Science education and promotion: Understanding the reach of media among rural school students

Abstract

As our country is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, it is imperative that every citizen, particularly the youth, must contribute to nation-building for further acceleration in economic growth and prosperity. India has the immense potential to reap rich demographic dividends if the youths are adequately empowered and engaged by implementing appropriate, effective and timely policies. A nation witnesses incredible economic growth when there is scope for the continuous flourishing of science, technology and innovation. This unequivocally calls for enrichment in science education among school goers. In an effort to identify and tap the bright and creative young minds in India, there are government-funded several programmes for science education and promotion. An example of one such remarkable programme is ‘Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan’ launched recently by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The pertinent question arises here whether there is equality in getting access to government initiatives by the youths across the length and breadth of the nation. The present article attempts to understand this particular scenario by pursuing a field study among high school students studying in schools situated in remote areas of the Sonitpur district in Assam. The article also highlighted the media interventions to be undertaken to make the initiatives for science education and promotion more accessible and attractive.