Aligning its vision with New Education Policy (NEP), Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has planned to introduce Play Group from the new academic session in its schools. As per the plan, the existing primary units at its schools would see introduction of pre-primary classes. Here a child can be admitted on attaining the age of 3 years at start of the academic studies for that current year. NMC, by venturing into the Play Group segment, is trying to build up its strength and ensure that economically less privileged class does not feel left out of the education system. The admissions in Play Group later continue with the same school set-up as parents are assured of quality education and this retention of admissions also gels well for the public funded schools.

 

Already, the Government-run schools are facing pressure of retaining its strength as parents, driven by fear of their wards being left out of race and join the crowd of admitting their children in private-run CBSE schools. But the decision of civic body to start the Play Group is part of strategy to catch them young. Also, it would ensure that children from lesser privileged background are not left out of education net and they to can match with their peers in private schools. While, at present, the existing staff at the primary schools would handle the load of running pre-schools, but in case admissions cross 20 in one class, the qualified staff will be recruited.

 

This is so as, at the tender age, the teachers should have valid knowledge of child’s mindset and guide them properly. A sum of Rs 55 lakh is earmarked in the civic budget for introduction of pre-school concept for year 2025-26 academic year. STEM: Even as NMC continues to focus on enhancing the quality of education at its schools, STEM and Robotics labs will be set up by NMC in the next academic year for introducing students to latest technology and provide them hands-on experience. Already, advanced science labs have been set up in 3 middle schools and 2 junior colleges of NMC. Similarly, under Navchetna Project, 14 digital boards will be affixed at 18 schools. Further, computer labs will be installed at 5 schools. This, the officials of Education Department, feel would help develop soft skills and hone their talent. Super 75: Also, the focus on Super 75 will continue this year also wherein bright students are picked up for special coaching to make them ready for competitive tests. Students in Class VIII who score 75 per cent marks are selected for coaching by experts teachers with the aim to make a mark in CA, NDA, Engineer, Medical and other such national talent exams. Such selected students attend special weekend class on Saturday and Sunday at NMC Netaji Market School till their Class X exams. Post Board exams, they continue their coaching and students get uniform, books, bag, travel allowance from NMC.

 

 

To ensure that girl child is encouraged by households to study, NMC, from current academic session, will provide Rs 4,000 per year incentive to the parents. The only condition is that the girl child should have 80 per cent attendance in the school. Since the girl students at NMC-run schools come from economically backward classes, there is tendency to draft girls for other remunerative work from a young age. To reverse this discrimination, NMC, under Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, has decided to introduce the financial incentive so that girls also can aspire to achieve their dreams in their lives. NMC has earmarked Rs 2.10 crore in its budget for the scheme. Girl students studying in Class I to XII would be covered under the scheme. At end of the session, the amount will be credited in bank accounts of the parents.