Foundational Learning Progress in India
The recent Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) indicates positive trends in foundational learning outcomes, particularly in Grade III across Indian states. This improvement is attributed to the Indian government's concerted efforts to prioritize quality education.
National Education Policy (NEP) and NIPUN Bharat Mission
- NEP Emphasis:
- The NEP has set the groundwork by emphasizing foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN).
- NIPUN Bharat Mission:
- Launched in 2021 to enhance reading, numeracy, and comprehension among young learners.
- Allocates Rs 500 per child for teaching-learning materials (TLM).
- Provides up to Rs 5,000 for teacher capacity-building workshops.
- Offers Rs 10-20 lakh per state for comprehensive student assessments.
- Funds Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore for Project Management Units at state and district levels.
Impact on Education
The mission has transformed classrooms, as seen in anecdotes from teachers like Ravi Sharma in UP and students like Shragatika Ghosh in Odisha. Data supports these accounts:
- In UP, the ability of Grade III students to read Grade II-level texts rose from 24% to 34% from 2022 to 2024.
- Subtraction problem-solving improved from 29% to 41% in the same period.
- Odisha's use of innovative workbooks also led to educational gains.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite advancements, foundational learning remains fragile. Many students, especially from marginalized communities, face challenges in transitioning to advanced concepts.
- Systemic change requires time; the Prime Minister suggests a timeline extension for NIPUN Bharat to 2030.
- NIPUN 2.0 should focus on Grades III–V and Early Childhood Education (ECE) to bridge foundational skills and higher-order learning.
Conclusion
Extending NIPUN Bharat's timeline is crucial for sustaining and expanding educational gains. The opportunity is present for India to set a global benchmark in foundational learning. The time to act is now, with a commitment to NIPUN 2.0.