INNOVATIVE TEACHING PRACTICES

EVENT: NATIONAL PANCHAYATI RAJ DAY

CONDUCTED BY: DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE                         

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 50

ACTIVITY: CLASS PANCHAYAT

Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on April 24th every year in India to commemorate the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, which led to the establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions in India. To celebrate this day, the students of Class XI at Ahlcon International School decided to simulate the functioning of a Gram Panchayat by dividing themselves into a Sarpanch, five Panchs, and the rest of the students representing the Gram Sabha of a fictional town called Dholakpur.

The class was divided into three groups. The first group consisted of the Sarpanch and the five Panchs, who were responsible for proposing and implementing policies for the development of the town. The second group represented the Gram Sabha, who were responsible for providing feedback and suggestions to the Sarpanch and the Panchs. The third group acted as observers, who monitored and analysed the decision-making process.

The Sarpanch and the Panchs were given hypothetical situations such as intercaste marriage, personal conflict, water scarcity, and disparity between rich and poor, which they had to address using their collective wisdom and the feedback from the Gram Sabha. The decisions made by the Sarpanch and the Panchs were then presented to the Gram Sabha for approval.

The celebration of Panchayati Raj Day was a great learning experience. The simulation exercise helped the students understand the importance of Panchayati Raj institutions and their role in the development of rural India. It also helped them develop skills such as critical thinking, decision-making, and communication. The exercise was an excellent way for the students to celebrate Panchayati Raj Day and appreciate the democratic process of decision-making.