The Delhi government is mobilising its forces to roll out the red carpet for tourists expected to arrive during the 2010 Commonwealth Games. And,it believes in catching them young. It has drawn up a detailed plan for over 30,000 school children so that they emerge as gracious hosts and courteous volunteers during the Games. The Directorate of Education on Thursday launched a tailor-made programme for Delhis government schools. Like the Chinese,who introduced mandatory English lessons for its school children before the Olympics,the Directorates YUVA programme is aimed at training children in what it calls life skills. Officials say the programme will help students in the 200-odd schools to project a positive image of the country during the Games. The students will also learn about the history of the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth nations. These 200 schools have been selected by the SCERT,and if the project is a success,it will be implemented in other schools too,said an official from the Education department. Our aim is to help students realise the importance of such events,and be courteous to our guests, he said. Students from Class VI to Class XII will attend at least 40 classes each. They are now being encouraged to talk to each other only in English. The classes are aimed at promoting self awareness,creative and critical thinking,empathy and effective communication. They aim to improve inter-personal relationships with people from other countries. The children will also be taught how to deal with foreigners, the official said. Thirty-six sets of YUVA books in six volumes each have been sent to schools and the teachers have also been trained. Speaking at the 5th Annual Conference of the heads of government schools on August 19,Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had said schools have to play a larger role in making the 2010 Games a success. Principals must inculcate the right values in children and teachers,so Delhi can play a wonderful host to the visitors from 52 nations. The etiquette lessons will be imparted through role play. They will be asked to enact roles in class. For example,a student will play a foreigner and another himself or herself and they will talk to each other. After three months of training,they will be screened and selected, added the official. The government will engage children as helpers for athletic events,ushers in opening and closing ceremonies,interpreters,guides,in running assistance booths,traffic control and crowd management.
