Kerala school launches centre for activities, games to help children escape digital screen
A Kerala school opened an activity centre, stocked with board games like chess and ludo, to combat excessive screen time and promote healthy mental development through constructive play.
A Kerala school opened an activity centre, stocked with board games like chess and ludo, to combat excessive screen time and promote healthy mental development through constructive play.
A Kerala school opened an activity centre, stocked with board games like chess and ludo, to combat excessive screen time and promote healthy mental development through constructive play.
In a commendable bid to steer children away from excessive screen time and promote healthy mental development, the Government Vocational Higher Secondary School (GVHSS) in Kaipattoor has launched a dedicated activity centre. Spearheaded by the school's Career Guidance and Counselling Cell, the facility is designed to encourage pupils to swap their digital gadgets for traditional, mind-stimulating board games.
The newly established hub is stocked with a variety of engaging options, including chess, ludo, carrom, and diverse puzzles. The primary objective is to inspire students to utilise their free hours constructively, fostering deep thinking, real-world communication, and cooperative teamwork rather than mindless scrolling on mobile phones.
A community-driven initiative
What makes the activity centre even more special is its community-backed origin. Built entirely through generous public contributions, the school received numerous donations of both brand-new and gently used board games from parents, teachers, and local well-wishers. This collaborative effort highlights the community’s shared concern over rising digital dependency among youngsters.
Fostering essential life skills
The Career Guidance and Counselling Cell highlighted that these games are not merely for recreation; they play a crucial role in shaping a child's cognitive and social faculties. Engaging in these activities helps students sharpen their concentration, logical reasoning, patience, and problem-solving abilities, whilst instilling a healthy team spirit in an interactive, friendly environment.
Encouraged by the warm reception, school authorities plan to scale up these activities in the future. By championing the motto of learning through play rather than digital devices, the school hopes to spread a vital message across the wider community regarding the importance of a balanced, screen-free childhood.