Mukhtar Ahmad Qureshi
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) mission has been a game changer for the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in early grades. Being a teacher committed to the introduction of FLN, I can personally attest to its impact on retention, class attendance, and student performance. Introduction of FLN comes at a time when the National Education Policy 2020 has rightly stressed the significance of early childhood education and foundational learning as key foundation stones for lifelong learning. The National Curriculum Framework 2023 also gives systematic direction on how to introduce FLN at the school level in all parts of India, including our state.
The need for FLN in J&K
Prior to FLN interventions, early grade retention was a major issue in Jammu and Kashmir. Large numbers of children lacked basic literacy and numeracy skills, which caused disengagement, low confidence, and ultimately led to dropout rates. As a teacher and trainer with DIET Sopore, I have seen that students in rural and far-flung locations were facing even more difficulties because they had less exposure to quality early childhood education. The application of FLN through programs like Vidya Pravesh and NIPUN Bharat has played a crucial role in solving these problems.
FLN and its effect on early grade retention
1. Improved learning outcomes
FLN makes sure children establish solid foundation skills in mathematics and language in their primary years. When the students understand simple concepts at an early stage, they are in better position to continue their schooling without repeating years. I have witnessed great reforms in my institution, Govt. Girls Middle School Boniyar, where students now read and understand improved, and their promotion to later classes becomes easier.
2. Activity based and play way learning
One of the defining features of FLN is moving away from learning by rote to activity oriented approaches. Compliant with the National Curriculum Framework 2023, FLN encourages the use of narration, games, role-playing, and participatory exercises to bring about learning. In my teachers’ training workshops, I emphasized play based learning, which has been successfully brought into practice at our kindergarten and early primary years. Children are now more active, and their learning process is fun, decreasing the rate of repetition of grade.
3. Early childhood care and education implementation
NEP 2020 emphasizes the part played by Early Childhood Care and Education to prepare children to go to school. With kindergarten classes in place at Govt. Girls Middle School Boniyar since we opened them, we noticed a huge drop in transition between preschool and class one. ECCE has placed a solid ground, facilitating learning for children so that they adjust well to academic pressures of regular schooling.
4. Decline in dropout rates
When kids fall behind in their formative years, they tend to lose interest in learning, and this results in dropouts. FLN interventions, however, make sure that kids do not fall behind, and hence the dropout rate decreases. I myself have dealt with parents who used to worry initially that their children would fail or have to repeat classes. Thanks to FLN interventions, they now witness their children moving ahead steadily and confidently.
5. Teacher training and capacity building
The success of FLN is greatly dependent on teacher readiness. As a resource person, I have conducted training to more than 150 teachers in FLN approaches. Most teachers initially struggled in the transition process, but with ongoing capacity building workshops, they accommodated well. Teachers now employ child focused, interactive approaches that help every child learn effectively, minimizing retention problems.
Challenges and the way forward
Despite the positive impact, FLN implementation has faced challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, resistance to change, and the need for more training sessions for teachers in remote areas. However, with continuous efforts and government support, we can overcome these challenges.
The FLN mission, guided by NEP 2020, NCF 2023, and ECCE principles, has significantly impacted early grade retention in Jammu and Kashmir. As a part of this change who is engaged actively, I can assure you that FLN is not only an education reform but also a movement toward providing a better future for our kids. If we keep on investing in foundational learning, we can build an education system in which every child develops with confidence, lowering rates of retention and providing a more literate and skilled generation.
Let all of us cooperate educators, parents, and policy makers to make FLN even stronger and early grade learning a happy and successful experience for each and every child in Jammu and Kashmir.
(The author is a teacher. He hails from Boniyar, Baramulla and can be reached at [email protected])
