The literacy challenge is a global problem. Stretching from the United States to India, everywhere in between lies children who are unable to read and write quickly, as per their grade which leads to the problem. There are a lot of cases which host students missing out on opportunities to participate fully in society and the workforce. The Indian government time and again has not left any stone unturned to expand the reach of education among all the sectors. In a major move, to improve the learning levels, the central government has introduced Mission Buniyaad scheme. Popular group Nishta, part of the scheme, comprises of students who cannot read or write class appropriate text. According to a recent notification, such students will have different exams and syllabus. Balbharati Introduces New Diksha App to Encourage Digital Learning. 

The Delhi Government in 2016, introduced Chunauti 2018 after an assessment revealed that 74 per cent of students in class 6 could not read a class 2 textbook. Under the scheme, students were divided into two groups—Pratibha, for those who could read and write according to their grades and Nishta, for those who could not. In April 2018, Chunauti was extended as Mission Buniyaad that included children from 3rd to 8th standards and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Schools. The circular dated August 2, the Directorate of Education notified the same for students of class VI-VIII. It reads, “For the first term - till the mid-term exam in September 2018 - the number of topics to be covered have been significantly reduced.”

Although it appears to be quite beneficial for the students under this scheme, some teachers are unsure if the method could turn successful. An English teacher was quoted in an Indian Express report as saying, “We have already divided them into different groups… giving them different sets of papers could psychologically affect the child.” As per the notice, the assessment paper for students particularly those under Nishta, during their midterm will have questions from limited topics.

The assessment will be based on reading, understanding and the ability to write a response. Besides, the principals have been directed that no student from any group should be moved to Pratibha as the “students in Pratibha have already covered significant portion of the syllabus.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 13, 2018 08:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).