Around 60 lakh students are expected to benefit from the Paray Shikshalay project. Source : Website
As students of Classes I to VII wait for their turn to return to campus, they will start attending open-air classes in the neighbourhood from February 7.
The open-air classes will be held under the West Bengal government's ‘Paray Shikshalay’ (neighbourhood schools) campaign from February 7 onwards, a notification issued by the school education department has stated.
The campaign also aims at conducting extra-curricular activities for the students. Sessions on improving vocabulary and numerical skills, storytelling, rhymes, song and dance will be held during the open-air classes, the notification read.
The open-air classes will be held in two sessions - from 11am to 1pm and from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. All necessary COVID-safety measures will be taken.
West Bengal education minister Bratya Basu said 50,159 schools will be involved in the 'Paray Shikshalay' project. Classes will be held on open grounds adjacent to school buildings. Over two lakh regular teachers and 21,000 para-teachers will impart education to children under the project. Around 60 lakh students would benefit from the project, he added.
"In the COVID situation, we realise a large number of students of many schools, especially in rural areas, are being deprived of classroom teaching which is impeding their growth. Our initiative will enable students to attend classes in the open space in their own locality. It has been hailed by UNESCO,” Basu had said while announcing the campaign.
Pre-primary, primary and middle schools have been shut in West Bengal since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020. On-campus classes resumed for students of Classes VIII to XII on February 3. Educationists said the government should ensure unhindered education for pre-primary and primary school students as well.