Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 October 2025
In a pioneering move to promote experiential learning, the Department of Education, under the Samagra Shiksha framework, has organized an exposure visit to the Barren Island Volcano — India’s only active volcano — for students of Government Schools across the Islands.
A total of 125 students from Classes IX and XI, along with 12 escort teachers (six male and six female) and one coordinator, are participating in the programme. The participants were selected from six educational blocks — South Andaman, Wimberlygunj, Little Andaman, Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur — through a uniform selection process to ensure equitable representation.
The visit aims to provide experiential and place-based learning opportunities, allowing students to connect classroom lessons with real-world phenomena. By exploring the geological features, volcanic activity, and biodiversity of Barren Island, students will gain firsthand insights into Earth sciences and environmental conservation — aligning with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
All travel, safety, and logistical arrangements have been made by the State Project Office, Samagra Shiksha, in compliance with the guidelines of the Administration and CBSE. After the visit, each student will prepare an individual experience report based on their learning and observations. The best report will be felicitated at an appropriate forum, and students will be encouraged to share their experiences during school assemblies to inspire peers.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Ram Pravesh, State Project Officer, Samagra Shiksha, welcomed the students and highlighted the educational importance of visiting an active volcano. Mr. Gyan Sheel Dubey, DDE (HoO/Acad), noted that such initiatives foster scientific temperament, teamwork, and environmental awareness among students, thereby advancing the goals of holistic education envisioned under NEP 2020.
This exposure visit represents a significant step toward integrating experiential learning into the academic framework, nurturing a generation of curious, informed, and environmentally conscious young citizens of the Islands.
