- Activities to be conducted from block to state levels under National Discovery Campaign in UP
- UP govt releases Rs 17.46 crores to the districts for the operation of the programs
By Our Correspondent
Lucknow: With the aim of promoting curiosity-based education and fostering a scientific mindset among students of upper-primary schools, as well as providing opportunities for experimentation, and popularizing science, mathematics, and technology, the Yogi government has decided to initiate various activities under the National Invention Campaign in Uttar Pradesh.
Accordingly, directions for the implementation of activities have been issued at the district and development block levels by the government. These activities include organizing quiz competitions at the block level, science exhibitions at the district level, and ensuring exposure visits for children within and outside the state.
For the execution of these programs, the state government has approved a budget of Rs 17.46 crore in the Annual Action Plan and Budget for 2023-24, which is being released to the districts. It is noteworthy that the “National Invention Campaign” is being conducted by the Ministry of Education of the Government of India. The Yogi government is now advancing this program in Uttar Pradesh.
Quiz competition will be organized at block level
The State Project Director, Vijay Kiran Anand, has issued guidelines and action plans related to the implementation of activities to all Basic Education Officers across districts. According to this, a quiz competition related to science subject will be organized by the headmaster and teachers of science and mathematics for the children of council upper primary schools.
Notably, participation of class 6 with 01 student, class 7 with 02 students, and class 8 with 03 students showcasing exceptional performance from each upper primary school will be ensured in the block-level quiz competition.
If the performance of students in any class is not satisfactory, the headmaster will select a maximum of 06 students from more than two classes. At the development block level, under the guidance of the Block Education Officer, the coordination will be established with the ARP and the headmasters of upper primary and composite schools (classes 6 to 8) to organize the quiz competition.
Furthermore, science and mathematics teachers will be appointed as per the requirement to evaluate the copies of the students. Ten percent of the approved total budget for the block-level quiz competition will be awarded to those students who participate in the district-level science exhibition.
Science exhibition will be organized at the district level
Additionally, a district-level science exhibition will be conducted, ensuring the participation of a total of 100 students. The children will be inspired to create models on current science-related topics, and the science teachers and ARP will provide expected support. Out of the models displayed by the students in the district level science exhibition, 10 best models will be selected on the basis of excellence by the jury committee of experts and they will be rewarded. For this purpose, a committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the DIET Principal at the district level.
Accordingly, the best 10 children participating in the science exhibition to be organized at the district level will be given certificates and a set of science related book and equipment, souvenirs, science kit, microscope and cash prize. A list of the students obtaining the first and second positions for the state-level exposure visit will be sent to the State Project Office after the approval by the Chief Development Officer and District Magistrate.
Arrangements will also be made for children’s exposure visits
Under the National Invention Campaign program, a one-day exposure visit of 100 children selected per development block will be conducted under the leadership of Block Education Officer. Care will be taken to ensure equal opportunities for boys and girls as well as children from various categories.
Children representing the district-level science exhibition will be included in the exposure visit. Participation in the exposure visit will be ensured by two teachers of Science and Mathematics or Headmaster, ARP of Science and Mathematics of the concerned development block and Block Education Officer of the concerned development block along with the children.
In the exposure visit, at least two female teachers, or ARPs, will be included to ensure the convenience of female students. The exposure visit will cover establishments within the district or nearby districts, such as sugar mills, planetariums, newspaper printing presses, regional science city museums, national botanical research institutes, Institute of Horticultural Technology, industrial units, laboratories, scientific research institutes, etc.
