Sambalpur: An innovative programme "Teach for Sambalpur" through which volunteers can teach students in government schools was launched here on Sunday.

At least 520 volunteers, mostly students from Indian Institute of Management, Sambalpur, Sambalpur University, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Gangadhar Meher University and many other colleges have enrolled themselves in the programme.

The programme, which is a part of Mo School Abhiyan scheme, is the brain child of collector Samarth Verma. The enrolled volunteers will go to nearby schools of their choice and teach the students or conduct extra-curricular activities. They can do all this after school hours, on weekends or during holidays according to their convenience.

The district administration provided the volunteers with T-shirts having the name of the programme printed on it on the opening day to encourage them. The probationer IAS, Asis Patel, who is co-ordinating the programme, said the volunteers would be issued "Appreciation certificates" by the Sambalpur collector.

Apart from teaching they can also conduct various activities such debates, competitions , games and sports to improve the standard of knowledge of students.

"We are getting encouraging response from the university and college students who are willing to spare time to teach the students in schools," Verma said. Narrating his own experience of teaching, the collector said: "Teaching students is very interesting and I cannot forget the experience in my life. Knowledge should be shared for the benefit of all."

District education officer P.K.Panda said the state government was planning to involve former students, citizens, and various sections of the society for the development of schools. They can help by providing financial assistance, equipment or educational services, he said.