March is the month of our independence. Bangabandhu was born in this month. The language movement also started in March. On the other hand, on March 25, 1971, the brutal killings of the Pakistani invaders in Bangladesh and the preparations for the liberation war began. Bangabandhu also gave his historic speech on March 7, 1971. In other words, the month of March is an incomparable and unforgettable month in the national life of Bengalis. The celebration of Independence and national day of every year is made with different cheers and happiness. The students, teachers and parents are more excited to take part physically in such a celebration. We usually observe some activities every year in schools, that includes Independence Day Art and Craft activities, drawing and painting competitions, group reading storybooks, recitation and many more. It seems that we are confined to these activities; we never try to come out of the box. So let us have a look at some of the interesting Independence Day celebrations and activities for schools that instills the spirit of freedom in kids. The following formalities may be kept in mind while celebrating the national and independence day every year:
1. Prayer and Discussion Session for the Freedom-fighters: No doubt, we always pray for all martyrs and those who won us the independence. But, once the independence anniversary comes, we must arrange a special session to pray for them, congregating all students, teachers, staff and if possible parents in the school premises. An Islamic scholar may be invited to make a dua for the martyrs and those who sacrificed their lives for the independence of the country.
2. Hoisting National Flag: Though every day, all of our schools hoist national flags in the school time, but on this special day, teachers should teach the students about the importance of hoisting it very early morning of the day. There should be a special value of the national flag which should be hoisted in a formal way in the school to teach them that all must uphold the prestige of the national anthem.
3. Rendering National Anthem: Followed by flag hoisting, it is very common to sing the national anthem together which triggers the spirit among students. Teachers and parents can take initiatives beforehand to help the kids memorize the national anthem so that they can sing along with all proud and happy feeling. The National Anthem has a great significance on this special day as we know how our freedom fighters got inspired and motivated with this beautiful creation all through the freedom struggle. The uniqueness of this song is its versatility and it is truly emotional. In fact, celebration for the day is incomplete without this proud moment.
4. Amar Sonar Bangla Feast: School can arrange feast, that may be titled as Amar Sonar Bangla feast where students can enjoy with all classmates, school friends, teachers and staff in a nice arrangement. The parents and some other freedom fighters may be invited to the feast and honoured with proper care.
5. Cultural Fest: On the occasion of independence day the school should arrange a cultural fest. The students can form small to large groups to perform patriotic songs. This fest can be anything from vocals, shadow dancing, or drama to classical dance performances which can grace the occasion. Here, parents can also be invited as part of the program and give them an opportunity to feel proud of their children.
6. Stage Show of Short Movie: There should be an arrangement of drama or movie show in the schedule of the day. It would be a good idea to show a patriotic movie or drama on the big screen using projectors in large school halls or auditoriums. Teachers can choose movies which include significant incidents and pave the way to freedom and that shows the spirit of fraternity in achieving the goals. Teachers may also have an interesting session after the movie where kids can share their understandings or viewpoints from the movie.
7. Patriotic Costume Contest: This is a really interesting activity that can be totally exciting for entry-level middle school and high school students. Kids can dress up as freedom fighters in this special fancy dress competition. They can even include unique items of seven Bir Shrestha and others freedom fighters to make the activity more colorful. This is sure to give a sense of feeling of patriotism for not only the participants but also for the kids who are on the audience side.
8. Independence Day Theme Party: This may be an exceptional idea that students will arrange such theme party which can give extra value to the independence day. Just like any other occasion, arranging a theme party helps to get an overall feel of the special day. Every arrangement for the day can inspire some color combinations from our national flag or related symbols. The organizers can make an effort to make the food menu based on themes by including two colored food items to resemble our national flag.
9. Independence Concepts through Tree Plantation: Teachers and school authorities can take a brilliant step as part of the Independence Day activities that the students may be taken for a tree plantation drive. This is a great way to explain the concepts of the special day through such a project. As we enjoy hard-earned independence, it is really important to preserve our environment. The life of trees can be set as an example to convey the ideas of unity and diversity. The growth of trees is remarkable in clusters which show the significance of unity. Similarly, the concept of diversity can also be seen when different kinds of trees support each other for survival. Students can be as fresh as the trees.
10. Different Competitions: The teachers can organize different kinds of competitions on Independence day. Such as; quiz contest, Arts and Painting, Flag relay race, poem recitation, storytelling competitions etc. An educationist or freedom fighter can be invited to distribute the prizes among the winners in a festive mood.
11. Study tour: The teachers and school authority can arrange a study tour on the occasion of Independence Day. More than just textbook information, visiting such places can help kids to have a deeper level of knowledge about the phase and understand the relevance of their struggles better. Besides, study tours should be a part of education in the school on the day. The teachers can narrate the incidents while they go for the tour and let the kids take notes if they find the information interesting.
12. Organizing different games Tournament: On this special day the school authority may organize a tournament like; Football, Cricket, Basketball, Volleyball, Table Tennis or Kabaddi tournament between class to class of section to section. The students can enjoy it very much. The national level any players can be invited to watch the tournament and distribute the prizes among the winners.
13. Organizing Plays or Skits: This is an exciting activity that can make the celebrations more colorful. Kids can take this opportunity to enact any prominent happening in history that showcases patriotic feelings. Teachers can use this chance to help kids to have a closer look into the incidents in history. Letting them know about how our freedom fighters give their best to get us the freedom through interesting scripts can make them feel proud of our heroes. Moreover, the students watching the skit also take a moment to realize the hardships of our icons which inspires them to use the hard-earned freedom wisely.
14. Framing Human Chain Flag: The school with large grounds may come up with interesting themes like kids in large groups forming the shape of the national flag. Students are also given special gifts and sweets to make the day more special.
15. Arrangement of Charity Works: Every school must have a social welfare club, under which the students can take some remarkable activities like charity works. Donation to the poor, feeding the street children, distributing books and education items to the distressed children, cloth distribution etc. can be arranged on this very special day. Many schools take this opportunity to let students come up with campaigns for charity works and social activities.
Therefore, the formalities which we maintain usually on the independence day, should be revised and updated with some more other creative ideas as mentioned above. The teachers have to study the global civilization and its grave history like the birth history of Bangladesh, which had been conquered by the great sacrifice of our national heroes. So celebration cannot be confined in some so-called formalities only. Our present generation should learn the independence history with real information and celebrate Independence Day with proper dignity and appropriate manner.
Dr Md Mahmudul Hassan is the Principal of Daffodil International School, Dhaka and President, Federation of English Medium Schools (FEMS)
