Centre mulls setting up ‘model science labs’ across country

To inculcate scientific temperament among students, Prime Minister Narendra <g data-gr-id="28">Modi-led</g> NDA government proposed to set up ‘model science labs’ across the country, beginning with the North East region. The labs aim to ignite passion and nurture spirit of enquiry and creativity for mathematics and science in students between 6-18 years of age.

Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani said that the initiative would be launched through the Department of Science and Technology. “Let us begin with North East by setting up one model lab for school children. Once we set up the model science labs in every district of the North East, in conjunction with DST, we can go beyond and establish across the country,” Irani said while addressing a gathering of students through video- <g data-gr-id="24">confrencing</g> during the launch the Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan programme here on Thursday.

The programme will be conducted through <g data-gr-id="18">intervention</g> of existing programmes such as Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan programme and through schemes of higher education. Former President APJ Abdul Kalam launched the programme in the presence of Minister of State of HRD Ram Shankar <g data-gr-id="23">Katharia</g>, Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region and Department of Space Jitendra Singh and Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan.

Lauding the initiatives of IT giants such as Google and Intel in the mission, Irani said that phase II of the programme will be launched in January next year targeting the higher education sector.