Around 300 ATLs boosting skill development and innovations
Hyderabad:Over 300 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) have been set up in different government and private schools to promote skill development and innovation across the state. These labs aim to enhance creativity, problem-solving skills and hands-on experience in fields like robotics, AI, and electronics.
ATLs provide students with modern tools such as 3D printers, sensors, and microcontrollers to encourage experiential learning.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s proposal to set up 50,000 ATLs in the next five years to cultivate scientific temper in young minds, have raised concerns with education experts stating that students could lose critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the absence of practical learning.
They believe that overly focus on classroom teaching and textbook-based learning will deprive students from thinking out of the box.
Chava Ravi, state president of Telangana State United Teachers Federation (TSUTF) criticised corporate institutions for focusing on marks and grades.
“Many schools, which consider practical classes as a waste of time, do not have proper laboratories. Instead, they manipulate the system to award full marks for practical exams without providing actual exposure to students,” said Ravi, while urging the government to ensure proper lab facilities in every institution and to mandate practical learning.
Dr. K. Ravikanth Rao, an officer from the State Institute of Educational Technology, said “Not all schools pressure students, as some follow progressive teaching methodologies. Schools should adopt a more practical approach, encouraging students to participate in lab experiments.”
ATLs can foster innovation among students, he contended.
Adimoolam Venkat, state general secretary of TSUTF, said “Knowledge should aid intellectual growth, but the current marks-driven approach is leading to a near absence of subject comprehension.”
