Joyful Saturday Activity by Gujarat Education Department
Gujarat Education Department has launched the Joyful Saturday Activity program as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation, transforming Saturdays into bagless days for primary school students (Classes 1 to 8). This initiative aims to make learning joyful, reduce academic stress, combat mobile phone addiction, and promote physical fitness, creativity, and holistic development among children.
Program Overview
The Joyful Saturday program started in July 2025 across all government, grant-in-aid, and private primary schools in Gujarat. On these Saturdays (school timings: 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM), students attend classes without school bags and participate in experiential, activity-based learning instead of regular academics.
Key Objectives:
- Reduce screen time and mobile dependency among children
- Address rising obesity through physical activities
- Boost happiness index, social skills, and classroom engagement
- Promote Indian cultural values and vocational awareness through NEP-aligned activities
Official Guidelines and Schedule
The Gujarat Council of Educational Research and Training (GCERT) has issued detailed guidelines with structured activities for each Joyful Saturday. Schools follow a rotating calendar of themes and tasks.
Weekly Activity Structure:
- 7:30-8:00 AM: Mass drill, yoga, or mindfulness exercises
- 8:00-9:00 AM: Cultural activities (Bal Sabha) – storytelling, poetry, folk songs, traditional games
- 9:00-10:00 AM: Creative sessions – art, craft, drawing, music, group projects
- 10:00-11:00 AM: Outdoor/physical activities or local visits (village tours, workplace exposure)
Sample Themes from GCERT Calendar:
- Joyful Saturday Activity Part-1 (March 2025)
- Joyful Saturday Activity Part-2 (September 2025)
- Science Exhibition themes integrated with joyful learning
Core Activities Under the Program
The program emphasizes 10 Bagless Days concept extended to weekly Saturdays, with diverse activities:
Physical & Health Focus:
- Traditional games: Kho-kho, kabaddi, running, rope jumping, long jump
- Yoga sessions and mass PT drills
- Nutrition awareness through healthy food projects and anti-junk food campaigns
Creative & Cultural:
- Art & craft: Doodling, poster making, kite flying, best-out-of-waste
- Music & dance: Folk songs, regional dances, drama/mimes
- Storytelling circles with moral stories and local folklore
Vocational & Experiential:
- Village visits and workplace tours (farms, shops, artisans)
- Gardening, cleanliness drives, tree planting
- Career talks and labor value discussions to respect all professions
Benefits and Impact
For Students:
- Improved physical fitness and reduced obesity
- Enhanced creativity, confidence, and social skills
- Break from routine studies builds interest in school
- Real-world exposure reduces virtual world dependency
For Schools:
- Positive atmosphere increases attendance on Saturdays
- Teachers observe hidden talents and build better student relationships
- Aligns with NEP 2020's holistic, stress-free learning goals
Feedback Mechanism:
Schools collect student/parent feedback by October 2025 end (first semester) to refine activities for the second semester.
Implementation Across Gujarat
- All primary schools (govt, aided, private) mandatory participation
- One teacher per school trained by GCERT for program coordination
- GCERT provides modules, training, and monitoring support
- First Joyful Saturday observed on July 5, 2025
Joyful Saturday Activity |
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10 Bagless Day- Paripatra |
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Joyful Saturday Activity Book Part - 1 |
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Joyful Saturday Activity Book Part - 2 |
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Gujarat Joyful Saturday Activity 2025, GCERT Bagless Saturday Program, Joyful Saturday Gujarat Primary Schools, NEP 2020 Joyful Saturday Guidelines, Gujarat Education Department Saturday Activities, The Joyful Saturday Activity by Gujarat Education Department marks a progressive step toward child-centric education, making weekends meaningful while addressing modern challenges like screen addiction and sedentary lifestyles. Schools continue to implement and evolve the program based on ongoing feedback.
