NIPUN Axom : Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)
NIPUN Axom Mission - Foundational Literacy & Numeracy (FLN Considering the importance of foundational literacy and numeracy skills, the Government of Assam has also undertaken various initiatives for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission based on the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) in the name of NIPUN AXOM. The state has implemented various activities under the mission with the purpose of ensuring the Learning Outcomes of literacy and numeracy of children in grades 1 to 2.
Initiatives taken under NIPUN Axom- For publicity and for generating greater awareness among all stakeholders for smooth implementation of NIPUN AXOM MISSION (FLN MISSION), the state had launched the Mission on 16th November, 2021, by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam. Video of the message of Hon’ble Minister, Education, Govt. of Assam; Video of the message of Lovlina Borgohain and Theme Song have been developed and shared with all. NIPUN BHARAT LOGO has been displayed on the walls of the schools having classes 1 to 5. Moreover, the state has also made provision for displaying NIPUN BHARAT PLEDGE, NIPUN BHARAT LAKSHYAS from Balvatika to Grade-3 (both Literacy and Numeracy) and Developmental Goal-wise Key Competencies and Learning Outcomes (both Literacy and Numeracy).
1) For smooth implementation of the mission, the state has notified the formation of State Cell, Steering Committee at state and district levels, Project Management Unit (state, districts, and blocks), and Academic Task Force (ATF) for National Resource Group (NRG) and Academic Resource Pool at DIETs. Nodal Officers of FLN at the state and district levels have been notified.
2) The Governor of Assam notified State Resource Group, State Working Group and State Core Group at state level under Samagra Shiksha, Assam with the officials/faculties/teacher educators/CRCCs/BRPs, teachers etc. of SCERT, Samagra Shiksha, DIET, BTC, Normal School, schools, different organizations, etc. for smooth implementation of the activities viz. development of learning materials, imparting training programmes, conduct of assessment, monitoring and support etc. under NIPUN AXOM MISSION (NIPUN BHARAT) on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) from Pre-Primary to grades-3.
3) The state has developed and provided various learning materials of literacy and numeracy from grade-1 to 2 in 8 mediums-Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Hindi, English, Hmar, Manipuri and Garo by the State Resource Groups at state level in workshop mode. Language and Learning Foundation (LLF) has contributed in the development of literacy materials and Vikramshila had contributed in the development of numeracy materials. Learning materials are: Instructional Design (Literacy), Instructional Design (Numeracy), Karjyapatra (worksheet), Conversation Chart, Benjanbarna chart, Grids (with vowel symbols and without vowel symbols), Letter Cards, Barnawali charts, Barnawali cards, Sentence cards, Word cards, Big Books, Picture stories, Poem Picture, Reading Books, Work cards (Numeracy), Posters (Numeracy).
4) For the smooth implementation of the NIPUN AXOM MISSION (FLN), the state has engaged Human Resources both at the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) and the District Project Management Unit (DPMU) under the mission as per the approval of the Ministry of Education.
5) Development of Booklet: For generating greater awareness among all stakeholders for smooth implementation of NIPUN AXOM MISSION (FLN MISSION), the state has developed a booklet of 34 pages related to the mission with the support of partner organization Central Square Foundation. Fund was released to district for printing and distribution of the same to all DACG and BACG members, District and Block Mission Office, DIETs, BTCs, Normal Schools and other Teacher Education Institutions of the state.
Initiatives taken in 2025-26
Training of Key Resource Person
Capacity building of Key Resource Persons: The State conducted training for Key Resource Persons (KRPs) at state level on the implementation of NIPUN Axom on foundational literacy and numeracy as follows:
● A 3-day residential state-level training for 136 Key Resource Persons (KRPs) from 13–15 October 2025 at Assam Royal Global University.
KRPs were from State Resource Groups, faculties/lecturers of DIETs, Instructors of BTC and Normal Schools, Expert teachers, CRCCs and BRPs. The experts of SCERT, State Resource Group Members, Vikramshila, Central Square Foundation, and Pratham Education Foundation oriented the Key Resource Persons.
