Classmate All Rounder Supports NEP’s Vision for Holistic Growth
ITC’s Classmate concluded the third edition of its flagship Classmate All Rounder (CAR) 2024 programme with an impressive national finale held in New Delhi. This student-focused event brought together 60 finalists from 700 schools across 14 cities, carefully selected from a pool of 2.1 lakh participants through school and city-level rounds. The finale saw two winning teams—one each from the junior (Classes 6–8) and senior (Classes 9–12) categories—emerge victorious, with each student receiving a ₹1 lakh cash prize and the Classmate All Rounder 2024 trophy.
Focus on NEP-Driven Holistic Learning
The Classmate All Rounder programme is closely aligned with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on promoting well-rounded student development. The initiative goes beyond academics, encouraging participation in multiple skill areas such as critical thinking, environmental awareness, cultural understanding, sports, ethics, values, creativity, public speaking, and performing arts.
The programme’s unique format ensures that students get an opportunity to showcase both academic proficiency and co-curricular excellence. With three well-defined stages—school, city, and national levels—the CAR programme aims to create equal opportunities for both junior and senior school students across India.
Eminent Guests and Judging Panel
The finale event was graced by Dr Joseph Emmanuel, Chairperson of CISCE, as the chief guest. Distinguished judges included Apurva Chamaria (Global Head, Venture Capital and Start-up Partnerships & Author) and Manoj Mittal (Founder, DAV United), who evaluated students across three stages: team presentations, a knowledge-based quiz, and situational Q&A.
Dr Emmanuel remarked, “The Classmate Allrounder Programme represents the transformative power of holistic education. These students exemplify the balanced development we envision through NEP 2020.”
Scientifically Designed Assessment Aligned with NEP Pillars
CAR 2024 assessments were developed by experts from NCERT, SCERT, NEP, and NCF committees, ensuring alignment with national educational standards. Students were evaluated on five key NEP pillars:
- Critical Thinking (including literacy, numeracy, scientific reasoning)
- Cultural Awareness
- Environment & Sustainability
- Sports & Fitness
- Empathy, Ethics & Values
These pillars reflect the NEP’s commitment to fostering multi-dimensional learning, preparing students for real-world challenges through integrative educational experiences.
Classmate’s Broader Educational Vision
Vikas Gupta, Chief Executive of ITC’s Education and Stationery Products Business Division, stated, “Classmate All Rounder is designed to create space for students to nurture their unique talents and be recognized for their all-round achievements. We aim to foster an educational ecosystem where holistic development truly takes centre stage.”
He further emphasized that Classmate remains dedicated to making learning enjoyable and meaningful. As part of this broader commitment, the brand has also introduced:
- Augmented reality notebooks for immersive STEM learning
- eduGAMES offering short logical and numerical challenges
- myClassmate app, a platform for digital skill-building activities
These tools complement traditional learning and encourage students to explore knowledge through interactive means.
Conclusion
The Classmate All Rounder 2024 programme showcases how private sector initiatives can effectively support national education policies. By recognizing and nurturing holistic talent in schoolchildren, it aligns perfectly with the NEP’s vision of developing critical thinkers, ethical citizens, and culturally rooted learners. As Classmate continues to innovate in educational experiences, initiatives like CAR remain a valuable platform for fostering India’s future-ready generation.
