Delhi govt schools mandate student-made teaching aids under ‘child-friendly pedagogy' push

Indian Express

5 days ago

Middle school classrooms across Delhi are set to become more interactive and hands-on, as government schools are implementing a new initiative focused on multi-sensory learning through student-created teaching tools.
Under the 'Joyful Learning' programme of Samagra Shiksha-Delhi, students in classes 6 to 8 will co-develop teaching-learning materials (TLMs) with their teachers in core subjects, including languages, social science, and mathematics.
'The aim is to move away from rote memorisation and passive listening and instead introduce tools that involve touch, sight, sound and interaction to support learning', said an official. Additionally, the initiatives will be evaluated periodically based on their effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, ease of implementation, and the ability to engage multiple senses.
According to a circular issued by the department on July 24, the initiative is designed 'to enable children to become motivated and engaged in classes through observation, experimentation, drawing inferences, model building, rational reasoning, and testability'. It also seeks 'to promote student-teacher collaboration and communication'.
All government, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Delhi Cantonment Board schools have been instructed to compulsorily adopt this during the 2025–26 academic year. The circular notes, 'Teaching-learning materials are indispensable in modern education because they enrich the learning experience by making it more interactive, accessible, and effective for students, while also providing teachers with better tools to explain, assess, and manage the classroom.'
These materials are to be developed using easily available and recyclable resources. 'Incorporating students in the creation encourages deeper engagement, creativity, collaboration, and ownership of learning,' it states. 'If the tools are co-created by teachers and students both, the onus of learning will be on both.'
The department explains that in social science, materials such as charts, maps or models help simplify complex ideas. In languages, visual and tactile aids support grammar and vocabulary acquisition. 'Multi-sensory learning with interactive activities caters to varying styles, ensuring that all students can engage with the content effectively,' the circular says.
The programme will roll out in four phases. At the school level, exhibitions held between July 15 and August 14 are being taken into consideration. Each school has an Rs 6,000 fund allocated to prepare materials and organise the event. Selected entries will move to the zonal exhibitions from August 20 to 23, followed by district-level rounds in September. A final state-level exhibition will be held in November this year as per the circular.
'This activity evolves the scope of promoting inquiry-based education and will motivate students to think critically and develop an early habit of innovative learning,' the circular states.
'The creation of TLM by students can be an integral part of child-friendly pedagogies because it promotes active engagement, creativity, inclusivity, and collaboration,' it adds.