Training of Resource Persons (NIPUN SARATHI):
The state conducted training for NIPUN SARATHs across 33 districts of the state on the implementation of NIPUN AXOM on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy as follows.
● A 3-day non-residential district-level training of 5,055 teachers (NIPUN Sarathi), held from 24 October to 5 November 2025.
RPs were from State Resource Groups, Instructors of BTC and Normal Schools, Expert teachers, CRCCs, and BRPs. The KRPs (oriented at the state level) oriented the RPs at the district Level.
Orientation of Teachers at Cluster level: The NIPUN SARATHIs oriented the teachers at cluster Level of the schools having classes 1 to 5 (LP-1to 5, MV-1 to 8, Composite-1 to 10 and Composite-1 to 12) in the academic year 2025-2026 as follows.
● 1-day monthly cluster-level orientation of 37944 teachers from December 2025 to March 2026.
Contents/areas of the said training Programmes:
General areas: Concept on NIPUN AXOM (FLN), NEP 2020, NCF-FS, NIPUN revised Lakshya, Learning Outcomes, Vidya Pravesh,Inclusive Education, Teaching Learning Process, Classroom Management, Assessment & Remedial Teaching, MGML & MLE, Use of Library Books and Teachers as leaders.
Areas of Literacy: Key Components of Foundational Literacy, Oral Language Development, Decoding, Reading skills, writing skills, Use of Teacher’s Guide (Literacy) linking with Textbooks, Use of students’ workbook/karjyapatra (Literacy), Use of other TLMs (chart, card grids etc.) of Literacy, Integration of Technology in the classroom for enhancement of Foundational Literacy, Introduction to all FLN literacy materials (in details), Use of Planner, Preparation of Transactional Plan and the demo classroom transaction, Presentation of videos on classroom transaction (literacy) and Reading Period.
Areas of Numeracy: Foundational Numeracy, Four block approach of numeracy (oral Math Talk, Skill Teaching, Skill Practice and Math Game), Approaches of Experience, Language, Pictures and Symbols (ELPS), Use of Teacher’s Guide (Numeracy) linking with Textbooks, students’ workbook/karjyapatra (Numeracy), Pre-number Concept, Number and Number Operation, Shapes and Spatial understanding, Measurement, Pattern and Data Handling, Introduction to all FLN numeracy materials ( in details), Use of Planner, Preparation of Transactional Plan and the demo classroom transaction, Use of Numeracy Kit and Presentation of videos on classroom transaction (numeracy).
Training Calendar and Training Need Analysis (TNA): Before the preparation and conduct of the training of teachers, the state developed the Training Calendar-2025-26, incorporating the training of all components of Samagra Shiksha, and a Training Need Analysis was also conducted. Feedback from teachers was sought through a Google Form, providing some questions and seeking views/suggestions. Responses received on Training Need Analysis (TNA) from teachers to be trained. As per the needs of training, the contents of the training (2025-26) for teachers were incorporated into the training plan. The training module was developed in 8 (eight) media, viz. Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, English, Hindi, Garo, Manipuri, and Hmar.
‘Introduction of Phonics in Class-I’ (a method of teaching reading and writing English):
To improve the skill of pronunciation and reading in English (focusing on phonics) and writing English from Grade-1, the state has implemented the said intervention in selected schools of 5 districts: Darrang, Goalpara, Morigaon, Nagaon, and Nalbari. As a part of the intervention, a 3-day block-level teachers' training programme was conducted in 2025-26, covering 1,000 teachers. The Resource Persons were from Jolly Learning Ltd., UK (JLL). The training programme was monitored by the State Mission Office, DIET/BTC/Normal school faculties, BRG, DRG members, and DPOs (all)
Calligraphy and Handwriting Improvement Course Project
Good handwriting is considered an essential skill for both children and adults. The role and importance of handwriting in one’s life are significant. Handwriting contributes to reading fluency because it activates the visual perception of letters. It is also a predictor of academic success, as good handwriting has a positive impact on grades.
