Nishant Saxena
In an effort to address the increasing addiction of primary school children to mobile phones, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has unveiled a plan to encourage the use of traditional Indian games in government schools. Hide and seek, blindfold, and one-legged tag are among the games that will be promoted under this initiative.
Officials from the state’s basic education department have estimated that around 2 crore children studying in over 1.50 lakh government primary and upper primary schools will benefit from this program. The initiative aligns with the principles outlined in the new National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, which aims to maintain children’s connection to their cultural traditions while embracing modernity. The State Institute of Education (SIE) in Prayagraj, at the request of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) of UP, will oversee the implementation of this initiative to preserve indigenous and traditional games and promote a more physically active lifestyle among school children.
To facilitate the integration of traditional games into the school curriculum, the plan involves creating an illustrated big book, which will serve as a comprehensive resource for teachers and students. These games will be played by the children on designated “Bagless Days,” a concept introduced under NEP-2020.
Naval Kishore, the Principal of the State Institute of Education, Prayagraj, stated that permission had been sought from the SCERT Uttar Pradesh to develop a big book specifically designed for whole-class engagement. This resource will be utilized by teachers during the “Bagless Days” in schools. Kishore emphasized that the initiative aims to reduce the growing dependence on mobile phones among schoolchildren.
Deepti Mishra, the Assistant Deputy Education Director of the institute and coordinator of the State Institute of Education’s Samagra Shiksha wing, expressed concern about the fading popularity of traditional games among children. She attributed this trend to the allure of video games, mobile phone applications, social media platforms, and online entertainment. Mishra highlighted the need for children to engage in outdoor activities, emphasizing the positive impact of traditional games on their mental and physical development.
By promoting traditional Indian games and reducing children’s reliance on mobile phones, the Uttar Pradesh government seeks to foster a healthier and more well-rounded educational experience for its young learners. The incorporation of these games into the curriculum not only preserves cultural traditions but also promotes physical activity and the overall growth of students.
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Posted in News, States
