Lok Sabha Question No. 1314 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-02
Subject: Model Laboratories in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1314 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016

## Model Laboratories in Schools

## 1314. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a)  the  number  of  model  labs  created  across  the  country  under  the  Rashtriya  Avishkar Abhiyan which was launched on 9 July, 2015 to create interest among school going students in sciences;

(b)  the  details  of  funds  allocated,  sanctioned  and  utilised  for  this  programme  since  its inception under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan; and

(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make teaching of Science and Mathematics interesting under the said programme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) The  Central  Government  has  launched  the  Rashtriya  Avishkar  Abhiyan  (RAA),  a convergent framework across SSA, RMSA and Higher Education in 2015-16 with the aim to encourage  children  towards  learning  Science  and  Mathematics  and  to  develop  a  sense  of curiosity  and  interest  in  inside  and  outside  classroom  activities  related  to  Science  and Mathematics. One of the interventions under RAA is to strengthen Science and Mathematics laboratories  in  schools.  RAA  framework  provides  for  strengthening  of  School  Science laboratories based on set standards. The Higher Education institutions are to act as mentoring institutions  to  the  schools  to  help  &  guide  State  Governments/UTs  and  schools  to  build appropriate and modern science laboratories.

(b) The funding for activities under RAA comes from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya  Madhyamik  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RMSA)  for  various  components  like  in-service teacher  training  of  mathematics  and  science  teachers  at  upper  primary  level,  Learning Enhancement Programme, Computer Aided Learning and Innovations. During the year 201516  under  SSA,  the  Central  Government  had  approved  an  outlay  of  Rs.  286.52  crore  to States/UTs (Rs. 136.52 crore for teacher training, learning enhancement programme (LEP) innovation and Rs. 150 crore for Computer Aided Learning (CAL). Similarly, under RMSA

an amount of Rs. 111.57 crore was approved in 2015-16 for training of science and maths teachers, remedial teaching, purchase of science and maths kits, science exhibitions, etc.

(c) RAA  proposes  various  interventions  including  teacher  preparation  for  Science, mathematics  and  technology,  recruitment  of  science  and  mathematics  teachers,  pre-service and in-service teachers training for science and mathematics teachers, assessment design for science  and  mathematics  for  students,    provision  of  teaching-learning  equipments  and supplementary books/materials to enhance science and mathematics transaction in classrooms, maths and science kits, use of technology in science and mathematics teaching, development of resource materials, strengthening of teacher support institutions and the use of  technology,  effective  classroom  transaction,  etc.  to  make  teaching  of  science  and mathematics interesting for the students.

A  two  days  workshop  was  organized  on  16-17  November,  2015  for  orientation  of Nodal Officers of States/UTs SSA/RMSA and institutions of higher education. A joint road map  for  the  implementation  of  activities  for  the  coming  months  was  developed  in  the workshop.

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