Why in news? Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) establishes Standard Clubs for students across nation

Highlights:

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, has announced 6,467 ‘Standard Clubs’ in schools and colleges across the country.
• Programme was started in 2021 to nurture young ambassadors for quality life

What is the aim of the programme ?

• It aims to instil in young minds the paramount importance of quality, standards, and generating scientific temperament.

What are the features of  Standard Clubs ?

• Students of class IX and above and studying science subjects are eligible to be part of the Clubs.
• Standards Clubs can be formed in any educational institution in India comprising teachers and students with High & Higher Secondary schools, engineering colleges, science colleges, polytechnics, professional institutions.
• It will have wide range of activities conducted like Standards writing competitions, Quiz competitions, Debates, essay writing and poster making and Exposure visits to laboratories & Industrial units
• Training programmes for mentors of standard clubs , exposure visits to labs and industry units for student members are organized regularly by BIS

How the standard clubs are funded ?

• Financial assistance to organize the activities is provided by BIS to the educational institutions.
• High and higher secondary eligible Government Schools with Standards Clubs will receive a one-time Laboratory Grant to a maximum of Rs. 50,000/- in the form of state of the art lab equipment for upgrading their Science
• Financial assistance of upto Rs. 1,00,000/- is given to establish ‘Manak Kaksha’ in government institutions.

What are Manak Kaksha’?

• Under this initiative one room in the school shall be renovated by providing basic amenities like smart TVs, audio video systems, proper illumination, decorating the walls etc.
• These spaces are to be designed to inspire curiosity and innovation, fostering the growth of future leaders