Online classes enhancing English & science learning
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Prayagraj: Bridging the educational gap between elite convent schools and govt-run council schools, students of Classes 6 to 8 in Prayagraj are now gaining exposure to English and Science, thanks to an initiative launched in collaboration with IIT Madras.
This online classroom programme, conducted every day from 1pm to 2pm, aims to enhance students' understanding of English and scientific concepts through structured and engaging sessions.
Under the guidance of Vidya Shakti organisation, a fixed timetable has been issued for online classes. On Mondays, students of Class 6 are taught English and Science in two 30-minute sessions each. Similarly, Classes 7 and 8 attend on Tuesdays and Wednesdays respectively, following a rotating weekly schedule.
The programme is only accessible to schools equipped with ICT labs, smart boards, smart TVs, or internet facilities.
However, to maximise participation, Block Education Officers (BEOs) have been instructed to ensure that as many schools as possible are connected to the initiative.
The classes aim not just at textbook learning but also holistic understanding. For instance, during an English session on Friday at the Upper Primary School in Samogar Uruva, students explored the inspirational thoughts of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first President, who famously described education as the most powerful weapon to change the world.
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In the Science session, the focus was on the classification of materials based on their properties. According to Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Devvrat Singh, the initiative is currently in its first phase and has already been rolled out in districts such as Kanpur Dehat, Lucknow, Shamli, Sitapur, Ayodhya, Meerut, and Gorakhpur alongside Prayagraj. An agreement was signed with Vidya Shakti for one year.
For students unable to attend live sessions due to connectivity issues, the teaching materials are also made available on the institution's YouTube channel. The programme officially began on July 2 and is being hailed as a transformative step for primary education in Uttar Pradesh.
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