Spotlight on NIPUN Bharat

GS2 – Social Sector

Context:

As NEP 2020 completes five years, the NIPUN Bharat Mission (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) emerges as a key driver of foundational learning reforms across Indian classrooms.

Key Features of NIPUN Bharat:

• Dedicated Classroom Investment: Unlike traditional education budgets focused on salaries and infrastructure (~80%), NIPUN allocates funds for quality enhancement in teaching-learning practices.
• State-Level Innovations: States like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Assam have customized teacher manuals, student workbooks, and lesson plans tailored to Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) objectives.
• Decentralised Monitoring:
  • Uttar Pradesh conducted over 4 lakh spot assessments in 2023–24.
  • Odisha’s Cluster Resource Coordinators made 57,000+ school visits for teacher support and mentoring.

Impact on Learning Outcomes:

• Madhya Pradesh saw a 10-percentage point rise in oral reading fluency in 2023–24.
• ASER 2024 recorded the highest FLN improvements in 20 years, with Grade 3 literacy skills improving by 7 percentage points (2022–2024).

Challenges:

• Regional Disparities: Progressive states have surged ahead, while others are falling behind, risking inequities in learning outcomes.
• Institutional Weaknesses: Many schools lack the resources—both human and financial—to support deep systemic change.
• Lack of Political Continuity: Reform momentum is vulnerable to partisan politics, inconsistent funding, and curriculum-related controversies.
• Overburdened Teachers: Excessive administrative responsibilities limit their ability to engage in meaningful professional development.

Way Forward:

1. Extend Mission Timeline: Continue NIPUN Bharat beyond 2027 to ensure sustained impact and deepen foundational learning.
2. Broaden Scope: Expand the programme to cover the entire foundational stage—from Balvatika (age 5) to Grade 5—to build continuity in learning.
3. Institutional Strengthening:
   • Create dedicated district FLN cells for monitoring, mentoring, and data-driven decision-making.
4. Annual Learning Assessments: Institutionalise regular FLN diagnostics, such as the Foundational Learning Study (2022), to guide targeted interventions.
5. Community Involvement: Promote local engagement through “NIPUN Gram Sabhas”, home-based learning support, and milestone events to build ownership.