‘Chunauti’ opens a new chapter in edu reforms

Tribune News Service 

The government's 'Chunauti 2018'- plan to improve education in the national Capital- entered a new phase this week as the entire school machinery targets to meet Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia's '100 per cent Ability to Read' goal. 

"The government has constantly worked on improving infrastructure and teaching conditions in schools. Improving learning levels of children is also a priority for our government. The 100 per cent Ability to Read initiative will go a long way in helping children learn better and faster in schools," said the Education Minister. 

A baseline assessment done as part of government's education reforms had shown that 74 per cent students in Class 6 could not read their own textbooks. Therefore, the first step in academic improvement would be ensuring that every child can read. 

On Teachers' Day, earlier this month, Sisodia had administered a pledge to teachers that all children studying in Classes 6 to 8 would be able to read by Children's Day, 14th November. 

Chunauti 2018 - a plan to provide special support to children who were not able to read their grade appropriate textbook has already borne fruit. Many students from the "Nishtha" level have now achieved reading skills and basic mathematical abilities and will now to transitioned to their grade appropriate syllabus over the remaining academic year. Those who are still non-readers were be given special support and attention, to ensure that by 14th November, they acquire the ability to read with comprehension.

One hour a day shall be set aside for reading-based activities, and a special teacher shall be assigned for every set of 30 non-readers to provide them with extra support. The Directorate of Education wants to be in a position to monitor progress of children through such activities. Each Saturday, the teacher would be expected to conduct a review of the class' reading levels using assessment tools designed by SCERT. 

Regional Directors of Education will also hold weekly review meetings, along with the Deputy Directors of Education, Heads of Schools and Mentor Teachers, to monitor the progress of the "Every Child Can Read" campaign.

In order to engage the parents and the community with this entire effort, School Management Committees (SMCs) of some schools will also be organising 'Reading Melas' where local children will come with their parents and participate in fun reading activities in a community area. 

With this, the government hopes to improve awareness about the importance of the ability to read and encourage collective action in ensuring children are able to read and write.