India launches NIPUN Bharat 2.0 for early education

India is making significant changes to its education system with the NIPUN Bharat Mission. This initiative focuses on improving basic literacy and numeracy skills for children, especially in government schools. The goal is for every child to be able to read, write, and do basic math by Grade 3. The need for such a mission became clear as many students were struggling with these fundamental skills. Post-Covid, estimates showed that many children around the world, including in India, were unable to read simple texts. The NIPUN Bharat Mission aims to address this issue by providing children with engaging learning experiences. The mission supports teachers with clear guidelines and innovative teaching methods. This approach encourages exploration and curiosity in the classroom, moving away from traditional rote learning. By introducing more interactive and play-based strategies, children are being encouraged to learn from their surroundings and experiences. Early signs of success are already showing. Recent surveys indicate improvements in literacy and numeracy for Grade 3 students in government schools, despite setbacks from the pandemic. For example, the percentage of students able to read Grade 2 texts increased from 17% in 2014 to 23% in 2024. To build on these improvements, NIPUN Bharat is set to extend through a new phase called NIPUN Bharat 2.0, lasting until 2032. This extension will focus on solidifying the progress made and ensuring all children receive quality education. It emphasizes the need for collaboration among government, educators, and communities to ensure every child succeeds.