Implementing ATL Tinkering Labs in Rural Schools in India: Challenges and Opportunities.
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Abstract
The Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) initiative, under the aegis of NITI Aayog, represents a transformative step towards fostering innovation and scientific temper in Indian schools. Though most of the ATL Labs have been tested and are effective in the urban schools, there are some challenges that affect the rural schools for instance ineffective infrastructure, inadequate training and socio-economic issues. However, these schools also have this kind of prospect and future possibilities in closing the innovation divide in rural schools to equip the youths for 21st-century skills. Following a general overview of the research challenges and advantages related to the implementation of ATL Tinkering Labs in rural schools, this review considers policies, stakeholders’ roles, and opportunities to foster innovations. A few ideas on how to avoid those pitfalls and how to make sure that ATLs could be as effective as possible in rural settings are provided....
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