Program Structure

The PRERANA: An experiential learning program is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India to empower the Youth of country by offering a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to students selected from all districts of country. At the heart of this curriculum is the philosophy of value-based education which is also cornerstone of the NEP 2020. The PRERANA will allow students to experience and internalize these values through latest technology and hands-on activities.


Vision

PRERANA is a starting point of students’ own self-awareness by creating opportunities to explore India’s great culture through their journey of Vadnagar, its stories and mythologies, archaeology, traditional Indian knowledge systems and through this, appreciate their heritage through latest state of art technology. These children can then become ambassadors and share their understanding of Indian culture and heritage with others in their school and community. This will also promote a sense of belonging and pride and help them reflect on how they can contribute to nation building.


Venue

  • The program takes place at a Vernacular School established in 1888 in Vadnagar, district Mehsana, Gujarat by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad of the erstwhile Baroda State, Gujarat. It is the place where our Hon’ble Prime Minister, began his inspiring journey.
  • Vadnagar is one of the oldest living cities in India, known for its ancient heritage sites, monuments and rich history.

Duration and Participants:
  • PRERANA is a week-long residential program.
  • A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) attend the program every week from various parts of the country.

PRERANA Curriculum:

Prerna will be a unique experience due to its innovative and engaging curriculum which not only imparts knowledge but also ignites wisdom and engrains values acknowledging the fact that true education extends beyond textbooks and classrooms.

The curriculum is rooted in nine value-based themes:

  1. Swabhiman and Vinay
  2. Shaurya and Sahas
  3. Parishram and Samarpan
  4. Karuna and Seva
  5. Vividhta and Ekta
  6. Satyanishtha and Shuchita
  7. Navachar and Jigyasa
  8. Shraddha and Vishwas
  9. Swatantrata and Kartavya

Focus Areas:

Indigenous knowledge systems

  1. Games and sports
  2. Health & food related to Ayurveda
  3. Geometry, Science & Art related to architecture,
  4. Natural dyes, printing & weaving related to textiles
  5. Astronomy
  6. Performing and visual arts
  7. Mythology and legends

New technologies and their creative uses

  1. Digital Classrooms
  2. Cameras, drones, 3D printers etc
  3. AR, VR, Video making, Jingles, photo-essays, digital posters/ newsletter/blogs/magazines etc.

Inspirational Indians

Researching and getting inspired by figures and personalities from India like Sardar Patel, Bhagat Singh, B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Dr J.C Bose, APJ Abdul Kalam, Shri AB Vajpayee, Sir CV Raman, Guru Teg Bahadur, Rani Laxmi Bai, Rani Chenamma, Birsa Munda, Lachit Borphukan, Surya Sen, Shri Narendra Modi, Shri K. Kasturirangan, Paramveer Chakra Awardees, and Padma Awardees from all walks of life

Visits:

The participants will also visit archaeological and historical sites that make Vadnagar Unique. They will also learn about the living traditions of other states in India.

  1. In addition to excursions to archaeological and heritage sites, other diverse activities are also planned that exemplifies experiential learning. The students will also understand the growth and glory of the country from ancient Indian civilisation right up to transforming into one of the top 5 economies and landing of Chandrayaan-III on Moon.
  2. They will walk alongside the lives of real-life heroes who have exemplified these virtues, discovering how their choices transformed the country and the world. By the time they complete the 1 week PRERANA program, they will not just hold a certificate; they'll have the opportunity to make a positive impact wherever they go.
  3. AR, VR, Video making, Jingles, photo-essays, digital posters/ newsletter/blogs/magazines etc.

Day Wise Schedule and Activities

Each day will begin with Yoga for mindfulness and meditation followed by breakfast with focus on Mission LIFE activities.

Each session will provide an experiential learning session with a connected and/or different value theme(s). Visit to archaeological and historical sites are followed by Evening activities such as music sessions, film screenings and discussions, talent show of students etc. At the end of the program students will be inspired to take their learning forward through exhibition of their creative and creating/designing solution for any commonplace problem of society.

DAILY ROUTINE

S.NO.

