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From holding youth parliaments on Yamuna pollution and meditation modules rooted in the Pancha Kosha to seed funding for teenage start-ups — Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched three educational programmes for students of government schools at ‘Namo Vidya Utsav’ with an aim to “redefine school education” in the Capital.
Organised as part of the ongoing 15-day ‘Seva Pakhwada’, the programmes – Rashtraneeti, Science of Living and New Era of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Vision (NEEEV) — are aimed at removing the distinction between public and private schools, she said. She stressed the new courses aim to instill a business mindset in children, introduce them to artificial intelligence, and make them competent and self-reliant.
The initiatives have been prepared by the Directorate of Education and the State Council of Education, Research and Training.
Rashtraneeti
According to the government, the programme has been designed to promote experiential learning in governance, democracy and national development.
The initiative will include conducting youth parliament sessions, discussing Delhi-centric issues such as Yamuna and air pollution and even holding tours of remote villages. Field exposure, leader interactions, impact surveys and an annual Rashtraneeti Conclave will also be part of the programme.
Students will elect representatives to seven sub-committees – Virasat, Niramaya, Sahitya, Neeti, Eco Club for Mission Life, Prahari and Inclusive – to execute the programme.
Swati, the programme coordinator, said, “A student cabinet has been planned to ensure that all students participate.” The programme will be held on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
Science of Living
Rooted in the Indian Knowledge System, Ayurveda and yoga, this programme is based on the Pancha Kosha model — the five levels of human existence. The aim, as set out in the curriculum, is “transcending the layers to realise the Atman through yoga and meditation”.
The stages of learning focus on different aspects: sensory awareness and environmental sensitivity at the foundational level; cyber awareness and civic responsibility in the preparatory stage; stress management and digital or media ethics in the middle stage; and emotional intelligence, leadership and civic thinking at the secondary stage.
Officials said the curriculum is designed to align with NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023, through meditation, storytelling, community projects and ethical debates.
NEEEV
Focussing on classes 8 to 12, the initiative includes NEEEV Dialogue – live interactions with professors, entrepreneurs and industry experts and start-up stormers, allowing students to ideate and test business ideas.
Around 5,000 students will be selected for financial support of Rs 20,000, while 150 teams will be shortlisted from Class 11 for further mentoring. Theoretical modules on markets, business viability and the use of AI for marketing will be taught.
Veditha Reddy, Director at Directorate of Education, said, “We have prepared the module in such a manner that the curriculum is integrated with the syllabus. The programmes will enhance the socio-emotional well-being of the children.”
A government school post graduate teacher, who attended the event, said, “These programmes are no different from the earlier Business Blasters and Happiness Curriculum initiatives…” The teacher added that the programmes should be conducted by specialised trainers so that existing teachers are not overburdened.
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