NCERT Director’s first offline visit to a school, MADE EASY SCHOOL, Chhatarpur organizes a first-of-its-kind event.
New Delhi: On 26 February 2022, MADE EASY SCHOOL, Chhatarpur organized a “Skill and Fun Mela” for 3 to 8-year-old children. As the Chief Guest, Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), inaugurated these efforts towards empowering kids with relevant, age-appropriate skills. The Chairman and Managing Director of the MADE EASY Group, Mr B. Singh, and the Managing Director of the MADE EASY Group, Mrs Jyoti Singh, presided over the event, which also witnessed the release of A Handbook on Skill Development for Primary School Students. Eminent educationist Mrs Lata Vaidyanathan was the Guest of Honour. Through this endeavour, the school’s Principal, Mrs Suniti Sharma, along with the school’s teachers, shared a wide range of pedagogical activities for pre-primary and primary school students and their parents.
The mela was organized at a grand scale with nearly 20 skill-development activities such as gardening, block-printing, no-fire cooking, and pottery, among many others. Apart from these, children also showcased their style at a “Kids Fashion Show.” The art installation titled “Tiny Steps Towards a Big Initiative” captivated all attendees as it subtly urged children to take up eco-friendly activities to preserve and rejuvenate Mother Earth. Along with enjoying various games like bowling and hitting the pyramid, children were also enthralled by a katputli show. Even as parents were enthused to watch the talents and creativity of their children, they were also inspired by a counselling session on parenting. Moreover, the school’s original curriculum booklet for this event, Skill Development for Primary School Students, identified how parents could help build their child’s personal, social, communicative, and academic potential.
Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani appreciated the efforts of the school’s management, principal, and teachers towards delivering benchmark quality education. Interacting with the children with great interest and enthusiasm, Prof. Saklani visited each and every skill development venue. He encouraged the use of Hindi and regional languages, inspiring students to go beyond the meaning of their names and to search for their origin in the language. As he emphasized the role of values, ethics, and the institution of the family in shaping the personality of a child, parents were touched by his simplicity and original thought that is nevertheless deeply rooted in tradition. His visit to a primary-school Skill Mela highlights the commitment of the NCERT towards implementing the vision of the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.
The sense of achievement felt by the promising young participants was enhanced by the praise showered on them by Mr. B. Singh. Children enjoyed clicking selfies with him, even as he motivated them to continue working hard at their chosen task. Mrs. Jyoti Singh offered similar inspiration to the children’s parents, who were thrilled to attend an offline event with their child for the first time in years. She was a driving force in arranging the event together with Mrs. Suniti Sharma and the school’s faculty and staff.
In fact, Mrs Lata Vaidyanathan was happy to note that the skill mela upheld the fundamentals of the NEP 2020. She particularly admired the LIVE, in-person skill workshops and spent much time at the organic gardening workshop. Enjoying the enthusiasm of the budding gardeners, she advised the children to name their plants and find out their plants’ botanical names too. Deeply engrossed in their creative pursuits, the young artists offered a delightful sight to the veteran educator.
Participants, both young and old, lavished positive feedback on the school’s initiative. They specifically complimented the school’s beautiful, spacious lawns as well as the sensitive guidance of the teachers who facilitated the activities for children.
MADE EASY SCHOOL has been drawing attention for its innovative pedagogy and its ideal student-teacher ratio. Their online classes have also been in the news for deploying an observer with every teacher to ensure that every child’s needs are met. As Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is becoming the focus of NEP 2020, this school is a frontrunner in implementing its principles in letter, deed, and spirit. Website: https://www.madeeasypreschool.in/skill-fun-mela