SPPU’s exhibition on foundational literacy and numeracy a major hit in Pune

Government bodies, educational institutes, start-ups, NGOs, states and union territories are among those who have put up stalls at the exhibition.

The exhibition on 'Foundational Literacy and Numeracy' at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has become a major attraction in the city. (Express photo)

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*Devanshi Srivastava

“My favourite was the Sesame Workshop stall and I met Chamki there!” said Sarvanya Badal, referring to the puppet character from the popular kid’s television show ‘Galli Galli Sim Sim’.

The eighth-standard student was at a stall which focused on multimedia play-based education of children. “We try to engage children instead of dumping information on them,” said Sanjay Ghatak, Senior Associate Director at the NGO, Sesame Workshop India, which had set up the stall.

Thronging with school students, teachers, entrepreneurs, government officials, G20 delegates and people of all ages, the exhibition on ‘Foundational Literacy and Numeracy’ at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has become a major attraction in the city. The exhibition was inaugurated on June 17 as a run-up to the 4th G20 Education Working Group meeting which commenced in the city on Monday.

Government bodies, educational institutes, start-ups, NGOs, states and union territories are among those who have put up stalls at the exhibition. The main focus of the stalls is digital technology, learning modules, unique methods of teaching and other such measures which aim to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy of all. These technologies and methods have been designed to promote the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020.

The main focus of the stalls is digital technology, learning modules, unique methods of teaching and other such measures which aim to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy of all. (Express photo)

Bodies like National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), SAMARTH, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development, a UNESCO Research Institute, shared information about their work and initiatives to promote child-friendly learning practices, social and emotional learning.

Innovative technology like conversational Artificial Intelligence and Paperless examinations were displayed by private enterprises like Convegenius and Little More Innovation Labs, respectively. Changeink Foundation created an interactive Virtual Reality experience for people to see for themselves what it means to see the world as a dyslexic person.

“I found the new educational technology displayed here most relevant,” said Sarang Gajare, a student of biotechnology. “I am myself from a rural area and I believe it is very important to introduce these new technologies in rural areas for their development,” said the student who belongs to the Gajarwadi village of Nashik district.

All states and union territories put up stalls showcasing ways in which they are furthering the Nipun Bharat initiative, engaging students in Janbhagidari events and initiatives to promote children’s education. The stall of Mizoram exhibiting books, traditional Mizo tools and dresses was quite popular among the children. So was the Puducherry stall displaying play figures made of waste materials like rubber tyres, slippers, coconut shells, bamboo etc.