Initiatives taken under NIPUN AXOM (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy):
Considering the importance of foundational literacy and numeracy skills, the Government of Assam has also undertaken various initiatives for 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 a purpose to ensure the Learning Outcomes of literacy and numeracy of children of grade-1 to 3.
- 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 class-1 to 5. Moreover, the state has also made provision for printing and display of 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).
- 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 state and district levels have been notified.
- 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.
- During the financial year, 2021-22, the state had developed 214 learning materials and in 2022-23 and 146 learning materials of literacy and numeracy from grade-1 to 3 in 7 mediums-Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Hindi, Hmar, Manipuri and Garo by the State Resource Groups and Partner Organizations at state level in workshop mode.
- 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). Moreover, the state had provided Numeracy Kits for the children of class-1 to 3.
- For successful implementation of the said mission and considering this and as per the guidelines of NIPUN BHARAT, the state has identified mentors from higher institutions, DIET faculty, faculty from BTC, Expert members of DACG and BACG, faculty from PPTC, Expert BRPs, Expert CTCCs, Expert teachers (including retired) from Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools, retired educationists etc. Minimum 5 schools including AWCs for each School Mentor have been allotted.
- The state has fixed one dedicated and competent teacher for teaching in grade-I.
- For Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of teachers and teacher educators, the state has launched an online course known as "Xohoyogi Xamal" (সহযোগী সমল) developed by Language and Learning Foundation.
- For the smooth implementation of the NIPUN AXOM MISSION (FLN), the state has engaged Human Resources both at State Project Management Unit (SPMU) and District Project Management Unit (DPMU) under the mission as per the approval of Ministry of Education. Total 34 Human Resources have joined both in SPMU and DPMU.
- The state implemented 100 Days Reading Campaign in 45144 schools to improve reading proficiency of the children (Ka-shreni to class-VIII.The campaign was implemented from January, 2022 to April, 2022. The campaign was inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister, Education, Govt. of Assam. The schools conducted activities like –story telling, recitation, reading library books, story composition by children and teachers, experiences sharing on reading books etc. Parents, SMC & SMDC members, community members were also involved. Monitoring was done by DACG and BACG members, faculties of DIETs, BTCs and normal schools.
- The state has conducted training on NIPUN AXOM (FLN) for State Resource Groups, Master Trainers, Resource Persons and Teachers
Initiatives taken under NIPUN AXOM (FLN) during the financial year-2022-23:
Formation of State Resource Groups :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.
- Total SRG members-117
- Literacy (lanugae-1) : 26, Literacy (Language-2) :18, Numeracy-30, ECCE-14, Bengali medium-05, Bodo medium -04, Hindi medium -04, Manipuri medium -04, Garo medium -04, Karbi medium -04 and Hmar medium -04.
Development of Learning Materials under NIPUN AXOM: During the financial year, 2022-23, the state had developed 146 learning materials of literacy and numeracy from grade-1 to 3 in 7 mediums-Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Hindi, Hmar, Manipuri and Garo by the State Resource Groups at state level in workshop mode. Language and Learning Foundation (LLF) have 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). The state has already taken the steps for printing and distribution of the materials.
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.
Distribution of documents/Posters etc. related to NIPUN AXOM (FLN):
As per the direction of Ministry of Education, the state had taken the initiatives to provide the relevant documents related to NIPUN AXOM, viz. Developmental Goal-wise Key Competencies and Learning Outcomes for all six levels of Foundational Stage, NIPUN BHARAT PLEDGE and display of NIPUN Logo. The basic purpose of these materials is to generate greater awareness among all stakeholders-Teacher Educators, parents, teachers, communities etc. Following steps were taken:
NIPUN BHARAT PLEDGE:
- NIPUN BHARAT PLEDGE has been prepared by NCERT in English and Hindi. SCERT, Assam has translated into Assamese.
- Districts have translated the pledge into other regional languages as per need by involving experts.
- The districts have taken initiatives to print the pledge for providing to all schools (Govt. and Provincialized schools having class-I to V including composite schools) and educational institutes.
- The Pledge has been displayed in schools and educational institutions at an appropriate place properly visible to all.
NIPUN BHARAT LAKSHYAS:
- NIPUN BHARAT LAKSHYAS from Balvatika to Grade-3 (both Literacy and Numeracy) have been prepared by NCERT in English. SCERT, Assam has translated into Assamese.
- Districts have translated the NIPUN BHARAT LAKSHYAS from Balvatika to Grade-3 (both Literacy and Numeracy) into other regional languages as per need by involving experts.
