
Portal launched to monitor progress of STARS project
Jaipur: The state education department Friday launched a portal for monitoring development works done under the STARS (Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States) project.
Rajasthan is one of the six states selected for the STARS project, which focuses on the infrastructure development of schools with the support of the
World Bank
. Other states include Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
Its objective is to ensure overall improvement in the quality of school education, teaching-training, and administrative efficiency.
Officials said that this microsite is the dedicated digital presence of the STARS project, which aims to provide transparent information about the activities related to the project, ensure monitoring of progress, and promote active participation of the public in education reforms.
Through this portal, policymakers, educationists, teachers, students, and the public will be able to see the progress of different activities undertaken as part of the project.
The project focuses on strengthening early education, improving learning assessment, performance of teachers, and classroom practice, among other initiatives to improve the quality of education. Education secretary Krishna Kunal directed the departmental officers to regularly upload details regarding meetings, activities, and documents related to the project on the microsite, so that this platform can become a live and updated information source.
As part of the STARS project, the education department in the past three years conducted training for over 32,500 mentor teachers and anganwadi workers to enhance parental engagement, a key part of monitoring the progress of a student. Under this project, intervention was also done in schools to provide child-friendly furniture to schools where anganwadi centres are also run. "Child-friendly furniture, such as appropriately sized tables and chairs, provides better sitting arrangements, promoting comfort and proper posture.
This helps in retaining students as it increases their attraction to the schools or anganwadi centres," said a senior official. As part of the project, creative wall and floor paintings were also introduced in 210 schools, including KGBVs and MEWAT hostels, to support joyful and visual learning.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Portal launched to monitor progress of STARS project
Jaipur: The state education department Friday launched a portal for monitoring development works done under the STARS (Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States) project. Rajasthan is one of the six states selected for the STARS project, which focuses on the infrastructure development of schools with the support of the World Bank . Other states include Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. Its objective is to ensure overall improvement in the quality of school education, teaching-training, and administrative efficiency. Officials said that this microsite is the dedicated digital presence of the STARS project, which aims to provide transparent information about the activities related to the project, ensure monitoring of progress, and promote active participation of the public in education reforms. Through this portal, policymakers, educationists, teachers, students, and the public will be able to see the progress of different activities undertaken as part of the project. The project focuses on strengthening early education, improving learning assessment, performance of teachers, and classroom practice, among other initiatives to improve the quality of education. Education secretary Krishna Kunal directed the departmental officers to regularly upload details regarding meetings, activities, and documents related to the project on the microsite, so that this platform can become a live and updated information source. As part of the STARS project, the education department in the past three years conducted training for over 32,500 mentor teachers and anganwadi workers to enhance parental engagement, a key part of monitoring the progress of a student. Under this project, intervention was also done in schools to provide child-friendly furniture to schools where anganwadi centres are also run. "Child-friendly furniture, such as appropriately sized tables and chairs, provides better sitting arrangements, promoting comfort and proper posture. This helps in retaining students as it increases their attraction to the schools or anganwadi centres," said a senior official. As part of the project, creative wall and floor paintings were also introduced in 210 schools, including KGBVs and MEWAT hostels, to support joyful and visual learning.


Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
World Bank, ADB delegation visits Amaravati
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) hosted a high-level delegation from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a day-long engagement focused on environmental and social safeguards and made a field visit to capital Amaravati on Wednesday. As part of the city-to-city partnership initiative, Toru Hashimoto, International Partnership Specialist from Yokohama, Japan, shared his insights and experiences on Yokohama's urban development strategies and sustainability practices, offering valuable insights for the development of the capital Amaravati. Hashimoto presented a detailed overview of Yokohama's urban planning models. The session was attended by K Kanna Babu, Commissioner, APCRDA along with Additional Commissioners G Surya Sai Praveenchand and Mallarapu Naveen, and other officials. The discussions during the session were productive and opened new avenues for adopting global best practices in Amaravati's capital development journey. The World Bank and ADB Environmental and Social (E&S) Safeguards team made a visit to various key locations in the capital region. The visiting team comprised Venkata Rao Bayana, Senior Social Development Specialist, World Bank; Saswati Belliappa, Senior Safeguards Specialist (Social), ADB; Ranjan Verma, Social Safeguards Consultant, World Bank; Harshvardhan Singh, Social Safeguards Consultant, ADB; Joseph Akpokidje, Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank; and Damanjit Singh, Environmental Safeguards Consultant, World Bank. The field visit began with an inspection of the RVR Project Site along the E6 Trunk Road, where the team reviewed labour camps and Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) aspects. The delegation then visited the Thullur Skill Development Centre (Job Mela) to understand the livelihood initiatives being implemented for the benefit of local communities. In the later part of the day, the team visited the Ananthavaram Nursery to examine the best practices followed in tree translocation and concluded the visit with a review of water quality monitoring systems at the River Water Quality Monitoring Station. The visit reinforced APCRDA's ongoing commitment to sustainable and inclusive development while adopting international best practices in environmental and social management. The collaboration with global institutions continues to support Amaravati's vision of becoming a world-class capital city rooted in innovation and environmental stewardship.


