Union Minister for Education Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday inaugurated the CBSE Experience Centre at the CBSE Integrated Complex in Dwarka, New Delhi, to promote experiential learning and future-ready education.
Established at CBSE headquarters, the Centre offers students an immersive learning environment beyond textbooks. It allows them to explore the evolution of education, engage with emerging technologies and gain insights into future career opportunities, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Education.
The Minister expressed confidence that the Experience Centre would make school education more engaging, practical and student-centred. He emphasised that fostering curiosity, creativity and confidence among students was essential to preparing future generations to contribute to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Joshi Calls for Moving Beyond Rote Learning
Addressing the gathering, Joshi stressed the need to move beyond rote learning and an excessive focus on examination scores towards an education system that recognises students’ individual interests, abilities and learning capacities.
He said learning should extend beyond textbooks and enable students to understand concepts, apply their knowledge and develop confidence through real-life experiences.
The Minister said the CBSE Experience Centre reflected the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises experiential and holistic learning. He noted that such initiatives could nurture curiosity, encourage independent thinking and creativity, and prepare students to face challenges with greater confidence.
Government to Establish 50,000 Additional Atal Tinkering Labs
Highlighting the importance of practical learning, Joshi said students should not merely study scientific concepts but also observe, experiment and understand them through hands-on experiences.
Referring to the role of Atal Tinkering Labs in encouraging innovation and scientific temper, he said 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs were already operational across the country and the government had decided to establish 50,000 additional labs.
Joshi said education should equip young people with the knowledge, skills and values required to contribute meaningfully to society and the nation’s development.
Emphasising India’s growing potential in technology, manufacturing and innovation, he underscored the need to prepare students for the evolving demands of the global workforce. Referring to the recently launched Seva First Innovation Challenge, he noted that opportunities for practical experimentation and problem-solving could help nurture the next generation of innovators.
Centre Features 12 Zones and 21 Exhibits
The CBSE Experience Centre takes visitors through the changing story of education in India, connecting ancient traditions with modern learning and new career opportunities.
The Centre houses 12 broad zones and 21 exhibits spread across 6,000 square feet. RFID-enabled smart cards allow visitors to interact with exhibits, participate in activities and access personalised takeaways and game-based leaderboards.
The experience opens with ‘Shiksha Ki Kahani’, a film narrated using a representational voice personifying river Saraswati. It traces the evolution of knowledge and education in India, from the gurukul system and historic learning centres such as Nalanda to modern schools and digital classrooms. It also highlights the role of today’s students in carrying forward this legacy and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat.
A special section traces the rise of CBSE through historical photographs and archival material. It includes records from the year 1935 and offers a glimpse into the Board’s role in the evolution of the school education system.
The Centre also introduces students to the history of Earth through a visual and interactive geological timeline spanning millions of years.
Interactive Exhibits Offer Career Exploration
The Centre features interactive exhibits such as ‘Career Explorer’, ‘Future of Professions’ and ‘Magic Mirror: Future You’, which enable visitors to explore different career options and understand how the nature of work may change in the years ahead.
The experience also includes holographic interactions with eminent personalities, including Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
A dedicated kiosk on ‘Exam Warriors’, the book by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focuses on encouraging students to develop a healthier approach to examinations. It highlights the importance of confidence, stress management and a positive attitude.
‘Eduverse’ Highlights Interconnected Natural Systems
The Centre’s final experience, ‘Eduverse’, combines motion-based interaction and multisensory elements to take visitors across various natural landscapes, from forests, oceans and the Himalayas to the Moon and other planets.
The experience returns to Earth with the message that natural systems are interconnected and every individual is part of this living planet.
-PIB Inputs
