On Monday, Arunachal Pradesh Education Minister P.D. Sona inaugurated “Saksham”, a Student Activity and Enrichment Centre at Springdale 5th IRBn Welfare School in Pasighat. This innovative centre is designed to foster holistic development and empower young learners through activity-based, play-based, and experiential learning methodologies. It aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework 2023, aiming to nurture students into confident, curious, and well-rounded individuals.

At the inauguration, Minister Sona commended Garima Singh, IPS, Commandant of the 5th IRBn, and her team for their creative efforts in establishing the Saksham centre. He emphasized the need to replicate such initiatives across the state, describing them as model practices in education. According to him, such experiential learning methods are essential for igniting curiosity and joy for learning among students, making education more engaging and effective.

Importantly, the Saksham Centre is open to students beyond the 5th IRBn community, including children from Pasighat and nearby areas, making it a community-oriented initiative. The centre features a digital learning zone, library, indoor games section, and creative zones for drawing, music, crafts, and theatre. It also offers life skills training focused on health, hygiene, traffic safety, and value-based education.

During his address, Minister Sona announced a major policy shift—the integration of pre-primary schools with Anganwadi centres to introduce unified learning methods at the elementary level. He also stressed the importance of establishing space laboratories in schools to develop an interest in space science and technology among students.

Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering praised the initiative and urged students to focus on their studies to make full use of such learning opportunities. He acknowledged the effort of the 5th IRBn team in setting up an innovative facility dedicated to student empowerment and academic enrichment.

Commandant Garima Singh gave an overview of the various welfare-focused educational initiatives at Springdale School, highlighting how the Saksham Centre integrates both traditional and modern teaching approaches. She credited her entire team for the successful execution of the centre and reiterated their commitment to providing quality education to students.

The event also witnessed the presence of Pasighat East MLA Tapi Darang, Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani, Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba, and District Deputy School Education Officer (DDSE) Odhuk Tabing.

As part of the event, the Education Minister interacted with students, appreciated their exhibition models, and participated in a tree plantation drive within the school campus, underlining the importance of environmental consciousness alongside academic growth.

The Saksham Centre represents a significant step forward in transforming classroom learning into an engaging, interactive, and life-enriching experience, bridging traditional education with 21st-century skills. By combining technology, creative expression, and life skills, the initiative serves as a blueprint for inclusive and future-ready education in Arunachal Pradesh and potentially, the broader Northeast region.