‘School Shine’ project launched to enhance students’ vocational skills

Nagaland Schools to manufacture 1400 (9-watt) LED bulbs

DIMAPUR — To enhance vocational education and align with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and the National Education Policy (NEP), a “made in school project” called “School Shine” was officially launched on Monday at PM Shri Government High School Thahekhu, Dimapur.

The project was launched by the All India Society for Electronic and Computer Technology (AISECT) in partnership with Samagra Shiksha, Nagaland, with the aim of enhancing the practical skills of vocational students. Through this project, their goal is to manufacture 1,400 (9-watt) LED bulbs, fostering a startup environment for young innovators.

Speaking at the launching programme, Parvin Yadav, state coordinator for the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Skill India, Nagaland, highlighted how schools can serve as vital hubs for practical education where students not only gather theoretical knowledge but also develop essential skills.

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He opined that the project can enable schools to generate capital for self-sustainability, thereby enhancing the overall educational ecosystem.

Indranil Mukherjee, zonal head of AISECT, elaborated on the core objectives of the School Shine project while expressing his commitment to nurturing entrepreneurs from a young age and equipping them with skills and mindsets necessary for success in a competitive economy.

He emphasised that the project is intended to empower students while also providing schools with a means to generate income, adding that this income will foster a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the educational sphere, paving the way for future projects focussing on solar energy and environmentally friendly initiatives.

Nungshikaba, vocational coordinator, shared that the School Shine project will cover 43 schools across Nagaland.

He said that phase I will see students from the Electronics and Hardware stream taking the lead in manufacturing the LED bulbs as part of their school projects, whereby the hands-on experience is intended to provide them with practical insights into the manufacturing industry, encouraging creativity and innovation.

He mentioned that phase II will focus on students in retail, who will be responsible for budgeting and formulating marketing strategies for the bulbs they produce, and it will aim to develop their marketing skills, a crucial element in successfully launching any entrepreneurial endeavour.

Further, he said that phase III will involve students from the IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) fields, who will manage data entry for the bulbs produced and sold. They will also contribute to designing the overall project theme. This phase introduces students to the importance of data management and project organisation in business operations.

The final phase of the School Shine project will empower Class 12 students with the opportunity to submit startup project proposals. And these proposals will be funded by the income generated through the manufacturing and sale of the LED bulbs.

He stated that the initiative follows a non-refundable funding model, which encourages students to think creatively and develop innovative business ideas that align with their entrepreneurial aspirations.

A short speech was also delivered by Michael Yanthan, vice president of the Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU), during the programme.