Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the project 'Prerna: The Vernacular School' to inspire the youth of the country to become 'catalysts of change'. Modi received his initial education in this heritage school in Gujarat's Vadnagar which has been restored and is being redeveloped for the project by the Archaeological Survey of India.
It is said that the children who participate in this project will receive an immersive experience of the old architectural style school and education.
According to the reports, based on the vision of the prime minister, this "first-of-its-kind" school redevelopment project 'Prerna: The Vernacular School' is being undertaken to inspire the youth of the county to become catalysts of change.
The architectural revival and redevelopment of the old school are part of a holistic and mega redevelopment plan for the historic city of Vadnagar that traces an uninterrupted continuum of human habitation for more than 2500 years, reportedly.
What does the programme look like?
According to reports, it is said, "The programme is expected to be rolled out later this year. Two students from each district of the country will take part in the programme which will be conducted in a series of batches. Each batch will have 30 students, covering 15 districts, and in 50 weeks, all 750 districts will be covered spanning 1,500 students in total.".
It is also found that this "experiential school" will offer an "unique pedagogy" and use both unconventional and tech-based means to impart values and inspire children to become catalysts of change in future.
"It is envisioned to be a school of the future, and to give an impetus to education and values. It will be a residential programme and the central government will bear all the necessary expenses on each child who will be part of 'Prerna'," reportedly.
The primary objective of this initiative is to inspire Indians across all the districts, starting from Vadnagar, and see, if can be replicated, perhaps in other parts of the country, reportedly.
The aim of this project is to empower individual thought and self-identity, build a feeling of pride and duty towards the country, instil a sense of initiative,
invoke a feeling of unity and respect for the diversity of land, people and ideologies, and promote the spirit of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.
Reports suggest, "Children will take part in sessions on valour and and compassion, among other topics. They will learn about valour through the stories of 21 Param Vir Chakra winners, about compassion from the life and legacy of Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira, Emperor Ashoka, Mahatma Gandhi, among others. Speeches of prominent leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru will be told to the children through holograms."
Regarding the late 19th-century building of the school, the reports said work on its restoration began in 2018.
"The old building has been restored using vernacular elements of architecture and it by imagining the way the structure may have looked originally," the reports said.
The criteria of selection and other modalities are currently being worked out, the source said, adding, children from all kinds of schools will be eligible to be part of the initiative.
About 100 km from Ahmedabad, Vadnagar in Mehsana district of Gujarat, is a historic town with population of approximately 28,000.
(With PTI inputs)
