In order to apprise the children about language, social and cultural activities of other States, following the directives of the Central Government, Chhattisgarh will also conduct series of General Knowledge classes for the students of class 1 to 12.
It’s a unique initiative of the Central Government to promote national integrity, said the officials of the School Education Department.
The officials stated that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, while reviewing the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan on June 22 last year stressed for the need of apprising the students with the languages of other states as stated in the Indian Constitution.
The Prime Minister was of the view that apprising the students about the language and culture of different states will strengthen the feeling of unity in diversity among the students.
Besides, the schools should also organise educational tour for the students, teachers and officials of the education department to other State, he had pointed out.
The officials further stated that for implementation of the program the Union HRD Ministery (School Education and literacy Mission), New Delhi, through video-conferencing has sought detail information from the Education Departments of the State.
Under the first phase, Chhattisgarh has opted Odiya language as Odisha is the neighbouring state.
Besides, the population of Odiya community is much more in Chhattisgarh compared to other states in the country, said the officials.
Moreover, it would also be easy and convenient for the students to travel to neighbouring state and apprise themselves about the language and culture of that State.
The officials informed that under the program the students would be taught about how to greet the people, counting of numbers from 1 to 20, common dialect, important and commonly used words etc.
No special books, syllabus or tests would be conducted under the program as it is aimed at making the students know about the life style and socio-cultural activities of the people of that particular State, said the officials.