Bengaluru: The Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) has introduced a new action plan for schools across Karnataka to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) among students.
The initiative focuses on improving students’ basic reading, language and mathematical skills through common learning outcomes, regular assessment and targeted remedial teaching.
Under the new plan, common learning outcomes have been prescribed for the first language, second language and mathematics for students from Classes 4 to 10.
Schools have been directed to prepare class-wise question papers based on these learning outcomes, assess students’ performance and take corrective measures wherever gaps are identified.
The department has instructed schools to treat FLN achievement as a priority at every level, from individual schools to the district administration.
Teachers given key role in FLN improvement
At the school level, head teachers have been assigned responsibility for ensuring effective implementation of the action plan.
They have been asked to brief teachers about the initiative and prepare a school-level action plan outlining the measures to be implemented throughout the academic year.
As part of remedial teaching, teachers have been instructed to develop suitable activities corresponding to each learning outcome.
Teachers will also have to identify the individual learning level of every student in terms of foundational literacy and numeracy.
Based on the assessment, students are to be engaged in activities suited to their specific learning requirements.
The approach is intended to help schools identify learning gaps at the individual level rather than relying only on overall class performance.
Officials to monitor school-level progress
DSERT has also assigned responsibilities to officials at the cluster, taluk and district levels to monitor the progress of the FLN initiative.
District officials have been directed to identify taluks that are lagging in FLN achievement.
Special action plans will then be prepared for these areas, with implementation officials required to regularly visit schools and provide guidance to teachers and school authorities.
The monitoring mechanism is intended to ensure that schools requiring additional support receive timely intervention.
Officials will review FLN progress from the school level through the district level and submit reports to DSERT.
Schools achieving full proficiency to receive recognition
As part of the initiative, schools that achieve 100% FLN proficiency are to be identified at the district level.
Such institutions will be declared ‘FLN Achieved Schools’ and issued certificates recognising their achievement.
The department has also planned a state-level monitoring mechanism. FLN nodal officers will be appointed at the State level to oversee the implementation of the action plan across Karnataka.
The new framework places emphasis on continuous assessment, remedial teaching and monitoring rather than limiting FLN evaluation to a single examination.
Through common learning outcomes for language and mathematics, the department aims to provide schools with a structured framework for identifying students’ learning levels and addressing gaps during the academic year.
The involvement of head teachers, teachers and education officials at multiple administrative levels is expected to provide a coordinated approach to improving foundational learning outcomes across Karnataka’s schools.