Berhampur: The district administration introduced "zero period" for the first time in Ganjam district at the City High School here.
The students of classes VI to IX of the school built earthen idols, paper hats, make designs on sand and leaves, while some were engaged in group discussion on the negative impact of black magic on the society. Some students staged dance recitals, while some were spotted cleaning the memorial of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, who had visited the school during its platinum jubilee celebrations in 2006.
"They were allowed to do activities of their choice in the zero period under the supervision of a teacher, and almost all the students enjoyed it," said headmaster Surya Narayan Sabat.
The Ganjam district administration has decided to introduce a zero period in selected schools once a week. It will be for at least an hour. "It will be extended to other schools depending on the response it gets. In the first phase, the zero period is being started in 350 out of the 4,000-odd schools in Ganjam," district education officer Sanatan Panda said.
"In many cases, the talent of a child fails to bloom due to lack of scope both at home and in school. Many of them possess creative talents and the zero period is the best platform to showcase those. The children will be allowed to observe, analyse and form their own opinions on various topics," said Sabat. It will enhance their intelligence, thinking capability, confidence and personality, he said.
Ganjam collector Prem Chandra Chaudhury had intimated all headmasters and block education officers while explaining the concept. Necessary materials to conduct the activities during this period should be provided by the school using the school improvement grants under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan.
Private English medium schools introduced the concept years before. "We conduct the zero period on the last part of Wednesdays. It lasts for 45 minutes, during this time, we play word game, musical chair and many others under the supervision of our class teacher," said Sushrirani Panigrahi, a Class VI student of De Paul School, Berhampur.
