New Delhi: The National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) has taken the task to renew the schools established by eminent educational thinkers across the country during the freedom struggle. The Council will re-establish these schools so that the ideologies behind the institutions will not get abolished from the country.
Minister of State in the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry D. Purandeswari, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, said that during the freedom struggle, eminent educational thinkers in different parts of the country had started a number of innovative schools. However, many such schools are languishing due to unsustainability of innovative ideas and ethos marked by a persistent pressure to conform and lack of financial resources.
These schools will be selected from among those founded during the Indian freedom movement inspired by nationalist educational philosophy, representing a heritage of innovating pedagogy, having innovating learning material using local knowledge, inculcating dignity of labor. The criterion also includes the schools to be attempting all-round development of personalities, engaging actively with local community and instilling values of democratic participation.
Furthermore, the minister also mentioned that these selected heritage schools were provided academic and financial support and the impact was monitored periodically. According to the HRD ministry, five heritage schools were supported with financial assistance of Rs.2 lakh each during 2007-08.
