From massaging grandparents' feet to discussing contemporary topics: a unique summer homework for Haryana Govt school students

Indian Express

29-05-2025

During their month-long summer vacation starting June 1, students from classes 1 to 5 in Haryana government schools will engage in assignments instead of conventional homework. And, instead of school teachers, parents will evaluate their children's performance based on engagement in these activities.
According to officials, this year, traditional homework has been replaced with experiential learning, encouraging students to connect with their families and actively participate in domestic tasks. These will include massaging their grandparents' feet, listening to their stories, and contributing to household responsibilities.
Officials said the approach aims to foster familial bonds, respect for elders, and hands-on learning, making summer vacations more enriching and enjoyable.
Pramod Kumar, State Programme Officer, NIPUN, told The Indian Express Thursday, 'For decades, teachers have assigned homework focused on handwriting improvement and various project works. However, this time, students from classes 1 to 5 will engage in activities that align with their natural interests, contribute to household responsibilities, strengthen family connections, and show respect for their elders.'
Haryana NIPUN is a state-level initiative launched in 2021 to align with the Central government's NIPUN Bharat Mission, aiming to achieve foundational literacy and numeracy in both Hindi and English for all children.
'Summer vacations are meant to be enjoyable for children. We have designed a special curriculum that enables them to learn and contribute meaningfully while having fun. They will be encouraged to sing traditional songs, listen to stories from their elders, and discuss contemporary topics, ranging from recent events like Operation Sindoor to everyday subjects such as the rising prices of gold,' Kumar added.
The Haryana School Education Department has already provided teachers with a detailed outline regarding the summer vacation programme. Parents will be invited to visit schools in July to share their children's performance in these activities with teachers.
'For evaluation purposes, parents will observe their child's engagement in activities for 72 hours during the vacation period, grading them based on participation, effort, creativity, and learning. Simple tasks like neatly arranging bedsheets, pillows, and blankets after waking up will also be considered. This approach fosters parent-child interaction and promotes shared responsibility in the learning process,' said Kumar.
He said this new plan replaces the conventional, monotonous homework with a more engaging, experiential, and joyful learning framework. He added as it is designed to enhance foundational literacy and numeracy in a practical, contextual manner, the holiday homework shifts the focus from rote memorisation to meaningful, hands-on, and reflective learning experiences.
From June 1 to June 30, children will engage in activities aligned with their interests, hobbies, and natural surroundings. These tasks will include conserving electricity and water, observing plant growth, tracking weather changes such as rainfall and temperature, and familiarising themselves with digital tools like Google Pay, Paytm, Google Maps, and Duolingo.
Additionally, they will be encouraged to mark days on calendars, explore regional languages such as Haryanvi and Punjabi, and participate in traditional games like Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, and Antakshari. Officials said watching sunrises, moon phases, and stars will spark curiosity, while crafting toys and learning about natural cycles will foster a deeper, more joyful connection with science, the environment, and creativity — all seamlessly integrated with foundational learning objectives.
Children's summer assignments will include civic and academic engagements, such as memorising Aadhaar and family phone numbers, learning the names of national and local leaders — including the Prime Minister, President, Chief Minister, MPs, and MLAs — and integrating core subjects like Mathematics, English, Hindi, Environmental Science, and Social Studies into their learning.
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