced.
Smartboards and digital classrooms will be leveraged; monthly releases of worksheets are planned.
Teacher up-skilling programmes are part of the rollout so educators can handle digital tools and HOTS items effectively.
Why it matters: This initiative indicates a shift from rote learning to critical thinking—even at early grades. If implemented well, it could improve conceptual understanding and prepare students for competitive and national-level examinations.
🏫 3. Rajasthan Issues Directive: Anthem, Uniform & Salary Penalties in Government Schools
In a significant policy announcement, the government of Rajasthan has mandated that all government schools and offices under the education/sanskrit/panchayati-raj departments must: sing the national anthem and national song daily; adopt a standard uniform (including teachers) starting 2026.
Failure to comply may result in salary deductions for staff.
This move aims at promoting national pride, uniformity, and discipline in educational institutions.
Teachers and administrators have been given instructions to prepare for uniform implementation in the next academic session.
Why it matters: This order reflects how education policy is increasingly intertwining with larger cultural and administrative objectives—not just academic learning. For schools, it means additional compliance requirements; for students and staff, the uniformity and discipline emphasis may impact daily routines.
📚 4. Student Drops Agriculture Course After Fee Hike in Kerala
A case from Thiruvananthapuram drew attention: a third-year BSc Agriculture student at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani dropped out after being told his semester fee would be raised sharply from ₹15,000 to ₹50,000.
The student comes from a small farming family; the increased cost made continuation impossible.
The total course cost now approximates ₹4 lakh excluding other expenses, raising questions about accessibility and equity in agricultural education.
The incident sparked debate over whether government-run agricultural colleges are affordable and accessible for rural communities.
Why it matters: As education becomes more expensive—even within public institutions—issues of access and equity are thrown into the spotlight. For students, this underlines the importance of checking fee structures, institutional policies, and financial implications before enrollment.
📖 5. “Open Access Week” at Panjab University Highlights Knowledge Equity
The Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, hosted the International Open Access Week (20-26 Oct) via its Department of Library and Information Science.
The theme “Who Controls Our Knowledge?” explored barriers to academic and digital content access, copyright constraints and the role of open knowledge.
Students, researchers and faculty participated in poster competitions, workshops and debates.
The event emphasised how access to academic research and publications can influence education, innovation and equity.
Why it matters: Open access in academic publishing plays a key role in democratizing knowledge. For students and researchers, this signals increasing pressure on institutions to provide open, low-cost access to journals and learning materials.
🔍 What This Means for Students, Educators & Parents
For Students: Be alert to how curriculum changes (digital worksheets, sexuality education) may affect your preparatory efforts. Check your institution’s policy (fees, uniforms, access) carefully.
For Educators & Schools: Digital integration and higher-order thinking skills are becoming central. Teacher‐training and technology infrastructure will be key. Policy directives (like uniforms) may require administrative adaptation.
For Parents: Fee hikes and access issues can affect not just traditional degrees but newer educational opportunities too. Review institutional affordability and learnability carefully.
For Policymakers & Institutions: Emerging trends show a broader definition of ‘education’—beyond knowledge to skills, values, access and equity. Balancing infrastructure (digital, uniform, content) with cost and inclusivity will be critical.
✅ Final Thought
October 28, 2025 marks a pivotal set of education updates—from curriculum reforms (in Lucknow, Tamil Nadu) to institutional policies (in Rajasthan, Kerala) to academic access initiatives (in Punjab/Chandigarh). These trends reflect a broader shift: education is no longer just about textbooks—it’s about values, equity, access and digital readiness. Stay informed. Adapt early. Make sure you’re not just prepared for exams, but for the changing landscape of learning.
