Pulwama : Kindergarten classes ( KG) in government schools are turning out to be an attraction for preschoolers.
Education experts believe that these KG classes which were started in many government schools across Jammu and Kashmir some years ago have helped in strengthening foundational numeracy and literacy among preschoolers.
Imtiyaz Ahmad, a government school teacher and a resource person on new education policy ( NEP) 2020 for Shadimarg zone said that KG classes accommodate kids from 3 to 5 years of age.
“The kids are acquainted with basic numbers, letters, names and sounds through games, plays and other innovative methods,” he said, adding that it is basically half day schooling but kids have been so attracted to these classes that they resist to call it a day at 1:00 pm.
He said that they have to repeat the activities in the second half to cater to these kids.
He views introduction of KG classes in government schools as a good initiative because it lays a strong foundation and develops life skills among preschoolers.
“KG classes prepare students for learning in a stress free environment,” he said.
An official from school education department said that prior to 2015 there were no KG classes in government schools as Anganwari centres established under ICDS ( Integrated Child Development Scheme) were supposed to take care of preschooling of kids along with their nutrition.
He said that a need was felt that there should be KG classes in government schools and authorities approved KG classes in around 55 schools on pilot basis in 2018-19.
They received grants under a state plan for procurement of teaching learning materials.
He said that earlier some KG classes were started with grants from Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
He added that after 2019 there were subsequent introductions of these classes in many schools across Jammu and Kashmir. The official further said that in recently held enrolment drive schools with KG classes recorded maximum number of admissions.
The official said that with commencement of NEP2020 there will be three years of compulsory pre-schooling including preschool 1, preschool 2 and preschool 3 or Balvatika.
Sheikh Gulzar, Academic Officer, SCERT( State Council of Educational ,Research and Training) Srinagar told Rising Kashmir that under NEP2020 preschool 1, 2 and 3 will be administered in standalone institutions like Anganwari centres for kids from 3 to 5 years of age.
“ For formal schooling a kid at 6 years of age will be admitted to the first standard in a school,” he said.
