Hubballi: Under an agreement signed with the School Education Department, GTTC will deploy dedicated trainers to the labs to teach students creativity, technology, innovation and problem-solving skills in line with the Atal Innovation Mission curriculum.A new initiative under the ‘Empowering ATLs’ project aims to strengthen hands-on STEM education in 194 govt schools across Karnataka by improving lab management, providing expert mentorship and enhancing practical learning.Implemented by the Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC) in collaboration with Samagra Shikshana-Karnataka, the 10-month programme will begin next month and continue into the next academic year. It seeks to revive Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), several of which have remained underutilised due to a shortage of qualified trainers.Maruti Bhajantri, Principal, GTTC, Hubballi, said that the centre would provide expert trainers as well as materials required for maintaining lab equipment and conducting training. Students will also be prepared for hackathons and competitions, besides being taken on industrial visits at the district and cluster levels. The instructors will receive a fixed honorarium of INR 20,000 per month.Deepak Kulkarni, Nodal Officer at DIET, Dharwad, said 21 ATLs in the district were promoting student innovation through technical workshops and structured mentorship.The ATL programme is centrally funded, with an initial capital grant of Rs 12 lakh for setting up each lab, followed by annual maintenance funding.
Leave a comment