Mission Samrath: To strengthen literacy and numeracy in Punjab Govt schools

Last Updated: 28 December 2024

Launch: 1 December 2023[1]
Objective: To boost concepts of literacy and numeracy[2]
Target: Students of grade 3-8 of Punjab Government schools

Baseline survey 2023(classes 3 to 8)[1:1]

Startling revelations:
-- Punjabi: only 47% read full story, 21% read only upto a paragraph, 17% can read upto a sentence, 9% can only read words, 9% barely can read words and 6% can only identify letters
-- English: only 25% students can read a full story
-- Maths: 39% students couldn't do division, 31% could not do subtraction, 18% were unable to recognise numbers from 11 to 19 and 8% were not able to recognise numbers from 1 to 9

This is despite Punjab was adjudged TOP performer among the states in National Achievement Survey (NAS), 2021

Reality Check by CM Bhagwant Mann was given to Congress in AAP's 1st Vidhan Sabha session in 2022[1:2]
-- Punjab’s top rank during Congress rule in Centre’s NAS was Fake
-- Congress Govt cannot just paint the schools from outside and claim them to be number 1
-- The catch is in the education standards

Objective & Strategy

Focus is on improving the foundational skills of grade 3-8 students in English, Mathematics, and Punjabi

  1. Assess correctly the current learning levels of each student[3]
  2. Design a tailor-made study plan using personalized activities, workbooks, and fun tasks to boost learning[3:1]
  3. Monitor and collect student learning data using techonology[4]
  4. Create a constant communication plan for implementation, creating awareness, addressing queries and recieving feedback[4:1]

Execution[3:2]

The Punjab government allocated ₹10 crore for Mission Samrath in the fiscal year 2024-25[3:3]

1. Categorisation of students

  • “Teaching at the Right Level” (TaRL) approach is used to evaluate the proficiency levels of the students and provide targeted support
  • School principals are tasked with evaluating students from Class 3 to 8
  • Students are categorised into two groups
    • Level 1 (Basic)
    • Level 2 (Advanced)

2. Trained Teachers & Special Material

  • Trained Teachers of Punjabi, Mathematics, and English for Classes 3 to 8 for the new program
  • Students are taught using specially designed educational materials, including modules and worksheets for the three subjects

3. Special Classes

  • Primary schools: Mission Samrath uses the first 3 hours of the school day, with 1 hour dedicated each to Punjabi, Mathematics, and English daily
  • Middle school classes 6 to 8 the programme is conducted during the first 3 periods

Baseline Survey 2023[1:3]

  • This was an exercise Punjab Govt undertook to find out the learning outcomes of the students
  • Baseline survey was started in July 2023
  • Earlier, it was on a physical format and then a software was created
  • Teachers were asked to prepare a database of the learning outcomes of the students and then upload it digitally
  • There are 12,880 primary, 2,670 middle, 1,740 high and 1,972 senior secondary schools in the state

References:

  1. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-govt-school-students-read-punjabi-division-9092745/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/mission-samarth-launched-to-bolster-numeracy-literary-skills-at-punjab-government-schools-101698169186234.html ↩︎

  3. https://news.abplive.com/states/punjab/mission-samarth-paving-the-way-for-a-brighter-future-for-children-1726226 ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  4. https://www.centralsquarefoundation.org/blogs/leveraging-institutional-structures-for-enhancing-implementation-fidelity-experience-from-mission-samrath ↩︎ ↩︎