CBSE moots 'Adopt a monument' plan for heritage conservation

ALLAHABAD: Expressing concern over the risk of country's cultural heritage being destroyed in the name of modernization, Central Board of Secondary Education had directed its schools to start an ?Adopt a monument' project to raise awareness about preservation of heritage monuments among students.
The project started as part of Heritage Education Programmes (CHEP) conducted in the institutions calls for conducting activities throughout the year to ensure that students are apprised about the historical, archaeological and architectural importance of over 100 years old monument, sculpture, caves or building.As per the project, school should first select a monument in the vicinity which they want to adopt.
After it, the students in a group can start working on in class activities, including collection of literature related to its history, architecture, conservation, stories, myths and legends associated with the monument from sources like museums among others.
The letter by Board issued by Sadhana Parashar, director (academics, research, training and innovation) states, 'Under the guidance of an expert, the students can take up the work like removal of vegetation, encroaching, cleaning and dusting in and around the monument' to help in preservation of the monument. A list of activities including seeking the help of local authorities and media in the protection and preservation of the monument, staging of plays or skit for public relating to the conservation and preservation of monuments have been underlined, through which students could be made aware of the importance of monuments. Activities like painting competition, quiz, clay modelling, debates and extempore, creative writing, poster making, photographic exhibition and competition, post card and brochure making competitions and storytelling competition relating to the monument and its environs and plantation of saplings can also be started.
The letter also suggested that students can conduct guided tours for tourists and public under the supervision of teacher.
CBSE had clarified that ?adopt' word should not mean that the monument belongs to the ?class' but it should be limited to study of the monument only with the help of professionals involved in its care.