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Fareeha Iftikhar

Fareeha Iftikhar is a Special Correspondent with the national political bureau of the Hindustan Times. She tracks the education ministry, and covers the beat at the national level for the newspaper. She also writes on issues related to gender, human rights and different policy matters.

Articles by Fareeha Iftikhar

Waterless in first free wi-fi village in Delhi

According to locals, around 100 cases of dengue were reported from the village last year. However, in the absence of any government hospital and medical dispensary, the residents struggled.

Roads were paved and lit in the village adopted by MP Manoj Tiwari, but water and proper medical care is wanting(HT Photo)

elections

Updated on Apr 05, 2019 07:56 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Private schools built on public land in Delhi can’t raise fees till April 8: High Court

The court directed the schools not to charge an interim fee increase. “Till the next date of hearing, none of the land clause schools will proceed to collect the amount constituting the interim fee hike in terms of the October 17, 2017 circular issued by the Appellant no 1 (DoE),” the bench said,

Delhi private schools built on public land cannot raise fee till April 8(Hindustan Times Media)

education

Updated on Apr 05, 2019 08:00 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByRicha Banka and Fareeha Iftikhar

Temporary relief on order allowing private schools to increase fee

Under the land lease agreements of these schools, they cannot increase their fees without prior approval from the DoE. Once a proposal is sent, the DoE will audit their finances and they can be allowed to increase the fee only if they are found to be struggling to manage their expenses.

The school had claimed that they needed to increase their fees to enable them to implement the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission on salaries for teachers and other employees.(HT PHOTO)

cities

Published on Apr 04, 2019 07:38 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByRicha Banka and Fareeha Iftikhar

Girls in JNU ask DJs to stop playing ‘sexist songs’ during cultural nights

The campaign, ‘Dekho magar consent se’, will put out a ‘no-play list’ of songs that objectify women: Organisers

JNU has 18 hostels across the campus, and each organises an annual cultural night at the end of every academic year.(HT Photo)

india news

Published on Apr 02, 2019 05:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

JNU: Left vs Right contest heats up in poll season

University’s right-wing groups bank on nationalism and Pulwama attacks while Left-leaning students are focussing on unemployment and the farm crisis to win support.

Victorious Left student groups take out a march after campus elections last September. Traditionally a Left politics stronghold, JNU has seen rising support for right-wing ABVP in recent years.(Amal KS/HT FILE PHOTO)

india news

Updated on Mar 31, 2019 09:35 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

6,000 to get a second chance at education starting Monday

A first generation learner, Asif couldn’t even identify alphabets when he was admitted to the Special Training Centre (STC) at the Shaheed Hemu Kalani Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Lajpat Nagar last year.

Asif, Nitish and Manish at the Special Training Centre at Shaheed Hemu Kalani Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Lajpat Nagar, on Friday.(Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

cities

Published on Mar 31, 2019 02:11 AM IST

New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

No guest teachers, crisis looms over new school session

The Delhi high court on Friday could not hear a government application seeking a six-month extension of their services.

cities

Updated on Mar 30, 2019 08:12 AM IST

New Delhi | ByRicha Banka and Fareeha Iftikhar

Private schools on government land must take permission before hiking fee: DoE

The move comes after Delhi High Court’s March 15 ruling that quashed the DoE’s order barring these 325 schools from unilaterally hiking fees.

cities

Published on Mar 29, 2019 02:49 AM IST

New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Pay like others or take your kid elsewhere, EWS parents say school asking full fee

St Lawrence Convent, they claimed, told them that the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, is applicable only till the completion of elementary education.

EWS parents say school asking for full fee(Hindustan Times Media)

cities

Updated on Mar 29, 2019 09:51 AM IST

New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: AAP ‘failed to fulfil’ 2015 polls promises, says Rajnath Singh

Addressing an election rally in North East Delhi parliamentary constituency, Union home minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh said unlike AAP, the Modi government has delivered everything it had promised.

Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, at an event in North East Delhi, on Tuesday, March 26, 2019.(Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

elections

Updated on Mar 27, 2019 12:00 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Delhi residence proof mandatory for admission to schools of excellence

The Delhi government has revised the guidelines for enrolment in its five Schools of Excellence, making it mandatory for candidates to submit a proof of residence in Delhi.

education

Updated on Mar 26, 2019 01:33 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Jamia to display letters written by Mahatma Gandhi

In his letter to MA Ansari, dated June 30, 1928, Gandhi wrote about the importance of “Hindu-Muslim unity” for the betterment of the university.

Jamia Millia Islamia will put five letters handwritten by Mahatma Gandhi on display for the public as a part of Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Mar 25, 2019 10:03 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Manish Sisodia urges Delhi University vice-chancellor to extend tenure of college governing bodies

The move comes after the tenure of the governing bodies (GBs) of 28 state government-funded colleges got over on March 8.

Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday again urged the Delhi University (DU) vice-chancellor, Yogesh Tyagi, to extend the tenure of the governing bodies of all state government-funded colleges of the varsity by three months with an immediate effect. Photo by Sanjeev Verma/ Hindustan Times)(Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

cities

Published on Mar 21, 2019 03:19 AM IST

New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Schools in Delhi ask parents to clear fee arrears

Move comes days after HC set aside govt’s order barring private unaided schools built on public land from hiking fee.

Days after the Delhi HC set aside the state government’s order barring private unaided schools built on public land from increasing their fees without permission, many parents on Tuesday complained that schools had started asking them to pay “arrears” .(Biplov Bhuyan/HT PHOTO)

education

Published on Mar 20, 2019 05:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

With barrier-free footpaths, DU is a pedestrian’s dream

With well- maintained footpaths and visibly fewer potholes and pitfalls on the entire Chhatra Marg stretch, a large number of students prefer to walk rather than taking cycle-rickshaws or e-rickshaws.

For most students of Delhi University’s (DU) north campus, taking a walk from the Vishwavidyalaya metro station to their respective colleges and departments, has become a delightful experience in the last few years.(Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)(Sanchit Khanna/HT PHOTO)

cities

Updated on Mar 20, 2019 08:44 AM IST

New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

In Delhi University, Mother- daughter duo receive PhD degrees together

Officials at the University of Delhi said it was first time that a mother-daughter duo had completed their doctoral programme together from the institution although there have been similar cases at the postgraduate level.

Mala Dutta (left) and Shreya Mishra with their degrees(HT)

education

Updated on Mar 17, 2019 09:14 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Delhi government will challenge High Court order on school fee hike

According to the government, the condition was part of the agreement that the government had made with such schools at the time of allotting land.

The Delhi government on Saturday said it would challenge the Delhi high court’s ruling setting aside its order barring private unaided schools built on public land from unilaterally hiking fees.(HT File Photo)

cities

Published on Mar 17, 2019 12:10 AM IST

New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Delhi HC scraps govt order capping pvt school fee

The schools had sought a 15% increase in fees on grounds that they needed to raise the salaries of teachers in line with recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.

The Delhi Parents’ Association (DPA) swiftly criticised the verdict.(PTI/ Representative Image)

cities

Published on Mar 15, 2019 11:55 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByRicha Banka and Fareeha Iftikhar

Manish Sisodia tells DoE to make list of ‘unpopular schools’ allotted to kids under EWS category

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), which will be provided the list, will find out why these schools are “unpopular” among parents. The decision was taken after a large number of EWS/DG candidates did not turn up for admission last year even after they were allotted seats in private schools.

Delhi education minister and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has asked the directorate of education (DoE) to provide a list of private schools where parents are not willing to admit their children in entry-level classes under the economically weaker section and disadvantaged groups (EWS/DG) category.(Sanjeev Verma/HT File PHOTO)

cities

Published on Mar 10, 2019 01:22 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Schools allotted to kids under disability quota in Delhi don’t have special educators: Parents

Hindustan Times had last month reported that only 53 students got admission against 1,322 seats reserved for disabled children in entry-level classes – nursery, kindergarten (KG) and class 1 -- in private schools in 2018-19. The DoE had said the applicants did not turn up for admissions even after four rounds.