Considering its importance, the state has implemented the intervention, ‘Calligraphy and Handwriting Improvement Course Project’, in 3,000 selected schools across 15 districts, namely Baksa, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Cachar, Dhubri, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Karbi-Anglong, Kokrajhar, Nalbari, Sibsagar, Sonitpur, Sribhumi, Tinsukia, and Udalguri. As part of the intervention, a 3-day block-level training programme was conducted covering 6000 teachers during the academic year 2025–26 in collaboration with Mind Castle Mercantile, Dispur.
TLM Preparation:
Teaching-learning materials are the tools used by teachers in the classroom to enhance the student learning experience. They help students achieve the desired educational goals as concepts become more interesting with these tools. These materials are learning support for the students. The role of TLMs in the classroom are to make learning real, practical and fun for children. Teachers use TLMs to illustrate or reinforce a skill, fact or idea. TLM makes lessons enjoyable and interesting for students. A good TLM simplifies the learning process. An effective TLM provides and encourages participation from learners. It is important for Teachers and Teacher Educators to know how to prepare and use the low cost TLMs so that their class room interaction becomes meaningful. Considering its importance, the state provided Rs. 2000.00 (Rupees Two Thousand Only) to each school (having class-1 to 2 including Composite Schools) for preparation of TLMs. Total schools-38390. TLMs were prepared for Literacy and Numeracy of class-1 & 2 based on (i) Learning Outcomes of Literacy and Numeracy of class- 1 & 2 and (ii) New Textbooks of Language and mathematics (class-1 & 2). The objectives of the preparation of TLMs by teachers is (i) understanding the concept of Teaching-Learning Materials (TLMs), (ii) understanding the importance of TLMs in Teaching Learning Situations in early childhood education, (iii) encouraging teachers to develop/prepare/explore innovative, low-cost/no-cost TLMs aligned with the curriculum, (iv) enhancing the capacity of teachers in effectively using TLMs for Literacy and Numeracy and (v) describing the material available in the environment for preparation of simple aids for the better comprehension of difficult concepts.
TLM Exhibition:
Linking with the preparation of TLMs by teachers, the state has provisioned for the organization of TLM exhibitions in different levels, viz. cluster, block and district level. Besides the objectives stated in preparation of TLMs prepared by teachers, the exhibitions were conducted with the objectives to (i) create a competitive platform for teachers to share best practices and learn from each other, (ii) provide recognition and motivation for teachers excelling in the creation and use of TLMs, and (iii) showcase the most effective and innovative TLMs across the state, providing a platform for recognition at the highest level. The teachers of LP (class-1 to 5), MV (class-1 to 8), Composite (class-1 to 10) and Comosite schools (class-1 to 12) participated in the exhibition. The teachers exhibited the TLMs prepared by them on Literacy and Numeracy of class-1 and 2 based on Learning Outcomes of Literacy and Numeracy of Class- 1 & 2 and New Textbooks of Language and mathematics (class-1 & 2). For the smooth conduct of the exhibitions at different levels committees were formed at all levels. The teachers who prepared best TLMs were awarded with trophies/gift and certificates.
3-day state-level training programme of District programme Officer (TT &P) and Consultants, District Project Management unit (FLN):
With a view to build a capacity of District programme Officer (TT &P) and Consultants, District Project Management unit (FLN), a 3-day state level training programme was organised at the Assam Royal Global University from 8th to 10th July 2025, focussing on the areas of NEP-2020, NCF FS-2022, PGI, PARAKH-2024, New textbook, use of TLMs, assessment, lesson plan etc. The experts from Gauhati University, Vikramshila Educational Resource Society (VERS), Centre Square Foundation (CSF), SCERT, ASTEC, and educationists oriented the participants.
NIPUN Axom Mission (FLN) - Theme Song
