As the nation stands in the cusp of flattening the curve of the pandemic and readies itself to embrace normalcy, EducationWorld on Children’s Day, 2021 explores schools and institutions across India with a close eye on their celebrations. Even though hybrid learning and physical attendance is taking shape slowly, yet some schools have preferred to keep celebrations virtual eyeing at the safety of the kids. 

Excitement and jubilation marked the celebration of Children’s Day at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Ghaziabad. Last year’s celebration was totally in the online mode because of Covid restrictions, but this year the school has made the day special for the students by celebrating it in both online and hybrid mode. For the children of the pre-primary wing, they have organized an interesting storytelling session, a puppet show, and an art-and-craft activity in the online mode. The decision was taken keeping in mind the health and safety of the little ones. For primary classes, the celebration was done in the hybrid format.

Teachers had also teamed up with some students on campus for a thrilling performance to be telecasted live for the students logging in from their homes. Celebrations have been held in the hybrid mode for senior classes as well. 

Ram Mohan Mission High School, Kolkata, however, had different plans for this day. “Although there was a virtual celebration held in the morning for the school children, the school management took a benevolent initiation to organise a blood donation camp in one of the Amphan-affected islands of Sunderbans at Malta. Many young children here have been inspired through this campaign and showed interest to donate blood after they attain the eligible age. The rural population is more than urban population in any city in India. The idea is to spread the campaign to rural areas.  Our youth are prospective resources for the nation. Keeping in mind the health of children and others, this Children’s Day, this blood donation camp is our humble contribution for them, said principal Sujoy Biswas, Ram Mohan Mission High School. 

Greenwood High International School, Bengaluru ensured physical celebrations for their students as well. The teachers gifted handmade gifts to their students. A Children’s Day special buffet lunch was also arranged for them. Apart from this, a cultural programme was also organised dedicated to the students.

Students of SAI Angan and SAI International School, Bhubaneswar celebrated the day virtually. The celebration ensured the students had a super fun time from the comfort of their homes making their day unforgettable. It was a day of songs and dance that their families and teachers witnessed. It was also a day of many interesting skits, pre-recorded by students. Children spoke about how much they missed getting back to school. “Previously, they used to receive ice-creams on this day. But this year we had to engage them in the virtual celebrations only,” said one of the spokesperson from the school.

On the other hand, Amity International School, Pushp Vihar kept the theme of the event for this year as “Book a Day With Story Books”. Renowned authors were invited to interact with the children. The event included story-telling, book reading and various others activities. “Mrs. Vinita Krishna, a prominent author of children’s books kept the young audience of classes KG and I spellbound through her storytelling sessions. Mrs. Shraddha Pandey’s stories for classes 2 and 3 also attracted children. Her session offered various activities to enhance the creative and scholastic skills of the children related to love for books. The buzz and excitement generated during Bindiya Charan’s session for classes 4 and 5 was quite tangible. It was a wonderful session as  children enjoyed writing and illustrating their pirate stories,” said a spokesperson of the school. In order to foster interest and appreciation for languages and literature, Master mariner and author, Captain Kunal Uniyal gave the students of classes 6,7 and 8 the knowledge and tools to successfully expand their world through the power of writing. Ms.Santosh Yadav, the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest twice graciously conducted a session for parents and students of the school. She shared her inspirational journey by quoting various events that helped her to become the mountaineer she is. She emphasized on the importance of good health by sharing valuable tips.

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