The Wire
6 days ago
- The Wire
Two Serious Shipping Accidents Off Kerala Highlight the Need for a High Seas Treaty
Oceans are vital to life on earth, producing around 50% of our oxygen, regulating temperatures, storing carbon, and supporting billions through fisheries and ecosystems. Despite their importance, international waters – which account for nearly two-thirds of the ocean – remain largely unregulated. Pollution, resource extraction, and climate pressures have pushed these regions toward ecological crisis, demanding collective global action. Against this backdrop, the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference ( UNOC3 ), held from June 9-13, 2025 in Nice, France, emerged as a milestone in global marine governance. A global gathering with historic stakes Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, UNOC3 brought together over 15,000 participants, including more than 60 heads of state, scientists, diplomats, and civil society leaders. The summit delivered over 800 voluntary commitments and culminated in the adoption of the Nice Ocean Action Plan , a two-part document comprising a political declaration and a broad range of pledges addressing ocean conservation, treaty ratification, ecosystem protection, and marine innovation. Notable commitments included the European Commission's pledge of €1 billion for marine protection, French Polynesia's creation of the largest marine protected area (MPA) to date, and Germany's €100 million programme to clean underwater munitions. Spain added five new MPAs, and Indonesia, in collaboration with the World Bank, launched an innovative 'Coral Bond' to fund reef restoration. These announcements stressed both the urgency and the ambition of the global response. Yet, the conference's centrepiece was the renewed focus on the High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement. The High Seas Treaty: History, purpose, and scope Adopted on June 19, 2023, after nearly two decades of negotiations, the BBNJ agreement is the first legally binding framework to govern marine biodiversity in international waters. It builds upon the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and targets four key areas : Marine genetic resources and benefit-sharing; Marine protected areas (MPAs) and area-based management tools; Environmental impact assessments (EIAs); and Capacity-building and technology transfer. The treaty aims to halt biodiversity loss, regulate resource exploitation, and create mechanisms for equitable access—especially critical for low-income nations often excluded from high seas research and commerce. The Nice conference and accelerated momentum The 2025 Ocean Conference provided a diplomatic breakthrough. Nineteen additional ratifications were announced during the event, pushing the total to 51 out of the 60 required for the treaty to enter into force. French president Emmanuel Macron projected that the treaty could become active by January 1, 2026. Once the threshold is crossed, a 120-day countdown begins. This will trigger the first 'Ocean COP,' where governance structures, enforcement mechanisms, and funding frameworks will be finalised. Crucially, countries that have not ratified by then will forfeit voting rights. The political declaration adopted in Nice, titled Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action , reaffirmed global targets like the 30×30 goal – protecting 30% of marine and terrestrial ecosystems by 2030 – and highlighted support for key environmental agreements like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Criticisms and holdouts: The US and others Despite the treaty's global backing, it has drawn criticism, most notably from the United States. Although the US signed the treaty in 2023 , it has not ratified it. The Senate has yet to approve it by the required two-thirds vote. Critics within the US, particularly under the Trump administration, have voiced concerns over sovereignty, regulatory overreach, and economic impacts on deep-sea mining and fishing industries. Trump's controversial executive order supporting seabed mining and deregulation, and the minimal US delegation at UNOC3, sparked backlash . French officials criticised this stance , echoing president Emmanuel Macron while stating, 'The abyss is not for sale,' contrasting France's scientific approach with what he termed as America's 'rush to Mars.' The US absence also raised concerns about leadership vacuums in ocean governance. By not joining, the US risks ceding influence in future treaty negotiations and implementation decisions. India: Commitment and delay India signed the BBNJ treaty in September 2024, affirming its maritime interests and environmental commitment. Union earth sciences minister Jitendra Singh , speaking at UNOC3, reiterated India's support for the treaty and its ongoing ratification process. However, ratification has stalled. As per reports , India must first amend domestic laws such as the Biological Diversity Act before parliament can approve the treaty. This delay reflects internal legislative priorities, but also hesitations over the treaty's benefit-sharing mechanism, which some officials see as underdeveloped. Given India's vast coastline, dependence on marine ecosystems, and growing maritime security agenda, this delay has raised questions. Critics