Shri Raval Hamendra Kumar, IAS

Today there is ample data and studies to suggest that the formative years are a period of rapid brain growth. So this fast, and profound phase is meant to be methodically harnessed. Every cognitive input throughout these formative years shall pave the avenue for lifelong and successful learning. We have children in our country who may not have access to a literacy and numeracy nurturing environment. Unless their learning foundations, notably Reading Literacy and Mathematics Literacy, are robust, such youngsters can easily get lost from the system. Unfortunately in the present approach, the emphasis is placed on completing all chapters in the mandated textbooks rather than on building early literacy abilities or skills such as reading, writing, comprehension, and basic arithmetic. So it’s natural to become lost in the labyrinth of syllabus or curriculum, losing sight of developmental and cognitive goals in the early years. To address this crisis head on, the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) Mission has been launched to create an enabling environment that ensures universal acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade III. We hope that with the implementation of NIPUN Bharat in our state, focus will be laid upon increasing phonological awareness and sound discrimination, as well as visual perception and visual association, which will help students become better readers and writers. At the same time, prominence will be given on play and activity- based approaches that are meaningful for all learners, such as toy-making, art integration, sports integration, storytelling-based learning, ICT integration, group work, role plays, group project work, and so on, to lay the foundation for mathematical learning or abstract thinking. As a result, NIPUN Bharat aspires to make learning at the basic level not only integrated and inclusive, but also holistically pleasurable and compelling. We look forward to collaborating with teachers, parents, students and communities to achieve the goals of this Mission in an efficient way through a variety of innovative and effective interventions.