Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani launched a new initiative ‘Vidyanjali’ to involve volunteers into co-scholastic activities of schools

Union Minister of Human Resource Development Smriti Zubin Irani initiated a step to inculcate reading habits among children vide a scheme “VIDYANJALI”

Inspiration from: Prime Minister

Venue: New Delhi

Focus:

• To cultivate reading habits among children
• Create a reading culture at School and Community level

Dignitaries:

• Ram Shankar Katheria – Minister of State, Ministry of Human Resource Development
• Subash Chandra Khuntia – Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy
• Henriette Ahrens, UNICEF Deputy Representative for Programmes
• Onno Ruhl, Country Director, World Bank
• Daljit Singh Cheema, Minister for Education, Punjab
• Naeem Akhtar, Minister for Education, J&K
• Rina Ray, Additional Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy

About the Programme:

• Creating an environment to imbibe knowledge and enhancing learning output
• Encouraged sense of participation and willingness to contribute
• Inspire enthusiasm in school children to take up reading and encourage the teaching – learning process at schools
• Extending the support to improve the learning skills and reduce the no. of school drop outs
• To make involvement volunteers to strengthen the co-scholastic activities in Government schools

Evolution of Scheme:

The Scheme is being framed under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to encourage the society involvement in Government run schools and engage children in various skills like reading, creative writing, public speaking, play acting and preparing story books.

MyGov.in:

• Minister requested MyGov team to create a module in the name of Vidyanjali wherein Non Resident Indian society can contribute by extending teaching and learning aids like books and other resources
• Any interested volunteers can register for free and to design their activities in consultation with the school

Test Mode:

• Initially it will be implemented across 21 states in pilot basis
• Many of the eminent personalities extended their support to the initiative and encourage people to participate in the programme