Mission Buniyad

With the aim of improving the learning skills of school children of class 3rd to 9th in all MCD schools, the Delhi government has launched a three-month mission - Buniyad campaign in April 2018. The Delhi government is working with MCDs and other local bodies for design and execution of this campaign. This mission was announced by the Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister, Shri Manish Sisodia. It is designed on the lines of Delhi Government’s chunauti scheme. While announcing the program, Shri Sisodia said that a crisis in learning in the MCD schools showed up in the national achievement survey. This survey tells that close to half of the children in these schools are not able to read their grade level textbooks. Delhi government has also introduced various programs in the secondary schools which have improved the reading ability by about 20%. Children studying in primary schools find it difficult to cope up with the advanced levels of study. These efforts are made by the Delhi government in the interest of the children of Dekhi. Shri Sisodia showed his happiness as all the municipal bodies are on board.

In this mission, the municipal bodies of Delhi will raise a cadre of teachers driving the program. One teacher will be appointed for every five children and these teachers will be trained on enhancing the readability of children. In MCD schools, the entire mission will run from class 3rd to 9th. Children will undergo a reading level assessment on the basis of which they will be enrolled in specialized mission buniyad classes. Shri Sisodia also requested parents to cancel their vacation trips and support Delhi government and MCDs in this mission.

The inability of children to read and write properly reflects the failure of the entire school system. The education system focuses on finishing the syllabus instead of concentrating on whether the student is being able to understand what is being taught. Under this mission, all children will be able to read, write and do basic Maths in three months. Every day, two to three hours will be focussed on activities which will be conducted by school teachers. These activities will strengthen their reading, writing and math skill.

Every child no matter which caste or financial condition deserves the opportunity to learn. They must realize the importance of education in their earliest ages. Some children resist these efforts and insist on doing things their way. But a positive attitude about reading and curiosity about learning new things instills similar beliefs in children. Making them realize that education is the ticket to fulfilling their dreams and having a productive life. Computers must also be introduced to children. Let them play grade-level games which provide fun, entertainment and knowledge as well. 

Millions of children still lack the most basic education in the world including literacy, mathematical understanding, and general life skills. Basic education is so critical for children for economic, political stability. It even contributes to improving health human rights, and gender equity. This mission ensures that all the children are empowered with basic writing, reading, and numeracy skills. The approach of this mission makes the curriculum more relevant to the needs of all the students. Various activities prepare children to live their lives effectively in a society like critical thinking, decision making, social skills, and civic participation. 

Teachers are also getting proper training which ensures that the students leave their classes with the basic skills that are essential. In this mission, the children are divided into two groups - Pratibha and Nistha. In Pratibha, those children are included who could read and write as pr their grade. In Nistha, those children are included who are could not read and write. 

At the end of this mission, an analysis is done which showed that 48.7% of the total students could read the age-appropriate text. The number stood at 61% in class 7th and 67.9% in class 8th. As per the circular, the number of topics to be covered have been significantly reduced for the first term till the mid-term in 2018. For Nistha groups, the assessment papers will comprise limited topics and more emphasis will be on assessing reading, understanding, and ability to write a response.

The outcome report released by Delhi government claims that the learning ability of government school students has improved significantly over the past years with 63% of children in class 3rd to 9th is now capable to read their textbooks. Shri Sisodia released the outcome of this mission and also announced its extension by one month. Before the campaign, 48% of the students could read their textbook whereas now the percentage has increased up to 63%. The ability to solve numerical problems and division has gone up from 54% to 71%. 

Target groups were formed in the schools and the total number of children were 4.21 lakh. Out of these, 1.18 lakh children learned to read their textbooks and approximately 1.4 lakh children learned to solve division problems of Maths. A reading level assessment is conducted by the schools based on which it will be enrolled in specialized Mission Buniyad classes in their respective schools. 

In terms of human development, the importance of education can’t be overstated. The early years of students are the foundation of his or her future development. It provides a strong base for lifelong learning and learning abilities including social development as well. 

By: Preeti Narula