A section of parents seeking enrolment of their children at entry-level classes in private schools under the disability quota say the institutes they have been allotted are not equipped to cater to the special needs of their children.(HT File Photo/Representative Image)

cities

Updated on Mar 09, 2019 05:33 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

‘2 of 3 girls in Delhi govt schools stay home on periods’

At least 66% of girls enrolled in government schools across the city either skip classes or take a half day’s leave when they are on their period, found a survey that covered over 10,000 girls during the 2018-19 academic session.

The survey found that 26% of schoolgirls skip classes because of a fear of staining their clothes.(Picture for representation)

cities

Published on Mar 08, 2019 01:35 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Post-Baisoya, DU principals bat for forensics experts to check certificates

The recommendations were made to the committee on undergraduate admission policy, some of whom said the Baisoya case had harmed DU’s reputation.

cities

Published on Mar 05, 2019 12:51 AM IST

New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

DU officials, students may meet CBSE on trans rights issue

Delhi University (DU) officials and students may soon meet with officials of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to discuss the possibility of allowing transgender students to change names and gender in their educational records.

In response to a petition filed by a former transgender student seeking to change name and gender on education records, a bench had, on February 20, expressed displeasure with the CBSE and DU for declining her request.(Picture for representation)

cities

Published on Mar 01, 2019 02:49 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Education remains focus of Delhi budget, city to get two new universities

The Delhi govt has allocated Rs 15,601 crore, 26% of the total budget, for the education sector in its budget for the 2019-20 fiscal. Of the total allocated, Rs 7,818 crore will be used for various plans and schemes.

This was the fifth time in a row that the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) government has allocated the highest share of the budget to the education sector.(File Photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 27, 2019 08:51 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Education the biggest gainer in Delhi budget: new schemes, courses announced, details here

“Education was, is and will always be our top priority. Keeping people illiterate has been a strategy of political parties as of now. But, our government wants to change the face of politics by brining education in the mainstream,” Manish Sisodia said.

Manish Sisodia presenting the annual budget of Delhi on Tuesday(HT)

education

Updated on Feb 26, 2019 07:36 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

CBSE Boards 2019: 50% calls on helpline number are for exam-stress, anxiety

As per the data shared by the board, between February 1 and February 15, as many as 1,356 calls were received on their helpline numbers. “Out of these calls, 619 were made for psychological counselling,” CBSE Senior Public Relations Officer Rama Sharma, said.

CBSE helpline number receives over 600 calls related to exam stress,anxiety(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

education

Updated on Feb 22, 2019 04:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Jamia digitises rare, old books, manuscripts as part of conservation project

Jamia has a collection of around 2,500 rare books and manuscripts out of which 2,230 are digitalised under this project

The entire process was done using DSLR cameras with help from Iran Culture House in Delhi(Burhaan Kinu/HT PHOTO)

education

Published on Feb 21, 2019 04:29 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

CBSE eases exam norms for kids of jawans killed in Pulwama attack, armed forces personnel, here’s what

The relaxations come in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir last week.

CBSE announced relaxations for the children of military and paramilitary personnel fighting terrorism and left-wing extremism.(Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO)

education

Published on Feb 21, 2019 09:19 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Delhi government invites suggestions over RTE amendments in no-detention policy

The Delhi government has invited suggestions from students, teachers, parents and counsellors to help a committee constituted to look into the state’s right to education (RTE) rules in the wake of the Centre’s decision to do away with the ‘no-detention’ policy.

education

Updated on Feb 17, 2019 07:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

Private schools admitted only 53 disabled kids in entry-level classes

As many as 207 candidates applied for 1,322 seats reserved for disabled children in entry-level classes in private schools in but only 53 got admission for the 2018-19 session, the Directorate of Education (DoE) said in an affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court on Monday.

education

Published on Feb 13, 2019 06:09 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByFareeha Iftikhar

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Fareeha Iftikhar

Fareeha Iftikhar is a Special Correspondent with the national political bureau of the Hindustan Times. She tracks the education ministry, and covers the beat at the national level for the newspaper. She also writes on issues related to gender, human rights and different policy matters.

