NCERT issues guidelines to encourage experiential learning
multi-skill development
In a significant move to promote experiential and, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced guidelines to observe ten 'Bag-Free Days' in schools across India. The initiative aims to break away from textbook learning for students of Classes 6 to 8 and instead immerse them in practical and co-curricular activities.The Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT), Government of Karnataka, has instructed school principals to conduct one 'Bag-Free Day' every month, making it ten such Saturdays over the academic year. During these days, students will not carry school bags and will participate in various activities that provide hands-on learning experiences in nature, technology, industry, and vocational skills.An official said that the primary aim of the 'Bag-Free Day' initiative is to reduce the disconnect between theoretical learning and its practical application, thus helping students acquire essential life and career-oriented skills. 'To support this goal, the NCERT, in collaboration with the Central Institute of Vocational Education (PSS Central Institute), has developed a comprehensive 108-page handbook that outlines a range of structured activities,' the official noted. The official said that these activities are designed to promote, encourage teamwork and collaboration, enhance creative thinking and problem-solving abilities, and cultivate soft skills and aesthetic awareness among students.The learning framework has been divided into three key categories to ensure a holistic approach. Under the 'Science, Environment, and Technology' segment, students will participate in activities such as visiting bird sanctuaries and solar parks, conducting soil testing, joining 'Go Green' cycle rallies, identifying trees and birds around the school, spending time in natural settings, and exploring biogas plants, artificial intelligence, cyber security centers, and waste management facilities. They will also carry out surveys related to pet care and animal welfare.In the 'Community and Institutional Exposure' category, students will be taken on field visits to various public institutions including hospitals, government offices, NGOs, banks, railway stations, factories, and vegetable markets. These visits are aimed at giving students firsthand experience of how different sectors operate and interact within the community. For 'Art, Culture, and Creative Expression', the programme encourages students to take part in puppet shows, toy and kite making, organising book fairs, and learning performing arts such as dance, drama, and mime. Additionally, they will visit historical monuments and engage in creative exercises like making art from waste materials.An official said that the NCERT handbook highlights several key activities that will be integrated into the 'Bag-Free Days', including educational tours, field visits, hands-on experiments, environmental studies, community surveys, interviews with parents and locals, as well as group projects and case studies. 'Beyond making learning more interactive and enjoyable, the initiative is expected to help students build a stronger connection with real-world scenarios, ultimately preparing them to make thoughtful and informed career choices in the future,' the official added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
a day ago
- First Post
Sam Manekshaw, Mohammad Usman, Somnath Sharma: Who were India's war heroes added to school textbooks?
Chapters on Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, and Major Somnath Sharma have been included in the current curriculum of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the Union Ministry of Defence said on Thursday. The three are India's war heroes who showed exemplary courage on the battlefield. Here's who they were read more India's three war heroes, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma, have been added to the curriculum of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for the 2025-26 academic year. The Union Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Thursday (August 7) that the chapters on the life and sacrifices of Manekshaw, Usman, and Sharma will be included in the syllabus for Class 8 (Urdu), Class 7 (Urdu), and Class 8 (English), respectively. The move aims to instil students with 'inspirational narratives of courage and duty". STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's take a closer look. Who was Sam Manekshaw? Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, popularly known as Sam Manekshaw, was India's first officer to be conferred the rank of Field Marshal. Born on 3 April 1914 in Amritsar, British India, Sam Manekshaw is hailed for his exceptional leadership. During the Burma War with Japan in 1942, he sustained several bullet injuries. After Independence, Manekshaw, a Parsi, chose India as his home and was transferred to the Gorkha Rifles, where he earned the title Bahadur. He played a crucial role during the India-Pakistan war between 1947 and 1948. Sam Manekshaw was appointed as the Indian Army chief by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in July 1969. One of the most defining moments of his career was the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh. As the Chief of the Army Staff, his leadership led the Indian Army to victory over Pakistan. Manekshaw was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan, India's second and third-highest civilian awards, respectively. Known for his wit, he remains one of the only two military leaders to become a Field Marshal. Who was Mohammad Usman? Brigadier Mohammad Usman is remembered as the 'Lion of Naushera'. He was pivotal in the recapture of Jhangar and Naushera in Jammu and Kashmir during the 1947-48 war between India and Pakistan. Born on July 15, 1912, in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, Usman's father was a police officer. Usman joined the Baluch Regiment of the British Indian Army in 1934. During the partition, the Brigadier stayed in India even though he was offered a plum post in the Pakistani Army by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, reported The Statesman. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Brigadier Mohammad Usman is known as the 'Lion of Naushera'. Wikimedia Commons Brigadier Usman was commanding the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir during the 1947-48 Indo-Pak war. The Pakistani Army, along with Pashtun tribal fighters, launched an attack to conquer vital regions in Kashmir, especially Naushera, located in the Rajouri district. Despite being outnumbered, the Brigadier did not bow down. Instead, he reportedly told his men, 'Do not retreat an inch. Fight to the last man and the last bullet.' Under his leadership, the Indian soldiers defended Kashmir and also forced the enemies to retreat. Brigadier Usman was martyred during shelling in Jhangar on July 3, 1948. He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), India's second-highest wartime gallantry award. ALSO READ: How Major Shaitan Singh Bhati valiantly led India's 120 soldiers against China in Battle of Rezang La Who was Somnath Sharma? Major Somnath Sharma was India's first Param Vir Chakra awardee. Born on January 31, 1922, in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra, he was commissioned in the 4th battalion of the Kumaon Regiment in October 1942. Major Somnath Sharma led the ''D'' Company of 4 Kumaon and established a base at Budgam against the on November 3, 1947, according to a defence spokesperson. On November 3, 1947, Major Somnath Sharma led the 'D' Company of 4 Kumaon to defend the Srinagar airport against around 500 Pakistani forces approaching Srinagar from the northern side. Although he was injured and India faced heavy casualties, Major Sharma showcased extraordinary bravery. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Major Somnath Sharma was India's first Param Vir Chakra awardee. Wikimedia Commons He encouraged his men to continue fighting, even exposing himself to enemy fire. Sharma filled magazines for light machine gunners despite having his hand injured. He eventually died due to a mortar shell. However, his company held to its position for six hours until reinforcements arrived. His last message before his death reportedly was: 'The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.' With inputs from agencies
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Usman added to NCERT books
NEW DELHI: Chapters on the lives and sacrifices of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and top gallantry award winners Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma have been added to the NCERT syllabus this academic year, defence ministry said on Thursday. The newly-introduced chapters, in Class VIII (Urdu), Class VII (Urdu) and Class VIII (English) respectively, aim to provide students with inspirational narratives of courage and duty. Manekshaw, the country's first five-star general, is remembered for his "exceptional leadership and strategic acumen", especially during the 1971 war. Brigadier Usman, posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, was martyred during the 1947-48 conflict in J&K, while Major Sharma became the first recipient of Param Vir Chakra for his heroic defence of Srinagar airport in 1947. "As part of efforts to establish National War Memorial (NWM) as a prominent national landmark, defence ministry partnered with education ministry and NCERT to integrate NWM and related references into the school curriculum," an official said. "Through these stories and their inclusion in the curriculum, students will not only gain insights into India's military history but also absorb important life lessons on resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence, and the importance of contributing to nation-building," the official added.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Chapters on war heroes Manekshaw, Usman, Somnath added to NCERT textbooks: Defence Ministry
Chapters on the life and sacrifices of the late Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Brigadier Mohammad Usman, and Major Somnath Sharma have been added to the syllabus in the current academic year for Class 8 (Urdu), Class 7 (Urdu), and Class 8 (English), respectively, by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the Union Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Thursday (August 7, 2025). The newly introduced chapters aim to provide students with inspirational narratives on courage and duty. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, India's first officer to be conferred the rank of Field Marshal, is remembered for his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Brigadier Mohammad Usman and Major Somnath Sharma, posthumous recipients of the Mahavir Chakra and Param Vir Chakra, laid down their lives in service of the nation and remain symbols of supreme sacrifice, the MoD said. As part of the efforts to establish the National War Memorial as a prominent national landmark, the MoD has partnered with the Union Ministry of Education, and the NCERT to integrate the memorial, and references related to it, into the school curriculum, the Defence Ministry said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the National War Memorial to the nation on February 25, 2019. Located at the iconic Central Vista 'C' Hexagon, India Gate, New Delhi, the memorial was established to inculcate a sense of patriotism, high moral values, sacrifice, national spirit, and belongingness among all citizens, while serving as a tribute to brave soldiers who died for the country. Through these stories and their inclusion into the curriculum, students would not only gain insights into India's military history, but also absorb important life lessons on resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence, and the importance of contributing to nation-building, the MoD said.
