Key Highlights
- The plan: Uttar Pradesh is strengthening "Learning by Doing" in about 586 upper primary and composite PM SHRI schools.
- The money: ₹2.34 crore will be spent on consumables and raw materials, with ₹40,000 for each school.
- The aim: Children will learn through experiments, activities and direct experience, not just textbooks.
- Monitoring: The Education department will track how materials are used and document activities.
- The bigger scheme: PM SHRI aims to turn 14,500+ schools nationwide into model schools under NEP 2020.
In many government schools, science is still often taught by reading about experiments rather than doing them. Uttar Pradesh is trying to change that in its PM SHRI schools.
The state government is strengthening its "Learning by Doing" initiative in about 586 upper primary and composite PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) schools selected for the academic year 2024–25. The idea is to engage children through experiments, activities and practical experiences, alongside textbook learning.
Where the Money Goes
"To facilitate this, consumables and raw materials will be procured at a cost of Rs 2.34 crore, with a budgetary limit of Rs 40,000 set for each selected school," the state government said.
The materials will make sure schools have what they need for activity-based teaching, so that children become active participants in the classroom.
"Engaging, Participatory, Aligned With Curiosity"
Minister of State for Basic Education Sandeep Singh said, "Through 'Learning by Doing', the children will get opportunities to learn via experimentation and experience. Our endeavour is to make the learning process engaging, participatory, and aligned with the children's curiosity."
How It Will Work in Class
- Students will learn concepts through activities, experiments and direct experience, rather than only reading.
- The aim is to bridge the gap between textbook knowledge and practical understanding.
- The Education department will monitor how materials are used and document activities.
- Lessons from past activities will be used to improve future ones.
Why It Matters: Model Schools Need Real Classrooms
PM SHRI is a centrally sponsored scheme meant to develop more than 14,500 exemplar schools aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with a total outlay of ₹27,360 crore from 2022–23 to 2026–27. Experiential learning is a core part of the scheme, with PM SHRI schools also promoting activities such as bagless days.
But a model school is only as good as what happens in its classrooms. Experiments need materials, and activity-based teaching needs supplies that schools often lack. By setting aside a fixed amount for each school, UP is putting money behind the pedagogy that NEP promotes.
There is also a timing factor. The scheme's funding period runs till 2026–27, after which states are responsible for maintaining the standards these schools achieve. That makes it important for states to build lasting habits of hands-on teaching now, rather than one-time purchases.
The Bigger Picture
Under PM SHRI, a maximum of two schools, one elementary and one secondary or senior secondary, are selected in every block. These schools are meant to act as examples for others nearby. If "Learning by Doing" works well in UP's 586 schools, it could serve as a model for the many thousands of other government schools in the state.
The Bottom Line
₹40,000 per school is a modest sum, but it targets a real gap: giving students the materials to experiment, build and explore. The real test will be whether teachers make hands-on learning a daily routine, not just an occasional activity.
With inputs from IANS.
Key Highlights
- The plan: Uttar Pradesh is strengthening "Learning by Doing" in about 586 upper primary and composite PM SHRI schools.
- The money: ₹2.34 crore will be spent on consumables and raw materials, with ₹40,000 for each school.
- The aim: Children will learn through experiments, activities and direct experience, not just textbooks.
- Monitoring: The Education department will track how materials are used and document activities.
- The bigger scheme: PM SHRI aims to turn 14,500+ schools nationwide into model schools under NEP 2020.
In many government schools, science is still often taught by reading about experiments rather than doing them. Uttar Pradesh is trying to change that in its PM SHRI schools.
The state government is strengthening its "Learning by Doing" initiative in about 586 upper primary and composite PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) schools selected for the academic year 2024–25. The idea is to engage children through experiments, activities and practical experiences, alongside textbook learning.
Where the Money Goes
"To facilitate this, consumables and raw materials will be procured at a cost of Rs 2.34 crore, with a budgetary limit of Rs 40,000 set for each selected school," the state government said.
The materials will make sure schools have what they need for activity-based teaching, so that children become active participants in the classroom.
"Engaging, Participatory, Aligned With Curiosity"
Minister of State for Basic Education Sandeep Singh said, "Through 'Learning by Doing', the children will get opportunities to learn via experimentation and experience. Our endeavour is to make the learning process engaging, participatory, and aligned with the children's curiosity."
How It Will Work in Class
- Students will learn concepts through activities, experiments and direct experience, rather than only reading.
- The aim is to bridge the gap between textbook knowledge and practical understanding.
- The Education department will monitor how materials are used and document activities.
- Lessons from past activities will be used to improve future ones.
Why It Matters: Model Schools Need Real Classrooms
PM SHRI is a centrally sponsored scheme meant to develop more than 14,500 exemplar schools aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with a total outlay of ₹27,360 crore from 2022–23 to 2026–27. Experiential learning is a core part of the scheme, with PM SHRI schools also promoting activities such as bagless days.
But a model school is only as good as what happens in its classrooms. Experiments need materials, and activity-based teaching needs supplies that schools often lack. By setting aside a fixed amount for each school, UP is putting money behind the pedagogy that NEP promotes.
There is also a timing factor. The scheme's funding period runs till 2026–27, after which states are responsible for maintaining the standards these schools achieve. That makes it important for states to build lasting habits of hands-on teaching now, rather than one-time purchases.
The Bigger Picture
Under PM SHRI, a maximum of two schools, one elementary and one secondary or senior secondary, are selected in every block. These schools are meant to act as examples for others nearby. If "Learning by Doing" works well in UP's 586 schools, it could serve as a model for the many thousands of other government schools in the state.
The Bottom Line
₹40,000 per school is a modest sum, but it targets a real gap: giving students the materials to experiment, build and explore. The real test will be whether teachers make hands-on learning a daily routine, not just an occasional activity.
With inputs from IANS.