Successful Conclusion of Capacity Building Programme on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Port Blair:  The Regional Institute of Education, NCERT, Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the State Institute of Education (SIE) Port Blair, successfully concluded a five-day Capacity Building Programme for Key Resource Persons (KRPs) of Andaman & Nicobar Islands on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) at GSS Junglighat.

The primary objectives of the programme were to enhance the capabilities of key resource persons in effectively implementing Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in the unique context of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Professor Prakash Chandra Agarwal, Principal of the Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar, delivered the valedictory address, encouraging all KRPs to apply the insights gained during the orientation program for the effective implementation of foundational learning in the islands.

Prof. Agarwal emphasized the role of teachers with a positive outlook in fostering collaboration with parents and community members, crucial for the quality improvement of foundational learning during the early years of education. He highlighted that the transformative recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, as reflected in NIPUN Bharat and the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (2022), will be effectively implemented through collaboration, linkage, and the support of all stakeholders.

Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Head of the Department of Education at RIE, NCERT, Bhubaneswar, and the Programme Coordinator, provided an overview of the five-day programme. The sessions covered diverse topics, including NIPUN Bharat, Early Literacy and Numeracy Toy-Based Pedagogy, National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022, Jaduipitara, Holistic Report Card, Engaging Families, Early Identification and Interventions, Parents and Communities in the Implementation of FLN Activities, Jadui Pitara, Vidya Pravesh, Research, Monitoring, Supervision, and Evaluation for effective implementation of FLN.

Shri M. Nehru, Deputy Director of Science and Principal of DIET, Port Blair, graced the occasion and addressed the participants, urging them to work systematically for the quality improvement of foundational literacy and numeracy.

Thirty-nine Primary School Teachers (PSTs) from the Union Territory attended the programme, developing action plans for the effective implementation of FLN in their respective zones. Two KRPs expressed their reflections, appreciating the innovative strategies employed by the experts and resource persons during the program. They expressed confidence in organizing similar initiatives in their zones.

The resource persons included Prof. P.C. Agarwal, Shri R.K. Singh, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Shri Binay Pattnaik, Dr. Prachi Ghildyal, Dr. Purna Chandra Brahma, Prof. I.P. Gowramma, Dr. Bency Joy, Mrs. Geetha Navin Bhatt, and other members of SIE. Shri Jai Subramanian served as the local coordinator for the programme.