Students in government schools in Meerut are using Infrared sensors to make robotic devices. Not just robotics, these students are also learning and practising the basics of coding, Artificial Intelligence, and astronomy. And it has been made possible because of Mr. Shashank Chaudhary, the Chief Development Officer of Meerut.
Under the project Aadharshila: Naye Meerut Ka Naya Aadhar, the officer is striving to create around 100 labs filled with latest technology practical equipment. One of them is fully functional, 25 others is almost ready, while the work is going on in 50 others simultaneously.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the 2017-batch officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre spoke about the project and its implementation process.
TO INCREASE PRACTICAL TRAINING
The new education policy focuses on practical training in schools. To implement it, Mr. Chaudhary started the Aadharshila project. He said, “The idea was to give practical exposure to the students studying in government schools. Even with lot of efforts by the government and administrative bodies, the perception towards government schools is not so nice. We wanted to provide everything so that the students from a government school and a private school can be on a same platform.”
Now that the Aadharshila experiment has started in a lab, the presence of students in the school has increased by two fold. In fact, the students from nearby private schools are also visiting to see the lab. The lab is equipped with all sorts of devices like computer, IR chips, telescope, etc. The telescope is open for even the villagers to watch the sky in the evening. The officer said: “I am from Delhi and used to visit science museum and planetorium. All those visits helped me learn things I couldn’t from books. I wanted to create something similar for the students so that they could observe, experiment and learn.”
FUNDING
About the funding for these labs, he said that most of it is taken care of by the Gram Panchayat. “The local gram panchayat has been investing a lot in schools. They were getting new furniture and tiling the floors. So, we requested them to invest in this project and they agreed. Besides this, we are getting lot of CSR funds also from all the sugar mills in Meerut.”
CERTIFIED TRAINERS
One major step in this project was to get teachers who could teach the new technology to students. At first around 30 science teachers from government teachers where trained about the basics of coding, robotics and other technology. They have been certified as trained Aadharshila teachers and are training others as well. Mr. Chaudhary said, “Now that they are training the students they have gained lots of respect from the villagers. Learning and getting exposed to new technology is also motivating them for this project. They have been a great support to make this vision a reality.”
The officer’s plan is to create one lab for every 5-6 villages, so that the government schools can compete with the international ones in terms of growth in scientific temperament and education.