TIMINGS

ACTIVITIES

1

06:30 AM to 07:15 AM

Yoga and Pranayam

2

07:15 AM to 08:00 AM

Own time

3

08:00 AM to 08:45 AM

Breakfast

4

09:00 AM to 09:30 AM

Prarthana

5

09:30 AM to 11:15 AM

First Session on Values

6

11:15 AM to 11:30 AM

Break

7

11:30 AM to 12:45 PM

Second Session on values

8

12:45 PM to 01:30 PM

Hands’on Activity

9

01:30 PM to 02:00 PM

Lunch

10

02:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Break

11

03:00 PM to 05:30 PM

Site Visit

12

05:30 PM to 06:00 PM

Tea Break

13

06:00 PM to 07:30 PM

Indigenous games

14

07:30 PM to 08:30 PM

Dinner

15

08:30 PM to 09:30 PM

Film show and other activities

As participants from various corners of the country converge here, the cultural exchange becomes an invaluable aspect of the experience helping the participants gain insights into the local heritage and the diverse traditions that shape our nation.

Daily Pillars:

10 Daily Pillars through which students can solidify their learnings for each day.

  1. Value Discourse- Detailed textbook content
  2. Inspiring Stories- Examples and other relevant real life stories
  3. Personal Reflections- Examples in students’ lives
  4. Hands’ on Activity
  5. Presentation- Compiling the day’s learning
  6. Vadnagar Stories/ Local stories
  7. Videos- Watching inspiring and relevant short videos & films
  8. Logbook- Answering questions and writing reflections
  9. Thought Provoking Questions- Go deep into the topic introduced on the given day
  10. Post Program- Learnings carried for home.

Theme-based classrooms

The 9 themes of PRERANA are Reflected in 8 classrooms in Heritage Building of Vernacular School developed with state of the art digital infrastructure to inspire the students from life and ideals of great personalities linked with particular value.

Approach and Methodology

The methodology embraces a holistic approach to education, centred around joyful experiential learning. With a keen focus on well-defined learning objectives, the framework integrates and includes various activities like:

  1. Watching films
  2. Immersing in storytelling
  3. Participating, and learning about regional games
  4. Crafting working radio models
  5. Exposure to computer design skills
  6. Making portraits
  7. Observing water samples
  8. Delving into cutting-edge technological advancements like 3D printing, drones
  9. Engaging field trips

Exposure to activities in this programme will instil in the youngsters a sense of citizenship and pride in their nation, as well as a spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship. This will foster respect for India's immense unity and diversity, as well as the ethos of "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam."


Precourse Preparation of participants

Possible preparations for PRERANA
To fully immerse oneself in the PRERANA program, the selected students are suggested to take note of the following points:

Come prepared with:

  1. Folk Stories / Songs/ Prayer/ Folk dance in native language.
  2. Information about inspirational personalities of the district/state.
  3. Some interesting proverbs/phrases of the native language.
  4. Some Indigenous game of the state/ region.

Bring the following:

  1. Sample of local art/craft
  2. A local recipe/ food item
  3. Traditional costumes of the state/region
  4. Soft copies of photographs of various sites of the state/district.

Mentors

  1. Students will be guided in their week-long journey by 8 mentors selected from a pool of experts from NVS, KVS and other eminent institutions.
  2. A 3-day residential program was held at IIT, Gandhinagar for capacity building of mentors in which they were trained to impart teaching in a motivational and experiential manner.
  3. The trainers of the residential program included experts from IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Gandhinagar, Indian Knowledge System, Archaeological Survey of India, etc.

Selection of Guardian Teachers

  1. One female teacher as Guardian Teachers from each district is nominated by school from which the girl student is selected
  2. Selected teachers should be able to train other teachers after attending the program
  3. She should be fit and healthy with experience of atleast 4-5 years
  4. She should not be a parent of any participating student
  5. Guardian Teacher will prepare lesson plans reflecting the integration of values in their subjects for any chapter/topic and give presentations on values of their choice during the program.
  6. On return, SCERTs/ DIETs of the respective state/ districts may utilise the services of Guardian Teachers as resources persons for wider outreach of the Value-based Experiential Learning imparted at PRERANA.