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Teacher's Guide II: Colour change in natural indicators
Full text linkMany natural acid-base indicators show observable changes in colour in contact with acids and bases. A teacher educator shares the changes in colour she observed with different natural indicators
Teacher's Guide I: GBS as a theme for student investigation
Full text linkGBS is in the news and is a matter of strong public concern. How do we use what we know about it to engage our middle-stage (Grade VI-VIII) students in an exercise that introduces them to the process of science? What can they learn about the nature of science from this exercise
Teacher's Guide II: Can all chicken eggs hatch into chicks?
Full text linkA common belief is that all hen’s eggs are non-vegetarian food because they have the potential to hatch into chicks. How do we use textbook concepts on animal reproduction to enable students to critically analyse the scientific validity of this belief? What observations can students make for themselves
Teacher's Guide III: Can eating eggs alter the onset of puberty?
Full text linkA common belief about adding eggs in a child's diet is that it may alter the onset of puberty. How do we use textbook concepts on nutrition and puberty to enable students to critically analyse the scientific validity of this belief? How can we use this exercise to encourage students to make healthier nutritional choices
Pathshala bheetar aur bahar
Full text linkThis issue of Pathshala Bheetar aur Bahar includes some of these important deliberations and approaches. As you are aware, Pathshala is focused on school education and publishes articles rooted in practical experience. It features teachers’ firsthand accounts and effective teaching strategies. Apart from these, it also includes regular columns, such as ‘Pages from Teachers’ Diaries’, ‘In the Company of Books’, ‘Teachers Inspiring Hope’, ‘In the Spotlight’ and ‘Let’s do Some Activities’, which have been introduced in the last issue. Last but not least, there is the special column for your letters called ‘We’ve got mail!’.
This 23rd issue has also been carefully curated, keeping in mind the needs of schools during March, April, and May. This issue offers articles that clarify the purpose of assessment and provide insights on integrating it into teaching practices. You will also find guidance on organising engaging summer camps that promote enjoyable learning.
Additionally, you will find experiential articles focused on strategies and approaches to assist learners who have struggled to achieve expected learning outcomes in the annual exams
Building Capabilities of Informal Workers by Recognition of Prior Learning: The Current Practice and Alternatives
Full text linkRecognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a key pillar of India’s Skill India mission under the National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (NPSDE) 2015, aimed at formalizing the skills of its vast informal workforce, which accounts for over 91% of total employment. By bridging the gap between experiential learning and formal certification, RPL has the potential to enhance employability, economic mobility, and workforce productivity.
However, India's RPL implementation faces significant challenges, including regulatory misalignment, limited industry adoption, and low stakeholder awareness, along with logistical barriers such as evidence verification and assessment costs. Primarily certification-driven, it lacks integration into the vocational training system, limiting its effectiveness as a pathway for skill advancement and higher income. Moreover, RPL is often used as a shortcut to boost certification numbers rather than as a tool for meaningful skill development.
This paper examines the evolution, implementation, and impact of RPL in India using national labor force survey data while benchmarking it against global best practices from countries such as South Africa and the UK. The study identifies key policy gaps and proposes strategic recommendations to strengthen RPL, ensuring it transitions from a certification-centric model to a robust mechanism for workforce inclusion, quality vocational education, and sustainable skill development
Cross state comparison of excess deaths during the covid pandemic in India: Some measurement and methodological considerations
Full text linkThis paper assesses excess mortality in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the year 2021 when the country experienced a substantial surge in deaths. Drawing on newly released official data from the Civil Registration System (CRS) and the Sample Registration System (SRS), and supplemented with estimates based on the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), we construct a range of mortality estimates using multiple baseline comparisons. Excess deaths are calculated in absolute terms, per 1,000 population, and using age-standardised death rates to facilitate cross-state and international comparisons. Particular attention is paid to persistent challenges in India’s mortality data landscape, including regional disparities in death registration completeness, limitations in cause-of-death certification, and inconsistencies between administrative and survey-based sources. The analysis includes alternative projections that adjust for estimated registration completeness, underscoring the sensitivity of mortality estimates to underlying data assumptions. By applying standard demographic techniques such as age standardisation, we attempt to mitigate the effects of India’s heterogeneous age structure and registration coverage. The findings suggest a substantial mortality impact from the pandemic, exceeding officially reported figures, and raise broader questions about the capacity of statistical systems to support real-time health surveillance. We identify correlates in terms of state capacity.These results have implications for public health preparedness, intergovernmental coordination, and the long-term strengthening of civil registration and vital statistics systems in India