To make learning more engaging and less stressful for students, the Union Ministry of Education has issued guidelines for the implementation of bagless days for classes 6-8. This initiative, aimed at promoting joyful and experiential learning, was announced on the fourth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
The guidelines, developed by the PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education, a unit of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), outline a 10-day bagless period during which students will be engaged in hands-on learning experiences. These days are designed to integrate practical knowledge with traditional studies, helping students explore various vocational crafts and skills.
“The idea behind 10 bagless days is to make them an integral part of the teaching-learning process rather than an add-on to the existing scheme of studies. It will not only reduce the boundaries between bookish knowledge and the application of knowledge but also expose children to the skill requirements in various work areas, thus aiding them in deciding their future career paths,” the guidelines state.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities such as carpentry, electric work, metal work, gardening, pottery making, and more, depending on local needs and resources. The ministry has emphasized that these activities should be spread out across the academic year, preferably in two or three slots, to ensure comprehensive exposure and learning.
In addition to vocational training, students will engage in community-based activities such as visiting vegetable markets, charity organizations, pet care surveys, kite making and flying, organizing book fairs, and educational visits to places like biogas plants and solar energy parks. These activities are designed to provide a well-rounded education that includes practical skills and community engagement.
Alongside this initiative, the Ministry of Education also launched several other projects to commemorate the NEP anniversary. These include dedicated TV channels for learning various Indian languages, a Tamil language channel, primers for early graders in 25 Indian languages, career guidance guidelines, the National Mission for Mentoring, National Professional Standards for Teachers in braille and audiobooks, and a school innovation marathon organized by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in his message, highlighted the transformative impact of the NEP, 2020. ‘The four-year journey of NEP, 2020, has been about bringing in transformative change in the country’s education system for nurturing a new generation of learners. NEP, 2020, stands as a symbol of hope for transforming the learning landscape, harnessing the country’s demographic dividend, empowering the population, and driving socio-economic development,’ he said.
The Akhil Bharatiya Siksha Samagam, a national education summit, has been conceptualized as an event to celebrate the adoption of NEP, 2020, and to reaffirm the commitment of various stakeholders towards its effective implementation. This summit aims to harness the collective strength of the community to achieve shared educational goals through collaborative efforts.
