Suggest innovative ideas to teach kids

Opening its doors to innovation, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) has called for out-of-the-box proposals that can be implemented in classrooms.

The innovation guidelines published have asked government, semi-government and NGOs working in the field of education to suggest unique ideas. The state government is responsible for collecting and sending them to the Project Approval Board (PAB). The ideas should be tested before implementation.

Speaking at a seminar on 'Inclusive education and bridging the widening societal disparities', Toby Linden, lead education specialist, World Bank, New Delhi, said: "At present, innovation is possible only within norms defining each expenditure category. There should also be the option for states to be creative without the constraint of norms and for non-state agencies to be involved in designing new ideas".

"How will schools that need approvals from management committees even purchase desk and chairs or identify diversified needs of children and impart education? Most of the money that goes to schools reach late and is sometimes used in the next financial year. There is a rush to spend the funds then. Governance at district levels and below needs to be improved," said Ambrish Dongre, senior researcher, PAISA (Planning, Allocations and Expenditures, Institutions: Studies in Accountability).

Speaking on education in tribal areas, H Sudarshan, honorary secretary of Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra, said: "Don't force mainstream education on these distinct groups. It's their right to get education in their own dialect."