Introduced for the first time for Class VI students: Summer camps in Delhi govt schools a hit with kids

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Since May 11, Aradhana has been spending three hours every morning from 7.30 to 10.30, dabbling with colours at painting classes, learning to make handicrafts and a few Rajasthani folk songs, working on her Maths and language skills, and has not once complained about ‘studies’.

“Yahan toh mazzaa aata hai. Lagta nahi ki padh rahe hain par kitna kuchh seekh sakte hain. (It is fun here. It doesn’t feel like we are studying yet we get to learn so much),” she quips, looking up from her worksheet nervously.

Today’s worksheet gives her a brief history of the Yamuna, the number of dams on it as it courses through Delhi, how it stands dried up and polluted, and how, as a young resident of the city, she could help revive the lost river by not dropping waste in it. Once she is done with the worksheet, there is a brief singing session, a round of musical chair, some games, and a treat of buttermilk, salted peanuts and cream biscuits.

“Coming to school is much more fun than staying at home. We learn to sing and paint and get some tasty snacks too. My brother wants to attend the camp too but he is too young,” says Khushboo Nagvanshi.

Atishi Marlena, adviser to Education Minister Manish Sisodia, says, “For the first time, government school students have a summer camp right in their campus. As the camps have received an overwhelming response, we are thinking of extending it to Classes VII and VIII next year. The idea behind holding the camp for Class VI students was to bridge the gap in their learning as they come from MCD schools and join secondary school… ”

This year, with a budgetary allocation of Rs 10,690 crore, the government has promised to invest not only on infrastructure but on learning methods, sports and other co-curricular activities. A sum of Rs 10 crore was set aside for the summer camp.

“Of the 1,000-odd schools in the city, as many as 551 schools have come on board. While some schools have 100 per cent enrolment, others have fewer students. This is because some students head back to their village during the vacation,” says Marlena.

Principal Mythili Bector points out, “There is a perceptible change in the school environment. Students have been enthusiastic about the camp. In our school, 120 of 124 students in Class VI enrolled voluntarily.”

As the camp ends for the day, Aradhana heads back home, where she hands her younger brother Ashwin the packet of cream biscuits she usually saves and narrates the events of the day.

“We also went to government schools but never heard of a summer camp. I am glad Aradhana gets to go to one. I want her to study and grow up into a smart professional,” Seema beams.