‘Navu Manujaru’ has positively impacted students, finds DSERT report

The Navu Manujaru programme, which was launched in schools by the Karnataka government in June, 2024, to foster positive values of social harmony, scientific temper and healthy habits, has had a positive impact on students, according to a report released by Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT).

The Navu Manujaru programme, which was launched in schools by the Karnataka government in June, 2024, to foster positive values of social harmony, scientific temper and healthy habits, has had a positive impact on students, according to a report released by Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT).

As announced in the State Budget in 2024-25, the Navu Manujaru programme was launched in all government, aided and unaided primary and high schools in the State on June 24. This programme involved discussions, dialogues and other activities for two hours per week (with three periods of 40 minutes) and one period of value education.

All schools had uploaded videos and photographs of the programmes undertaken under this on the DSERT e-portal. Recently, DSERT prepared the report after examining all the information uploaded.

“Students have been made aware of the great work done by many philosophers including social reformers likes Budha, Basavanna, Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar and others in schools. Values of knowledge, tolerance, peace, non-violence, brotherhood have been promoted in children through various activities,” report said.

Meaningful celebrations of national festivals, dramas about patriotism, essay writing, and lectures have been organised. Children have been convinced against evil practices such as untouchability through dialogue and discussion, it noted. Lectures on Constitutional values ​​had been arranged. To create environmental awareness, schools have held tree planting and other programmes.

The ‘Rahasya Bayalu’ programme focused on eradicating superstitions. Most schools organised activities to educate children about superstitions and help them understand science through demonstrations, drama, symposiums, noted the report. The report states that the ‘Navu Manujaru’ has been successful in instilling the habit of reading science books/critical works, and also creating awareness about being safe and responsible on social media.

To build harmony among students, schools have encouraged community lunches (sahabhojana), celebrations of festivals of various religions, school garden management, indoor and outdoor games and desi sports and other group activities. Steps have been taken to read the thoughts of exemplary leaders, understand, and explain with examples during daily prayers in schools too, it said.