Govt bid to facilitate improved Sanskrit education

Imparting Sanskrit lessons through animated tales of the Panchtantra is a step the state government wishes to take towards promotion of Sanskrit in the state.

Five Sanskrit schools in the city might soon get virtual classrooms for students where they would learn ‘vyakaran’ (grammar) and correct pronunciation of the language. A toll-free helpline to answer students’ queries on the language might also be provided.

Giving Sanskrit the much needed push became a matter of debate after union HRD ministry’s recent efforts to promote the language. With a plan to start virtual classes for Sanskrit, UP government is not one to be left behind.

Sanskrit schools would each be provided with a computer and a projector to impart lessons through video conferencing. Besides, CDs containing especially designed study material would play in the classroom in which there are recorded lectures by experts.

Efforts to enhance Sanskrit schools with modern classrooms began in August last year. Now, Sanskrit Sansthan, under UP government’s department of languages, has submitted a proposal to the government to start smart-classes for e-learning of Sanskrit in government-aided schools.

The study material designed by the institute in consultation with scholars will be developed by UPDESCO. “Idea is to make the classroom innovative and help students learn correct pronunciation through audio-visual medium,” said Jagdanand Jha at Sanskrit Sansthan.

Sanskrit schools conduct studies for classes Vi to XII . Children from the government and aided primary schools inclined to learn the language take admission to these schools.

Lucknow has five Sanskrit schools of the 400-odd schools run by Madhyamik Sanskrit Shiksha Parishad across UP. “We wish to pick up 10 schools,” said Brajesh Chandra, director, UP Sanskrit Sansthan. Schools with noticeable strength will be picked up first.

The sansthan has sought Rs 1 crore to put in place the needed infrastructure and the website.