Green Kumbh lessons for civic school teachers

NASHIK: Civic teachers on Saturday pledged to work towards Green Kumbh and groom their students for the initiative during the monthly meeting of all the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) schools organized by the education department at Raosaheb Thorat Hall.
The NMC's education department organises meetings for the teaching staff of its schools every month with a particular theme for discussion.This month, the theme for the meeting was Green Kumbh and the meeting was attended by 981 teachers. At the end of the meeting, the teachers took an oath to work for Green Kumbh.
The teachers also got inspirational accounts of two Zilla Parishad teachers in Pune who have converted their schools into model schools through sheer hard work, innovation and activity-based learning.
Deputy director of education Bhagwan Suryawanshi emphasised upon cleanliness and reduction in vehicular pollutionfor Gren Kumbh.
"All the requisites for maintenance of schools should be followed immediately. Even the Prime Minister had emphasised on cleanliness and drinking water and toilet facilities," Suryawanshi said.
Principal of Govt D Ed (Diploma in Education) College Saroj Jagtap said, "Students are the future citizens and it is our duty to mould them in the right direction. Their security is also our responsibility." She also spoke about her college's plastic-free and paperless missions during the meet.
She asked the activists to email her about any cleanliness or Kumbh-related activity.
Kumbh mela officer Mahesh Patil, while addressing the teachers, spoke about the religious congregation and how they, along with the students, could contribute for Green Kumbh. "We will include the education department in this initiative. Teachers and students are an important part of Green Kumbh," said Patil.
Social activist Rajesh Pandit, who had earlier, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) to curb river pollution, said, "For the past two years we have been fighting against river pollution. It has become a major issue. Besides, the Kumbh mela is we also approaching. We have to work together for Green Kumbh," Pandit said.
Actor Chinmay Udgirkar, who is also part of the Green Kumbh team, said that if everyone contributes in keeping the city clean, Nashik could have a Green Kumbh. "Teachers should take the concept of cleanliness to the students. Cleanliness should begin from home and school."
Administrative officer of the NMC's education department Kiran Kuwar gave an account of what the NMC schools have done until now and also about green activities like making paper bags, shaadu clay Ganesh idols, art exhibitions and taking an oath for a clean Godavari.
Later in the day, rural teachers of the Gujjar society and art teachers were also initiated with the Green Kumbh concept.
Activity-based learning programme from rural Pune inspires teachers
Two Pune-based Zilla Parishad teachers who brought about a revolution in their schools with the limited resources that they had through sheer hard work and innovation, were specially invited for the meeting by the civic body's education department. They inspired the teachers with their accounts of converting small taluka schools into model schools.
Mahendra Khomne of Apti, Bhor taluka and J K Patil from Kenjal, Bhor have brought infrastructure similar to that in English medium schools in just 3-4 acres. In Apti, a solar system has been installed which is the first to be set up in a government school in the state.
"We use activity-based learning programmes in schools rather than just teaching from text books. We have set up 30-40 computers. We did it with the help of the villagers," said the teachers, who refuse to take awards.
The schools have been visited by many government officials and their ideas are likely to be emulated by schools across the state.