Our shared mission

When we talk about foundational literacy and numeracy, we are not just discussing a target or a policy initiative, we are addressing our children's future. FLN mission under National Education Policy  2020 has been the incredible transformation journey in which all of us - teachers, parents, trainers, and administrators - come together to bring a brighter future for our children by ensuring basic literacy and numeracy skills to them, as a starting point for all education.

Our FLN experience

The past couple of years have seen a renewed focus on building foundational skills among children in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a mission that goes beyond mere numbers but creates curiosity filled, creative, and confident classrooms. We have seen schools change and adapt, turning into nurturing environments where children are encouraged to explore and learn through activity-based methods.

ECCE Teachers

As ECCE teachers, your role in this journey is invaluable. You are the first point of contact for our young learners, and your efforts to create engaging, activity based, and child centric classrooms have been exceptional. Through play based learning, interactive storytelling, and creative activities, you have laid the foundation for a love of learning among children.

You have also demonstrated great resilience and flexibility in putting FLN directives into practice. From implementing innovative teaching methods, converting adversity into opportunities, to designing low-cost teaching aids or using local resources to make learning fun, your dedication is always motivating.

The building blocks of dreams

You, as primary teachers, are builders of dreams, ensuring the foundational skills established in ECCE are fostered and built. Your patient efforts in teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic to children have made all the difference. Activity based techniques, peer learning, and individual attention have helped children overcome learning gaps and build confidence. You have been instrumental in creating inclusive classrooms where every child is valued. Whether working in the remotest corners or handling big classes, it is your commitment to the progress of each learner that has made the success story of FLN possible.

As a teacher and resource person, deeply rooted in the principles of play based learning, your creativity, engagement, and child centered approaches take center stage. The focus has always been on how to make learning an enjoyable and meaningful experience for children, and empowering my fellow educators with innovative strategies to implement activity based education.

This journey has been possible because of the support and inspiration I received from remarkable individuals. I extend heartfelt thanks to Masroor Saraf (Ex Lecturer DIET Sopore) for his invaluable guidance, Anima Ma’am from Baramulla for her encouragement, and Mohammad Iqbal Badana and Mohammad Abid Mir (Masters) for their mentorship. I am equally thankful to Muslim Bin Akil (Teacher) for his cooperation, Nazir Qureshi Ibn Shahbaz (Master) for introducing me to the literary world, and Sheikh Gulzar from SCERT for his unflinching support.

DIETs and SCERT

We cannot forget the role of the District Institutes of Education and Trainings and the Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training. You have been the backbone of this mission, ensuring that teachers receive the training, resources, and guidance necessary to implement FLN effectively.

Your capacity building programs, workshops, and developing innovative resources enabled teachers to follow child centered methodologies. Through enabling opportunities for joint learning, research, and experimenting, you allowed the FLN mission to grow sustainable and potent.

Parents: The first teachers

Parents should not be forgotten on this journey because, as parents, you are the first teacher to your child, and taking an interest in their education can be the difference. Co-working with the teachers, supporting what they are teaching at home, and promoting the right attitude to education, will all make part of the success of the FLN mission.

Celebrating achievements

Together, we've made some good progress. The net enrollment for ECCE programs has increased, classrooms are more alive, children have measurable gains in foundational skills, and schools in Jammu and Kashmir are practicing innovation like using local cultural resources to relate to learning.

Moreover, the inducting of ICT based tools and digital resources has provided a new dimension to teaching that makes learning more involving and interactive. More significantly, this success can be ascribed to the dedication and joint efforts of all teachers involved in ECCE programs, primary teachers, DIETs, and SCERT.

Challenges and the road ahead

We must, therefore, not forget the problems that lie ahead. Most children have still learning gaps, either because of socio economic reasons, lack of access to quality education, or after-effects of the pandemic. We must remain committed and innovative to bridge these gaps.

Let us take forward enhancing teacher training, building community engagement, and making full use of technology to achieve fair access to quality education. Cooperation among all parties -  teachers, parents, administrators, and policymakers - will help keep the FLN mission on track.

Our collective responsibility

This is not about one individual or one institution. Rather, this is about us working together as a community for the betterment of our children. Every step we take today will determine their tomorrow. And as such, teachers must continue to innovate and inspire; parents must continue being actively involved; and as administrators, we provide the support system and resources needed to make this work.

Let's take this journey forward with a will to move ahead in knowledge, believing that the seeds that we plant today bear fruit for our children in future.