Uttar Pradesh initiates 'Learning by Doing' program to promote vocational skills in govt schools

The Uttar Pradesh government launched on Thursday a 'Learning by Doing' program to reorient education in government schools throughout the state, according to a statement.

 

"According to the National Education Policy 2020, this programme offers students of classes 6 to 8 hands-on training in various areas like woodwork, metalwork, energy and environment, agriculture and horticulture, and health and nutrition," the statement added.

 

The effort, under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, is a reflection of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision of connecting education with employability and life skills, it further added.

 

Adityanath has always stressed establishing Uttar Pradesh as self-sufficient and empowered, which means incorporating skills into education.

 

"Following this vision, the Basic Education Department has offered four-day multi-skilling training to science and mathematics teachers, allowing them to equip students with the ability to face real-life situations along with academics," the statement added.

 

Besides, with UNICEF technical support and collaboration with Vigyan Ashram, the state has created a teachers' guide consisting of 60 skill-based activities, which has been ratified by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), it said. 

 

The government highlighted that during 2024–25, the programme would be expanded with the opening of modern Learning by Doing (LBD) laboratories in 2,274 upper primary and composite schools spread across all 75 districts of the state.

 

Each of the laboratories has 205 varieties of contemporary tools and apparatus. School Management Committees (SMCs) have also been offered raw materials and consumables to aid these activities, it added.

 

The pilot run of the programme was earlier conducted in 60 schools in 15 districts, imparting training to 5,937 students in different trades. The government added that the programme contributed to an improved attendance and learning interest among students.

 

The government added that it is also making efforts to roll out this innovative program to another 3,288 schools in the 2025–26 academic year through the Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI schemes.

 

"This rollout will benefit lakhs of students in the state through vocational education," it said.

 

The government has also averred that the programme not only empowers students with new skills but also teaches respect for the dignity of labour. The best feature is that girls actively participate in engineering, electrical works, and workshop activities, leading to gender equality in practical education.

 

The initiative not only cultivating skilled and independent citizens but also establishing the foundation for strong, self-dependent Uttar Pradesh, according to the Skill India Mission," said Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh.