Sambalpur: The district administration launched an innovative programme ‘Teacher for Sambalpur’ that encourages volunteers to teach students in government schools.
Sources said at least 520 volunteers, mostly students from Indian Institute of Management, Sambalpur University, Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Gangadhar Meher University and many other colleges in the district have enrolled themselves in the programme.
The programme, which is part of ‘Mo School Abhiyan’ scheme, was the brain child of Sambalpur District Collector Samarth Verma.
The enrolled volunteers can go to schools of their choice and take classes or conduct extra-curricular activities. They can do all this either after school hours, on weekends or during holidays according to their convenience.
Apart from teaching they can also conduct various activities such as debates, competitions, games and sports to improve the standard of knowledge of students. “We are getting encouraging response from the university and college students who are coming forward on their own for this cause,” Verma said, adding that the volunteers would be issued “Appreciation certificates.”
Describing his own experience of teaching, the Collector said, “From my own experience I can say teaching students is very interesting. Knowledge should be shared for the benefit of all, he said.
District education officer PK Panda said the state government was planning to involve former students, citizens and various sections of society for the development of schools. They can help in whichever way they can, be it financial assistance, equipment or education services, he added.
Similarly, many districts have adopted the unique method. Collectors visit schools and interact with students. A day back, Keonjhar Collector was spotted sharing mid-day meals with schoolchildren. Earlier, there were reports that the Gajapati Collector was teaching students of a school in the district.
PNN
