Concerned over the low learning level of students from Class III to IX in Delhi Government schools, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who also holds education portfolio on Wednesday launched ‘Mission Buniyaad’ campaign to ensure the basics learning in reading, writing and basic mathematics in next three months starting from academic year 2018-19.
"For this campaign, special efforts are being made by the Government to reach out to the parents through FM ads, mega Parent Teachers meeting and letter to the parents to convince them to stay back in Delhi for the entire duration of the campaign and send their child to school. During the campaign, every day two-three hours of focussed activities will be conducted by the school teachers with all those students of Classes III to IX who cannot read their textbooks or solve basic numerical to strengthen their reading, writing and maths skills. The campaign will continue during May and June as well" an official statement issued by the Delhi Government stated.
"With the goal that all children in Classes III to IX of the schools run by Delhi Government, Municipal Corporations, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Cantonment board should be able to perform basics, the government has launched this programme," it stated.
Interacting with Teachers and DoE officials at Thyagraj Stadium, Sisodia highlighted the fact that inability of children to read and write fluently is basically a reflection on the failure of the school system.
"This situation puts children in a seriously disadvantaged situation to acquire further learning. And the unfortunate part is that the school system instead of owning its own failure projects it on children and their parents as if it is they who are at total fault," said Sisodia.
The Deputy Chief Minister urged teachers and officials to reach out to children and their parents through simple and easy to understand messages and ensure that in next three months all children should be able to read, write and do basic maths fluently so that they are on the right track to attain grade appropriate learning outcomes.
The event was organised by the SCERT Delhi and was attended by the senior officials of the Directorate of Education and local bodies apart from the heads of Sarvodaya schools of Delhi Government, Vice principals, Teacher Development Coordinators and Mentor Teachers.
The planning for the campaign had started in mid-February when Sisodia convened the meeting of the senior officials of the Delhi Government and local bodies to discuss the National Achievement Survey 2017 data released by NCERT.