Maharashtra government introduced the Bridge course developed by the State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT) for students of classes II to X. Bridge course uses diversified methodologies to develop integral skills among students.
"Bridge course is another term for a pre-preparatory course that focuses on academics and enhancing the skills required to ensure that students are well prepared for the next academic year. The course is uniquely designed with a combination of different methodologies using techniques such as videos, worksheets, activities, experiments and interactive games. These methodologies would help the students in developing skills like their reading, writing, Maths and numeric sense, comprehension, logical and critical thinking. The main focus of the Bridge course is to enhance the trans-disciplinary skills of the students.” said Jyotsna Mayadas, principal, Euro School.
Bridge course gives sufficient time to the students to clear their basic concepts and facilitate a smooth transition to move from the previous class to the current class.
Umakant Kumar, headmaster, UMS Kharihara Urdu (Boy) school in Banka district of Bihar, says, "Bridge course is developed to upgrade lower proficiency level to a higher proficiency level. This course is an alternative attempt to coordinate the competencies of the current class with the competencies of the previous class. This course can be for three, six or nine months. After completing this course, students are included in the age-relative class. Bridge course would prove to be very helpful in integrating the average students with academically good students. This course is designed keeping in mind the learning outcomes so that the skills of the previous class can be coordinated with the skills of the next class."
Priti Shrimal, principal, Billabong High International School, Vadodara, says, "Bridge course would bridge the learning gaps and strengthens certain fundamental concepts. It is crafted to incorporate a customised learning profile for each individual student and to tailor make their learning resources. Various interesting and engaging digital tools like PPT, videos, animated plans are designed catering to the personalised requirements of students in such a way that stimulates their learning experience. Bridge course would help students improve learning outcomes because it employs individualised and personalised strategies which focus on the strengths that create opportunities and weaknesses that create consequent threats(SWOT)."
Shrimal further says that the course is aligned to the learning outcomes and factors on honing, comprehending and thinking skills. Students are not given ready solutions but are encouraged to construct their own answers and arrive at solutions, adds Shrimal.