As the education sector embraces the National Education Policy (NEP) for Grade 6 from this academic year in the state, a significant shift in curriculum and teaching methodology is underway. The newly-introduced textbooks of Grade 6 is aligned with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023, emphasising conceptual understanding over rote learning. With an increased focus on abstract concepts, students will be encouraged to engage with unfamiliar contexts, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Recognising the challenges that come with this transition, a Bridge Month Course has been designed to support students as they move from the primary to the middle stage of education. This innovative program ensures that students adapt seamlessly to the expanded curriculum areas and new pedagogical approaches, making learning enjoyable and interactive. The State Council of Educational Research and Training – Parvari , Goa is all set to roll out the training for teachers of Grade 6 on the Bridge Month Program or the One-month Bridge Course as it is said.
The training is scheduled in 3 blocks with multiple talukas combined in each block to ensure effective transaction of the curriculum during the training. These Half-Day training session will be from 24th March and continue up to 3rd April 2025. In the first schedule release by SCERT, the training for English, Hindi, Marathi, Konkani, Sanskrit, Social Science, Physical Education and Vocational Education are announced, whereas trainings for Science and Maths will be announced once the assessments of Grade10 board exams are completed. Each day, two subjects will be trained at each centre with theory and practical approach towards organising bridge course.
Why a Bridge Course?
Grade 6 marks a crucial transition as students shift from the Environmental Studies-based curriculum to distinct subjects like Science, Social Science, and Mathematics. Traditionally, students have been accustomed to textbook-centric learning. However, the new approach integrates competency-based learning, peer interaction, and experiential activities to make education more engaging.
The Bridge Month is designed as a fun-filled period where students engage in games, activities, group discussions, and simple projects to foster curiosity and collaboration. The goal is to set the right atmosphere for learning while making subjects feel inter-connected and meaningful.
Subject-Wise Approach for Bridge Month
Mathematics: Learning with Fun
• Interactive games and puzzles to develop problem-solving skills
• Magic tricks with numbers to make learning enjoyable
• Group activities to build confidence in calculations
Science: Hands-on Experiments
• Simple, interactive experiments using household objects
• Outdoor exploration to observe scientific phenomena
• Fun quizzes and science-based storytelling
Social Science: Real-World Connections
• Explaining globes and maps in an engaging manner
• Visiting historical sites, museums, and community spaces
• Interviewing elders to understand local history
Language: Building a Reading Culture
• Visits to the library to explore books and storytelling sessions
• Creative writing exercises to enhance expression
• Group discussions to encourage verbal communication
Art Education: Expressing Through Creativity
• Learning basic art forms and techniques
• Dance and movement-based activities related to regional culture
• Craft projects to enhance artistic skills
Physical Education: Active Learning
• Sports-based activities to introduce basic vocabulary and movement
• Yoga and group exercises for physical well-being
• Team games to develop cooperation and coordination
Conclusion:
The Grade 6 Bridge Course is a well-structured, one-month initiative designed to ease students into the NCF-SE 2023 curriculum. Learning should not be meant only for assessment but it should aim at encouraging the student to explore, investigate and infer ideas and concepts on their own. This bridge course can be considered as the first step towards shifting from content-based pedagogy to competency-based pedagogy in the classrooms. By integrating activity-based learning, foundational skill-building, and student engagement, this program ensures a smooth transition into the new academic year. Teachers and students alike will benefit from this structured approach, setting the stage for an enriching and enjoyable learning experience.