- The districts have taken initiatives to print the NIPUN BHARAT LAKSHYAS from Balvatika to Grade-3 (both Literacy and Numeracy, in poster form) for providing to all schools (Govt. and Provincialised schools having class-I to V including composite schools) and educational institutes.
- The LAKSHYAS from Balvatika to Grade-3 (both Literacy and Numeracy) are displayed in the schools at an appropriate place properly visible to all.
Developmental Goal-wise Key Competencies and Learning Outcomes:
- Developmental Goal-wise Key Competencies and Learning Outcomes (both Literacy and Numeracy) have been prepared by NCERT in English. SCERT, Assam has translated into Assamese.
- Districts have started the initiatives for translation of the Developmental Goal-wise Key Competencies and Learning Outcomes (both Literacy and Numeracy) into other regional languages as per need by involving experts.
- Developmental Goal-wise Key Competencies and Learning Outcomes (both Literacy and Numeracy) will be printed (in booklet form) by District Mission Office to provide to all schools (Govt. and Provincialised schools having class-I to V including composite schools) and educational institutes.
Display of NIPUN BHARAT Logo:
- As per the direction of Ministry of Education, the state has taken the step to paint NIPUN BHARAT LOGO.
- All Govt. and Provincialized schools having class-I to V (including composite schools) have painted the NIPUN BHARAT LOGO on the school walls which has been shared by Ministry of Education.
Exercise Book (English) for Handwriting), numeracy kits and Magnetic whiteboard:
- The state has also taken initiatives for providing Exercise Book (English) for Handwriting to the children (class-I to III) of all mediums (including composite schools) in the state under NIPUN AXOM including.
- The state has also taken the steps to provide numeracy kits and Magnetic whiteboard (with Markers and duster) and Magnetic non-toxic English alphabet.
State Level Residential Training Programme for State Resource Groups (SRGs):
For capacity building of State Resource Groups of NIPUN AXOM, State Level Residential Training Programme were conducted at state level in two phases: 5-day w.e.f. 19th to 23rd September, 2022 and 4-day w.e.f. 28th November to 1st December, 2022 at DBI, Kharghuli, Guwahati in collaboration with UNICEF, Assam and with the support of SCERT, Assam and other partner organizations. They were mainly oriented on objectives of NIPUN BHARAT, Balvatika, Vidya Pravesh, Learning Outcomes, Oral Language Development, teaching learning process, learning materials, assessment etc.
4-day Zonal level training for Master Trainers: After the capacity building training of State Resource Groups, Capacity building training programme of Master Trainers on NIPUN AXOM was held at 6 zones of different districts of the state viz. Bongaigaon, Cachar, Jorhat, Sonitpur, Nagaon and Kamrup-M covering 580 Master Trainers (w.e.f.27th to 30th December, 2022). Detailed guidelines was sent from the State Mission Office. Training module was prepared by State Resource Groups at state level in workshop mode with the resource support of SCERT, Assam.
4-day Block level training for Resource Persons: After 4-day Zonal level training for Master Trainers, the districts conducted 4-day Non-residential Block Level Training for 9218 number of Resource Persons (Target RPs: 9218). 4-day Non-residential Cluster Level Training for Teachers: After 4-day block level training for Resource Persons, the education block conducted 4-day Non-residential Cluster Level Training for 97098 number teachers on NIPUN AXOM.
Celebration of NIPUN AXOM DIVAS (FLN DAY):
FLN Day (NIPUN AXOM Day) was celebrated on 27th March, 2023 with a view to generating greater awareness among all stakeholders for successful implementation of NIPUN AXOM MISSION (FLN MISSION) in the state. The FLN Day was celebrated at school and district levels. In view of this, the state conducted a joint review meeting at district level by District Mission Coordinator and Principals of DIET, BTC and Normal Schools. Faculties/Graduate Instructors of DIETs, BTCs, Normal Schools; DACG members, BACG members and the other functionaries of district, institutions and blocks participated in the programme.
Accordingly, on the same day FLN focused Parents Teachers Meeting was held at school involving all teachers of the schools having class-1 to 5, SMCs/SMDCs and Community members. The agenda of the meeting was sent from the State Mission Office. The activities and the discussion points were -NIPUN BHARAT Pledge taking; receipt, distribution and use of learning materials provided so far under the mission; implementation of Bidya Pravesh in schools, story-telling/singing rhymes by students/ Parents/Guardian/Community member; activities on Oral reading Fluency for Fun with volunteering parents etc.
Total participants in the programme: Total schools conducted the programme: 38482, Total teachers participated: 169246, Total students participated: 1639522, Total SMC/SMDC members participated: 209059, Total Parents/Guardians participated: 490578 and others participants: 115337