Punjab children learning through radio

Ludhiana, Aug.27 : Thousands of primary schools are being provided education through Radio in Punjab, as part of the Sarva Sikhsa Abhiyan (education for all) by the Punjab government.

To make the initiative successful, radio sets have been provided to 13,000 primary schools in the State.

The objective is to make education accessible to those children who cannot attend a regular school.

Launched on August 7, "Learning Through Radio" programme of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is meant for students of the government primary school. It includes general knowledge, languages, and regular curriculum.

Government schoolteachers today impart lessons to the primary schoolchildren through All India Radio as an attempt to improve the quality of education provided at the State-run schools.

At 12-noon everyday, students at primary schools in Punjab have a guest-a Radio set Students tune in to the half-an-hour programme relayed from the Jalandhar station of the All India Radio.

"We have benefited a lot from radio since it enhances our general knowledge. We should listen to the radio as the programmes help us immensely, just as our parents and teachers do," said one. "Radio is very beneficial for us. It answers our questions very well," said another.

Schoolteachers from different districts are selected to undergo a training programme under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan. They are taught how to introduce subjects, content and conclusion.

Parveen, one teacher, said: "After listening to the radio for half-an-hour, students have improved significantly. Watching TV they can observe and listen, but for the radio they ave to concentrate on the subject only by listening. Through radio, we are imparting general knowledge to the students. They have been told about their regular syllabus. A revision of the same lesson, first in classroom and then on radio, will enable students to be more proficient."

Under free and compulsory education, all children in the age group of 6-14 are provided free Primary Education.

In order to achieve the goal of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (universalisation of primary education), efforts are being made to increase retention of children in schools, increase heir enrollment and innovative approach in the schools.

"Learning through Radio," will add another positive dimension to improve the standard of primary education in Punjab. By Karan Kapoor

ANI