Pune: PCMC Launches ‘Saksham’ Initiative To Empower Students In Municipality Schools

Pimpri, 4th October 2024: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Education Department has launched the ‘Saksham’ educational initiative to enhance foundational literacy and numeracy skills among students in municipal schools. As part of the National Education Policy 2020 and NIPUN Bharat Mission (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy), the initiative aims to raise the academic level of students by focusing on their core literacy and numeracy skills.

“PCMC is committed to the successful implementation of the ‘Saksham’ initiative, focusing on improving students’ academic levels through enhanced literacy and numeracy skills under the National Education Policy 2020 and NIPUN Bharat Mission”, said Shekhar Singh, Commissioner and Administrator, PCMC.

Students are grouped according to their educational levels, and teachers provide targeted guidance to each group. “Currently, over 30,000 students from grades 3 to 8 are benefitting from the ‘Saksham’ initiative. The distribution of ‘Saksham Banu Ya’ booklets has supported students’ learning, and they have responded positively to the first phase of the program”, said Vijay Thorat, Assistant Commissioner, Education Department, PCMC.

The ‘Saksham’ initiative is being implemented in PCMC’s Marathi and Urdu medium schools for students from grades 3 to 8. The academic levels of students were determined based on assessment data provided by the Quality Council of India, enabling their division into appropriate learning groups. The main objective of the initiative is to enhance students’ basic literacy and numeracy skills and address any learning challenges. Through this initiative, students are being effectively prepared for progression to the next grade level.

‘Saksham’ to be implemented in two phases

To improve foundational literacy, the ‘Saksham’ initiative will be executed in two phases, each lasting 45 days. The first phase is currently underway, focusing on the first two hours of school with 60 minutes dedicated to language skills and another 60 minutes to mathematics. In the second phase, which will follow, 45 minutes will be devoted to each subject daily. All primary schools in the PCMC area have now begun ‘Saksham’ classes.

“The first phase of the ‘Saksham’ initiative has commenced, and it will significantly help in improving students’ foundational literacy. The initiative is crucial for enabling students to progress academically”, informed Pradip Jambhale Patil, Additional Commissioner, PCMC.

‘Saksham Banu Ya’ booklets distributed to students

PCMC has distributed ‘Saksham Banu Ya’ booklets to all civic schools. These resources include six booklets—three for language and three for mathematics, based on different academic levels. The booklets were created in collaboration with the Maharashtra Primary Education Council, UNICEF, Vidya Parishad, and Quest (Quality Education Support Trust). Alongside these materials, teachers have received training, classroom observation, and guidance from mentor teachers to ensure effective implementation of the program.

“The ‘Saksham Banu Ya’ booklets, tailored for different learning levels, are helping clarify students’ fundamental concepts. Both teachers and students have embraced the initiative, and students are actively participating”, said Manisha Hemant Sadvarte, Mentor Teacher, PCMC Public School, Jadhavwadi (Boys).

Meena Arun Gaikwad, Teacher, PCMC Public School, Dighi (Boys), said, “The ‘Saksham’ initiative has been highly beneficial. It has made teaching lagging students easier, and we are already seeing positive results. Students have developed an interest in studies and are eager to participate in the program.”