This policy recommends that Classes 6 to 8 have 10 bag-free days each year, during which they get the opportunity to explore vocational subjects and indulge in creative activities that foster experiential learning.

In this week's newsletter, we shed light on the transformative potential of NEP’s bagless policy, demonstrate how it can redefine traditional learning paradigms and develop a holistic teaching-learning environment in schools.

Here are the objectives that NEP has outlined with respect to the bagless days initiative:

• Build observation-based learning capacity
• Develop an understanding of the relation between interdependence and community
• Provide exposure to the outside world and the transactions that impact day-to-day life
• Promote the dignity of labor by incorporating hands-on activities to better understand vocational professions
• Encourage interactions with local artisans to further popularize the concept of vocal-for-local
• Ensure exposure to higher education avenues in creative fields

Now that you have a better understanding of the objectives, we have categorized a list of subject-wise indoor and outdoor activities to help you initiate bagless days at your school.

• History: Arrange field visits to local historical sites such as museums or monuments, invite experts from the industry to share their knowledge and insights, assign research projects on key historical events, etc.
• Math: Create challenging math puzzles & brain teasers for students to solve, incorporate fun math games in the classroom, assign projects that involve real-world application of math like planning a budget, analyzing data from an event, etc., conduct math olympics that involve friendly competitions in mental math, speedy calculations and math relays, etc.
• English: Create an indoor escape room with English literature-themed puzzles with clues, organize nature walks and encourage students to work on a creative write-up/poetry inspired by the views, conduct debate and discussion sessions, hold essay-writing competitions, etc.
• Science: Conduct seed germination experiments, lab experiments, model-making projects, plan an educational trip to the planetarium, facilitate science-based workshops, visit a local geological site, among other things.

Implementing bagless days at school encourages educators to come up with innovative teaching methods that paves the path to an enjoyable and less regimented learning experience making it a win-win for both students and teachers alike!

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