CBSE to organize Ganit Week in Schools

The CBSE has recently announced a week long activity to make maths more interesting for students and to reduce the fear of learning the subject. The Ganit Week is to be organized within the school, marking the commemoration of Mathematician S Ramanujam's birth anniversary. Navi Mumbai schools are finding it difficult to accumulate this as many are celebrating their annual day functions, but these schools have already initiated various programmes throughout the year which focus on developing the interest of students in mathematics.

Kalpana Dwivedi, principal at St Joseph School, Panvel, said, "We have a Maths club in school, where a teacher interacts with 12 students each and they teach through play way methods. We focus on children developing an interest in Maths through creative ideas to solve different sums or problems. We also encourage them to solve the sums in different ways. This club is for students from standard I to X, hence, this type of interest is developed amongst children from a young age, making them accustomed to the subject."

As per the recent circular issued by the CBSE regarding the celebrations for the Ganit week, a lecture by the eminent scientist must be conducted on maths, followed by essay writing competitions, different innovations by teachers and students, quiz, screening of films produced by Vigyan Prasar and origami, poster competition followed by a concluding ceremony. The celebration is to be conducted from December 16 to December 22. Most of the schools are finding it difficult to accommodate it as their annual day celebrations are simultaneous with these events.

Meanwhile, Delhi Public School, Nerul has already conducted similar events for the last five years. Students from various schools run by the DPS gathered at Nerul for their Mathematical Enrichment camp that was conducted in October. The 5 day event had eminent personalities conducting lectures on various topics. This year, they had V Seshan, retired principal of Atomic Energy School, Anushakti Nagar.

"Maths is a subject that many fear and prefer staying away from it. Hence, such initiatives by the school or board are helpful for students. They can learn different ways to deal with the subject and develop a liking for the subject through these activities. The logical and analytical thinking in Maths along with its learning and teaching enables better understanding of sciences," said a mathematics professor from Vashi.