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

Abstract

As the country is marching ahead for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India)’, it is imperative that every citizen, in particular the youths, must contribute to the nation building. 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 an incredible economic growth when there is scope for continuous flourishing of science, technology and innovation. This unequivocally calls for enrichment in science education among the 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 that whether there is equality in getting access to the 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 the high school students studying in schools situated in remote areas. The article also highlighted the media interventions to be undertaken to make the initiatives for science education and promotion more accessible and attractive.