In a bid to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the state education department has directed all schools under the State Board, including primary, secondary schools, and junior colleges, to establish ‘Student Clubs’ or ‘Vidyarthi Samuha’ by September 15.
Schools have been instructed to form as many clubs as possible across categories such as academic and intellectual, artistic and cultural, sports, social, charitable, and skill-based, involving students from Std I to XII. It has been mandated that every student must be enrolled in at least one club. Institutions are also required to appoint members and mentors for each club.
The guidelines outline more than 30 options, including language clubs in Marathi, English, Hindi, and Urdu, as well as student groups focusing on economics, mathematics, vocational learning, emergency management, environment, sanitation, and more.
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has provided a booklet with suggested curricula for these clubs, while also granting schools the flexibility to introduce new ones based on student interests.
Schools have been asked to define objectives for each club, conduct surveys to assess student preferences, appoint mentoring teachers, designate student leaders, and encourage parental participation. Regular reviews are to be conducted, with participating students being awarded certificates as incentives.
“Several schools have already been running similar clubs under the title of ‘co-curricular activities’, which makes their establishment a practical goal. These clubs help extend student learning beyond academics. Schools usually conduct such activities on Saturdays or No-Bag Days,” said Mahendra Ganpule, former head of the Maharashtra School Principals’ Association.
Sept 15
Day by when, schools should establish the student clubs
