Prerana, An Experiential Learning Program

Prerana

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.

About PRERNA

Are you a student of Class 9 to 12?
Are you prepared to immerse yourself in a unique and immersive learning experience?

Then read on!!!!

Picture a journey that transcends the boundaries of conventional education, a journey that ignites your curiosity and leads you along a captivating path of exploration. This path begins in the heart of Vadnagar, a small town nestled in the Mehsana district of Gujarat, India. Here lies a historic institution that dates to 1888, where a remarkable transformation is set to unfold. The institution is Prerana: The Experiential Learning School, where history will meet innovation, and tradition is seamlessly woven into a future-focused educational experience.

The Prerana School allows students to experience and internalize these values through the latest technology and hands-on activities, through a one-week program. The classrooms are based on nine themes that provide unique avenues for joyful and meaningful learning through activity-based engagement.

Aim of Prerana

The aim of Prerana is to inspire the students of all the districts of the country from a place from where the inspirational journey of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi started. The week-long camp/programme at Prerana school is a journey of inspiration to invoke the 3 following fundamental themes:

• Who am I?
• What is our history and cultural heritage?
• What can I do for my country?

Prerana School creates opportunities for students to explore country’s great culture through their journey of Vadnagar, a living city, its history, archaeology, and traditional Bhartiya Gyan Parampara. Students will learn to appreciate their heritage through state-of-the-art technology. PRERANA is  driven by a steadfast dedication to inculcate values intricately woven into the fabric of the Indian education system—values that have endured the test of time and make effective leaders.

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.

Why PRERANA?

Here’s why students should consider attending PRERANA:

• Leadership Development
  • Prerana empowers students with leadership qualities.
  • Participants learn decision-making, team-building, and critical thinking skills.
• Integration of Indian Education Principles
  • Prerana aligns with the Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education.
  • It embodies the cornerstones of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Holistic Learning Experience
  • The program combines heritage and innovation.
  • Students engage in yoga, mindfulness and hands-on learning activities.
• Inspiration from Real-Life Heroes
  • Participants walk alongside the lives of real-life heroes.
  • They discover how their actions transformed the country and the world.
• Vernacular School and Heritage Sites
  • Vadnagar, an ancient living city, is home to heritage sites and monuments.
  • The program integrates site visits for a real-world experience.
• Vision of a Developed India
  • Prerana aims to inspire today’s youth for leading the nation towards Viksit Bharat 
  • It embodies the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.

In a nutshell, Prerana provides a holistic, transformative experience that prepares students for leadership and meaningful contributions to society.

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:

• Swabhiman and Vinay
• Shaurya and Sahas
• Parishram and Samarpan
• Karuna and Seva
• Vividhta and Ekta
• Satyanishtha and Shuchita
• Navachar and Jigyasa
• Shraddha and Vishwas
• Swatantrata and Kartavya

Focus Areas

Indigenous knowledge systems

• Games and sports
• Health & food related to Ayurveda
• Geometry, Science & Art related to architecture,
• Natural dyes, printing & weaving related to textiles
• Astronomy
• Performing and visual arts
• Mythology and legends

New technologies and their creative uses

• Digital Classrooms
• Cameras, drones, 3D printers etc
• 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

• Value Discourse- Detailed textbook content
• Inspiring Stories- Examples and other relevant real life stories
• Personal Reflections- Examples in students’ lives
• Hands’ on Activity
• Presentation- Compiling the day’s learning
• Vadnagar Stories/ Local stories
• Videos- Watching inspiring and relevant short videos & films
• Logbook- Answering questions and writing reflections
• Thought Provoking Questions- Go deep into the topic introduced on the given day
• 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:

• Watching films
• Immersing in storytelling
• Participating, and learning about regional games
• Crafting working radio models
• Exposure to computer design skills
• Making portraits
• Observing water samples
• Delving into cutting-edge technological advancements like 3D printing, drones
• 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."

Mentors

• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• One female teacher as Guardian Teachers from each district is nominated by school from which the girl student is selected
• Selected teachers should be able to train other teachers after attending the program
• She should be fit and healthy with experience of atleast 4-5 years
• She should not be a parent of any participating student
• 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.
• 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.

How to Participate?

• 20 students are selected in every batch of PRERANA from 10 different districts.
• Two students (one girl and one boy) and two as backup are selected from each district.
• Students from class IX to XII (session 2024-25) will register through PRERANA Portal giving personal details, school details and special achievements.
• Students will give details of District and Urban/ Rural (on Portal) based on Location of School.
• Organisation of ‘Prerana Utsav' in every school having classes IX to XII of every district
• Screening of film on PRERANA program and orientation of 'Prerna Utsav' by schools during the organisation of 'Prerna Utsav’
• Talent display by students- Various activities like writing essay/poem/story/song on given topic, drawing etc. (One activity by each student)

First Level: Students selected– Selection of 02 best students (01 boy and 01 girl) from each school in the district from class IX-XII

Second Level: Organisation of 'Prerna Utsav' at district level in JNV

• Participation of students selected at school level in activities organised on topics like 'Why should I be selected for Prerana', 'My vision for India' and ‘Viksit Bharat'
• Following the activities, selection of 30 students (15 boys and 15 girls) based on their personality assessment and suitability for the program

Third Level: Personal interview of selected 30 students in JNV

• 2 participants (1 boy and 1 girl) and 2 backup participants (1 boy and 1 girl) are finally selected from each district

The students who are finally selected will be informed by email on contact details of schools/students.

Source: Prerana