A group of 400 students from Nicobar District schools set off on an educational excursion to Barren Island on December 31, 2025, aimed at providing hands-on learning about the region’s geography and natural environment. The students, travelling in groups from Campbell Bay, Nancowry, and Car Nicobar, are accompanied by 16 teachers to ensure safety and guidance throughout the trip.
The students from Campbell Bay (100), Nancowry (148), and Car Nicobar (150) arrived in Sri Vijaya Puram to board the vessel MV Swaraj Dweep for their journey to Barren Island. Prior to this, they embarked on the vessel Nalanda on December 30, 2025, marking the start of the educational program. The return journey is scheduled for January 3, 2026, following a short stay in Sri Vijaya Puram.
Organized by the Directorate of Education, Sri Vijaya Puram, the initiative is designed to provide students, particularly from remote southern islands, with a unique experiential learning opportunity. By visiting Barren Island, students can study its geographical features and gain firsthand knowledge of the region’s ecological and environmental significance.
The Directorate of Education has made extensive arrangements for travel, accommodation, and on-site supervision, ensuring that both students and teachers are well-supported throughout the excursion. Officials emphasized the importance of such programs in broadening students’ understanding of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ biodiversity and natural heritage.
Parents, teachers, and Zonal Officers from all three zones expressed appreciation to the Director of Shipping Services, A&N Administration, for facilitating vessel arrangements that have been pivotal in ensuring the smooth execution of the tour. Officials noted that the availability of dedicated transport has played a crucial role in making such field-based educational programs feasible for students from distant islands.
The tour is structured to combine educational enrichment with experiential learning. Students are expected to explore Barren Island’s terrain, study its geographical and ecological attributes, and develop a deeper awareness of the natural environment. Teachers accompanying the students will provide guidance and contextual learning, helping to connect the field experience with classroom knowledge.
Such excursions, education experts say, are critical for inspiring environmental awareness among students while fostering a sense of appreciation for the region’s unique biodiversity. The program also encourages students to engage with their surroundings actively, promoting observation, research, and critical thinking.
The initiative underscores the A&N Administration’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for students from remote districts, ensuring they have access to experiential learning that extends beyond conventional classrooms. The Barren Island excursion represents a key step in providing students with meaningful exposure to the natural and ecological landscape of the islands, reinforcing the importance of conservation and environmental education.
With the return journey scheduled for early January, the Directorate of Education anticipates that students will carry back not only knowledge but also an enriched understanding of the ecological and geographical significance of Barren Island, fostering long-term interest in the natural sciences.
