Context: Recently, West Bengal government has launched ‘Paray Shikshalaya’ Initiative.
Paray Shikshalaya

• It is an open-air classroom in the neighborhood programme – for students from class 1 to 7.
• The aim of this initiative is to encourage students who dropped out of schools during the Covid-19 pandemic to continue their education.

Purpose of Launch

• In view of the rising demand for physical classes, the state government reopened schools.
• Classroom teaching could not be called on due to fear of spikes in covid cases.
• Hence, students are being called in batches.

Where were these classes held?

• Schools which do not have open-air spaces conducted the classes in neighbourhood parks and grounds.
• Local councilors and MLAs helped set up infrastructure in such parks like putting up makeshift shades and chairs, besides making mid-day meal arrangements for the students.
• Schools which have open-air spaces held the classes there.
• Benches were set up for students and blackboards were placed to provide a real classroom experience.