Daily Current Affairs 28 July 2023 – IAS Current Affairs

IAS Current Affairs

1 year ago

Current Affairs 28 July 2023 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Embrace of Digital Products in Educational Settings: UNESCO

Source: The Hindu
GS II: Policies and Developmental Studies

Overview

Embrace of Digital Products in Educational Settings: UNESCO – The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2023, titled “Technology in Education: A Tool on Whose Terms,” suggests that cell phones be banned in classrooms where their use does not improve learning.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is cautioning against the uncritical use of digital products in educational settings.
Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay
Their Global Education Monitoring Report 2023 focuses on ‘Technology in Education: A Tool on Whose Terms?.’
The report recommends banning smartphones in schools when their integration does not improve learning or negatively impacts student well-being.
Despite research findings from 14 countries that being near a mobile device can distract children and hinder their ability to study, less than 25% of nations have implemented a ban on smartphone usage in classrooms.
The report also emphasizes the increased costs of providing basic education in areas that require digital infrastructure development, which can exacerbate the issue of uneven access in low-income nations.
Additionally, the study raises concerns about children’s privacy with the improper use of digital technology in education.
The report urges decision-makers to prioritize students’ needs and ensure that child data protection laws and accountability systems are designed with children in mind.

The 2023 GEM Report on ‘Technology in Education: A Tool on Whose terms?’ insists on the importance of utilizing technology in education.
It is crucial to consider its relevance, equality, scalability, and sustainability globally.
The report stresses that the primary concern of educational systems should be the benefit of students, and digital technology must be used as a supplementary tool to human interaction-based education, not as a replacement.
Underserved students can benefit significantly from technology, as it can make education more accessible, cost-effective, and engaging.
The report also highlights the need to improve fundamental skill instruction and acquisition, as well as practical digital skills.
Moreover, the report recognizes the crucial role of technology in educational management, specifically in the assessment and analysis of educational data.
Ultimately, the report advocates for the responsible and equitable use of technology in education to benefit all students.

Source: PIB
GS II: Governance

Overview

Lok Sabha passes Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 in Parliament.

On December 22, 2022, a bill was first introduced in Lok Sabha.
The Joint Committee of the Parliament was then tasked with looking into the matter.
The 19 Ministries and Departments, as well as the Legislative Department and Department of Legal Affairs, participated in extensive deliberations with the Joint Committee on the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022.
The Committee conducted clause-by-clause examination of the Bill through a series of 9 sittings AND adopted its Report.
183 provisions are being proposed to be decriminalized in 42 Central Acts under 19 Ministries/Departments.

What is the purpose of the bill?

The bill changes a number of fines into penalties, removing the need for judicial prosecution to impose penalties.
Additionally, numerous offences are no longer punishable by jail.
The Post Office Act of 1898 is being repealed for all violations.
Certain violations under certain Acts now carry higher fines and punishments.
Every three years, these fines and penalties will be raised by 10% of the minimum amount.
Appointment of Adjudicating officers to finalise penalties with appellate mechanism.

Key features of the Bill

Decriminalising offence
- Imprisonment term decriminalised by imposing only a monetary penalty.
- Example: Personal breach of a lawful contract punishment with a term of 3 year
  Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
  
  imprisonment replaces with a penalty of up to Rs 25 lakh.
- In certain Acts, offences have been decriminalised by imposing a penalty instead of a fine.
Removal of offences
- Certain offences include all offences under the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
Fines and penalties
- Bill increases the fines and penalties for various offences in the specified Acts.
- The fines and penalties will be increased by 10% of the minimum amount every three years.
Adjudicating Officers
- For the purpose of deciding fines, the central government may designate one or more adjudicating officers.
- Appellate mechanisms for orders passed by officers.

Competence of Adjudicating Officers added under environmental laws are a matter of concerns.
Independency in decision making.
Overlapping functions between proposed and existing funds.

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