Gujarat Education minister, Jitubhai Vaghani, announced on Sunday, a government-backed ‘100 hours voluntary Samaydan’, a special yajna to mitigate the loss of education during pandemic. More than two lakh teachers to spare extra 100 hours to offset Covid-induced academic loss in Gujarat.
While schools and academics have been online, undeniably learning and education have taken a backseat. Worst off are the children in rural areas who do not have a device or wifi set-up to carry on schooling.
Jitu Vaghani said, “It is like an educational yajna. More than two lakh teachers from state-run schools will donate an additional 100 hours, over and above their routine. To be held from December 2021 to April 15, 2022, for classes 1 to 5, core subjects such as reading, writing and arithmetic will be revised. For students in classes 6 to 8, difficult portions will be assessed and re-done to help refresh knowledge. For the higher grade 9 to grade 11 children, lessons will target preparation for board exams while for the exam-bound class 10 and 12 learners, tutorials will touch upon rigorous preparation for the upcoming tests.”
Mr Vaghani conveyed that the decision has been propelled under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. Details have been drafted by the minister and the secretary of primary and secondary education, Kirtisinh Vaghela.
An appeal has been issued for retired teachers, graduates as well as other voluntary organizations to join in this noble mission. This decision will benefit over 250 primary government and grant-aided schools which operate from Std. 1 to 8.