‘Road to School’ project to benefit over 34,000 students in Uttar Pradesh

Gorakhpur : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s efforts to enhance the quality of education in Uttar Pradesh are gaining recognition from the corporate sector, with major industrial groups actively participating in these initiatives. On Tuesday, the Chief Minister launched the “Road to School” project, a collaborative effort between the state’s Basic Education Department, Ashok Leyland Limited of the Hinduja Group, and its implementation partner, Learning Link Foundation.

This initiative aims to foster a culture of learning among students in primary, upper primary, and composite schools (classes 1 to 8) by providing the necessary infrastructure for their overall development. The program not only focuses on enhancing academic performance but also emphasizes improving school attendance and reducing dropout rates. By adopting a sustainable and scalable model, “Road to School” seeks to address both educational and co-educational needs, ensuring a holistic approach to student development.

Understanding the ‘Road to School’ project

The Road to School Project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing the overall educational experience for students in council schools. The project focuses on increasing student enrollment, preventing dropouts, fostering a greater interest in studies, promoting health care, and advancing students in sports and skill development. A key feature of this innovative program is its emphasis on teaching through practical examples, with the ultimate goal of achieving 100 percent enrollment, regular attendance, and successful transitions to higher classes.

The Road to School Project is designed to improve foundational education, health, sports, and arts education among children, aligning with the objectives of the Nipun Bharat Mission. The project seeks to ignite students’ interest in subjects like science and mathematics, encouraging deeper engagement and understanding. To support the overall well-being of students, the project will also run courses focused on physical, emotional, social, and environmental welfare.

Project to be implementation in two phases

The project is being rolled out in two phases. In the first phase, the program is being implemented in the Chargawan block, covering all 78 schools and benefiting 17,781 students. The second phase, set to begin on June 2, 2025, will expand the program to include the remaining 90 schools in the Bhathat block, reaching an additional 16,434 students. Overall, the ‘Road to School’ Project will benefit a total of 34,215 students.

To ensure effective implementation, one resource person (RP) will be assigned to every two schools, with 50 RPs deployed in each of the two blocks. Additionally, five Senior Resource Persons (SRPs) will be assigned to each block to monitor and guide the RPs, with each SRP overseeing 15 schools.

Five project associates will also be deployed to manage health and wellness activities within the schools. Under this program, each school will be equipped with teaching aids, math kits, and sports kits to support the holistic development of students.

Emphasis on sports and art education alongside academics

The project aims to enhance the overall educational experience for students in classes one to eight, with a focus not only on academics but also on sports and art education. The curriculum, aligned with the Nipun Bharat Mission, emphasizes improving foundational education while incorporating a holistic approach to student development. This includes a curriculum that addresses physical, emotional, social, and environmental well-being.

In addition to academic growth, the program ensures the implementation of the Khelo India initiative, promoting sports education and encouraging students to develop essential life skills. Art education is also integrated into the curriculum to foster creativity and cultural appreciation.

The program is designed to achieve key outcomes, including improving basic literacy and numeracy among students, maintaining 100 percent enrollment, and ensuring smooth transitions from primary to secondary, and secondary to higher secondary levels.

Additionally, the program focuses on making students fully aware of health and hygiene practices, building the capacity of teachers, and encouraging educators to adopt the program’s approach in their classrooms for sustained impact.