Experiential learning shall be promoted in J&K schools in line with NEP 2020: Alok Kumar

JAMMU : To inculcate scientific temper among the students, Samagra Shiksha under the aegis of School Education Department, today launched a model lab- ASTRO PHYSICS namely AAGHAAZ, an indigenous integrated initiative for achieving the goals under quality as envisaged in NEP 2020.

Principal Secretary Education, Alok Kumar inaugurated the first of its kind ASTRO PHYSICS-AAGHAAZ Lab at Girls High School Gandhinagar and also hand first hand information regarding the complete project.

Project Director Samagra Shiksha, Deep Raj, Director School Education Jammu, Ashok Sharma, Deputy Director, Bilal Rashid, Chief Education Officer Suraj Rathore, Field Advisor Jagdeep Padha, Coordinator, Samagra Shiksha, Ajeet Sharma, senior officers of Education Department along with technical experts were present at the occasion.

Also, sessions from academicians, Scientists and Subject matter experts from different Higher Educational institutions and IIT Kanpur shall be arranged for capacity building of Teachers besides conducting various activities in this regard, he said.

Principal Secretary, Alok Kumar, while interacting with the media, said that Scientific temper is an attitude of logical thinking and it explores the actual potential of a child. Brainstorming sessions for children and teachers is the need of hour, which shall lead to best experiential learning at all levels, as envisaged in the NEP 2020 and shall further reduce the learning gaps, he maintained.

He reiterated that, Observation’ plays a key role in making understanding of science and math easy for children. At an early age, subjects like math and science can be introduced to children in a friendly manner, a system which makes ‘learning by observing the surroundings’ practically possible by teaching students about different celestial bodies visible to naked eyes (science), distance of these bodies from earth (Math), he added.

Principal Secretary also maintained that development of scientific temper among the children is essential for overall development of the nation. He also said that, with these initiatives, UT of J&K may have its own Space Scientists like Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the first Space Scientist hailing from J&K in near future.

Alok Kumar also informed that, the intent of setting up of these kinds of labs, where children can visualize the Universe with naked eyes, shall be a boon for the Society which shall improvise the School education system.

He further informed that, 10 Virtual reality Labs, 100 Science Centres shall be established in the current year in various schools, across the UT, which shall give boost to the Scientific attitude of students and teachers.

Principal Secretary also instructed the functionaries of Education Department, to immediately arrange trainings for 376 Science/Physics Teachers, so that the students may get benefit from these labs. Roster shall be prepared for visit of students of nearby Schools for which transportation cost shall be borne by the Directorate of Samagra Shiksha, he asserted.

Alok Kumar also stressed for enhancement of learning outcomes, using technology to empower students and children and use of digital initiatives should be inculcated at all levels. He asked for launch of campaign for Digital Literacy and Financial inclusion, so that students disseminate the message to the society and may cope up with the students of other States/UTs.

Deep Raj, elaborated that, the Project AAGHAAZ has been taken up by the School Education Department in collaboration with IFACET, IIT Kanpur, under which 376 labs shall be established across J&K with financial implication @ Rs. 4.00 Lakh each. Two such Labs in each Education Zone shall be established.