Question : Promotion of Research and Innovation in Schools

(a) the details of the Government’s plans to promote research and innovation in
schools to inculcate curiosity and technical mentality among the students in the
country including Rajasthan, Tripura and Maharashtra;
(b) the number of students covered so far under this scheme, State-wise;
(c) the funds allocated for this purpose during 2020-21 along with the total amount
spent so far under the said scheme during the last three years;
(d) whether Mini Science labs or mobile Science labs could be set up by MP and MLA
funds under the Atal Innovation Mission in all the secondary schools, senior secondary
schools and colleges in the country including Rajasthan, Tripura and Maharashtra;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) if not, the details of the Government’s plan to set up Science labs in all the schools?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)

(a) to (c): The Integrated Scheme of Samagra Shiksha was launched in 2018-19,
which subsumes the erstwhile Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha
Abhiyan and Teacher Education. The Integrated Scheme of Samagra Shiksha
considers education as a continuum from pre-school to higher secondary level and
supports all the States and Union Territories to provide quality and equitable education
including Rajasthan, Tripura and Maharashtra. The Scheme provides inter-alia for
innovative activities for Early Literacy Reading Skills and Reading habits, Energized
Text Books, Herbal Garden, Youth & Eco Club, Science Exhibition, establishment of
Science Parks, Blended Learning, Digital Classrooms, Rashtriya Avishkar
Abhiyan(RAA) etc.
To focus on connecting school-based knowledge to life outside the school,
making learning of Science and Mathematics a joyful and meaningful activity and to
promote innovation and use of technology, Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA) was
initiated as a convergent framework to nurture a spirit of inquiry, creativity, love for
Science and Mathematics and effective use of technology amongst children at Upper
Primary and Secondary level.
The expenditure incurred on different Innovative Activities in schools by the
States and UTs under Samagra Shiksha in 2018-19 and 2019-20(upto January) is
attached as Annexure.
(d) to (f): Under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), Atal Tinkering Labs are established in
schools across the country for students between grade 6th to 12th which are equipped
with latest emerging technologies such as electronics, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D
printing, Robotics, etc. Till date, 14916 schools have been selected for establishment
of ATLs and 4670 schools have received the ATL grant-in-aid. For works under the
MPLAD and MLALAD scheme respective departments have issued guidelines.
Under Samagra Shiksha, there is also a provision of setting up 1 integrated
Science Laboratory for Secondary School and 4 science laboratories for Physics,
Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics for Higher Secondary Schools.
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