argue that India's strategic and environmental interests demand faster action. Moreover, as a major player in global south alliances, India's active participation is vital for balancing geopolitical power in treaty implementation. Why the treaty matters more than ever Mounting environmental pressures make the High Seas Treaty especially urgent. According to the United Nations , oceans have taken in the majority of heat generated by greenhouse gas emissions, leading to widespread acidification and rising marine temperatures. Over 1,500 marine species are now considered at risk of extinction. Moreover, plastic pollution remains a massive threat, with an estimated 14 million metric tonnes entering the ocean each year – jeopardising food security, marine life, and coastal economies alike. Moreover, the race to exploit marine genetic resources for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology raises concerns over biopiracy. Without regulation, wealthier nations and corporations could monopolise discoveries just outside developing countries' EEZs. The BBNJ treaty mandates fair benefit-sharing and data disclosure for such research. The treaty also holds promise as a legal bulwark against deep-sea mining. Though not banning it outright, it calls for strict EIAs and international oversight, aligning with growing calls for a moratorium until further environmental studies are conducted. Critics argue that short-term corporate interests should not be allowed to risk irreparable harm to ecosystems that remain poorly understood. Implementation challenges Despite the treaty's historic significance, its implementation will be complex. Monitoring such vast international waters will demand advanced satellite systems, multinational naval cooperation, and legal enforcement mechanisms. Financially, ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG14) remain severely underfunded – currently receiving less than 0.01% of total SDG allocations. Experts estimate an annual need of roughly $175 billion to meet marine conservation targets. Beyond enforcement and financing, institutional structures like a governing COP, oversight panels, and a centralised data hub still need to be created. Finally, ensuring inclusive participation – especially for nations with fewer resources – will require dedicated investment in technology transfer and capacity-building programs. Moreover, commercial interests, especially in fishing and shipping, continue to resist new constraints. A 2024 report by InfluenceMap found that 29 of the 30 largest seafood companies oppose MPAs and lobby against stricter regulations. As marine scientist Enric Sala noted , 'Protection is not the problem – overfishing is. The worst enemy of the fishing industry is themselves.' Shipping disasters: An overlooked threat to ocean health While international treaties aim to secure long-term protections for marine biodiversity, recent events off the Indian coast indicate how fragile ocean ecosystems remain in the face of maritime accidents. These incidents, often sudden and severe, can undo years of conservation gains. The Kerala coast has witnessed two serious shipping accidents within just 15 days, raising alarm over navigational safety and preparedness. The first involved the Liberian-flagged MSC ELSA 3 , which sank off the coast before a full assessment of the environmental risks – including possible oil leaks – could be completed. Before authorities could contain the fallout, a second accident occurred when the Singapore-registered cargo vessel M.V. Wan Hai 503 caught fire approximately 88 nautical miles off Kozhikode. The back-to-back nature of these incidents has heightened fears of potential oil spills and longer-term threats to Kerala's sensitive marine zones. Though containment efforts are underway, environmentalists have expressed concern over gaps in spill response capacity, and the cumulative impact of such events on coastal fisheries and marine biodiversity. These episodes highlight a growing vulnerability in ocean governance : even as global frameworks like the BBNJ Treaty are being advanced, critical gaps remain in operational enforcement and maritime safety. For countries like India – bordering busy sea lanes –strengthening coastal surveillance, emergency response, and ecological risk assessments must go hand-in-hand with treaty ratification and international cooperation. Fragile hope for the planet At the closing of the Nice conference, UN Ocean Envoy Peter Thomson described the event as a pivotal step forward in ocean diplomacy. Yet he emphasised that real progress would depend not on promises, but on follow-through. If implemented with urgency and equity, the High Seas Treaty has the potential to restore oceanic balance, protect biodiversity, and support a fairer future for all nations. Whether it becomes a cornerstone of global environmental governance – or merely another missed opportunity – will depend entirely on the decisions made in the months ahead. K.M. Seethi is Director, Inter University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension (IUCSSRE), Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kerala. He also served as ICSSR Senior Fellow, Senior Professor of International Relations and Dean of Social Sciences at MGU. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.