According to locals, around 100 cases of dengue were reported from the village last year. However, in the absence of any government hospital and medical dispensary, the residents struggled.

Under the land lease agreements of these schools, they cannot increase their fees without prior approval from the DoE. Once a proposal is sent, the DoE will audit their finances and they can be allowed to increase the fee only if they are found to be struggling to manage their expenses.

The campaign, ‘Dekho magar consent se’, will put out a ‘no-play list’ of songs that objectify women: Organisers

University’s right-wing groups bank on nationalism and Pulwama attacks while Left-leaning students are focussing on unemployment and the farm crisis to win support.

A first generation learner, Asif couldn’t even identify alphabets when he was admitted to the Special Training Centre (STC) at the Shaheed Hemu Kalani Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Lajpat Nagar last year.

The Delhi high court on Friday could not hear a government application seeking a six-month extension of their services.

The move comes after Delhi High Court’s March 15 ruling that quashed the DoE’s order barring these 325 schools from unilaterally hiking fees.

St Lawrence Convent, they claimed, told them that the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, is applicable only till the completion of elementary education.

Addressing an election rally in North East Delhi parliamentary constituency, Union home minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh said unlike AAP, the Modi government has delivered everything it had promised.

The Delhi government has revised the guidelines for enrolment in its five Schools of Excellence, making it mandatory for candidates to submit a proof of residence in Delhi.

In his letter to MA Ansari, dated June 30, 1928, Gandhi wrote about the importance of “Hindu-Muslim unity” for the betterment of the university.

The move comes after the tenure of the governing bodies (GBs) of 28 state government-funded colleges got over on March 8.

Move comes days after HC set aside govt’s order barring private unaided schools built on public land from hiking fee.

With well- maintained footpaths and visibly fewer potholes and pitfalls on the entire Chhatra Marg stretch, a large number of students prefer to walk rather than taking cycle-rickshaws or e-rickshaws.

Officials at the University of Delhi said it was first time that a mother-daughter duo had completed their doctoral programme together from the institution although there have been similar cases at the postgraduate level.

According to the government, the condition was part of the agreement that the government had made with such schools at the time of allotting land.

The schools had sought a 15% increase in fees on grounds that they needed to raise the salaries of teachers in line with recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.

At least 66% of girls enrolled in government schools across the city either skip classes or take a half day’s leave when they are on their period, found a survey that covered over 10,000 girls during the 2018-19 academic session.

The recommendations were made to the committee on undergraduate admission policy, some of whom said the Baisoya case had harmed DU’s reputation.

Delhi University (DU) officials and students may soon meet with officials of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to discuss the possibility of allowing transgender students to change names and gender in their educational records.

The Delhi govt has allocated Rs 15,601 crore, 26% of the total budget, for the education sector in its budget for the 2019-20 fiscal. Of the total allocated, Rs 7,818 crore will be used for various plans and schemes.

“Education was, is and will always be our top priority. Keeping people illiterate has been a strategy of political parties as of now. But, our government wants to change the face of politics by brining education in the mainstream,” Manish Sisodia said.

As per the data shared by the board, between February 1 and February 15, as many as 1,356 calls were received on their helpline numbers. “Out of these calls, 619 were made for psychological counselling,” CBSE Senior Public Relations Officer Rama Sharma, said.

Jamia has a collection of around 2,500 rare books and manuscripts out of which 2,230 are digitalised under this project

The relaxations come in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir last week.

The Delhi government has invited suggestions from students, teachers, parents and counsellors to help a committee constituted to look into the state’s right to education (RTE) rules in the wake of the Centre’s decision to do away with the ‘no-detention’ policy.

As many as 207 candidates applied for 1,322 seats reserved for disabled children in entry-level classes in private schools in but only 53 got admission for the 2018-19 session, the Directorate of Education (DoE) said in an affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court on Monday.

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