The Aam Aadmi Party government is launching an ambitious scheme and bringing private parties on board. As a ‘pilot’, the Directorate of Education (DoE) will execute an intensive Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) programme in 54 ‘model’ schools in the city. Under the programme, the DoE “will allow access to the desirous academies/clubs/individual professionals into the schools” and these private parties will be allowed to instruct kids from other schools as well.
The cicrular from the DoE on the issue states, “they will be provided requisite space in the schools for imparting coaching and training to the students of government and other schools.” The first set of ECA activities will include music, dance (classical and contemporary), theatre, fine arts (including craft), creative writing and photography. Additionally, the circular also states, “efforts will be made to allot marks to the students on the basis of their performance in the class as well as final show adding to their total score.” The syllabus reduction last month was made to increase time allocation towards ECA.
The syllabus reduction last month was made to increase time allocation towards ECA.
As per the information, in every school, the ECA instructor or organization holding the classes will be paid Rs 2,000 for a two-hour class, twice a week. An additional assistant trainer, if required, will be paid Rs 1,500 per week. The government is willing to consider “package” deals as well. “The desirous academies/clubs/individual professionals will have to provide training to minimum 50…students, per activity of that school. The permission will be accorded upto 29th February 2016, initially,” says the circular. Every organization signing up to teach will have to “submit their performance report on quarterly basis” and will have to organize stage presentations and exhibitions for which separate budget, about Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000, will be allotted.
The cost of running the ECA programme has to incurred jointly by the school and the circular goes onto suggests that those interested should visit the schools first “to take stock of the actual position of the school premises.” ECA Coaching will be provided during or after school hours.