India Partnership for Early Learning (IPEL)

Improving Foundational Learning service delivery in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and at Primary Schools

India Partnership for Early Learning (IPEL) is a USAID supported five-year project that aims to transform foundational learning delivery in selected states (Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and to a limited extend, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi). The project is a consortium of four organizations led by CARE/CARE India, Central Square Foundation, Room to Read India Trust, and KPMG India.

Launched in September 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the project in partnership with Department of school education reviews, plans and aims to transform foundational learning (FL) strategies and practices (as mandated by NIPUN BHARAT Mission). A dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) on Foundational Learning and Numeracy (FLN), in intervention states addresses Capacity building of Academic Institutions/Teachers, FLN curriculum and Content, Assessment and Reporting, Parental Engagement both for primary schools and early childhood education. Over 5 years, the aim is to support states in bringing change in all primary schools (181,528 public primary schools), and impacting over 66.5 million public school children, aged 3-8) through state partnership and system.

The project aims to ensure children (by grade 2/3) acquire

Reading with comprehension (in any vernacular language) and fluency
Ability to solve two- digit subtraction
Ability to handle and express emotions

Why Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)?

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) is the fundamental building block in a child’s educational journey. It covers children (both boys and girls) from Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to early grades (grade 1 and 2/3), aiming towards holistic development and learning.

Ministry of Education, GoI launched a national mission to ensure learning at foundational stage through NIPUN BHARAT — National Initiative for Proficiency in reading with Understanding and Numeracy. The mission aims to ensure that every child achieves Foundational Literacy and Numeracy by grade 3 by 2026-27.

Key Features

Foundational learning is a key area of investment as identified by the Government of India (GoI). The India Partnership for Early Learning (IPEL) project aims to support and improve foundational learning delivery system and mechanism to bring about the change in the learning of children. To address this gap, the project has partnered with Department of Education (DoE) in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Municipal Corporation of Delhi and support their efforts towards Foundational Literacy and Numeracy. The project is adopting a multi-faceted approach that is focused on :

Better reporting system
Teacher training
Planning and monitoring
Socio-emotional and inclusive learning
Laying emphasis on curriculum and content design
Adopting gender equal practices

137

Districts

66.5 Million

School children (age 3-8)

181,528

Government
Primary Schools

330,519

Anganwadi centres

Expected Results

Develop instructional learning materials and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) standards and build capacity of teachers and students to use them.
Empower academic institutions to provide inclusive foundational learning contents and skills-based training.
Increase states’ capacity for planning.
Assist parents, caregivers, School Management Committees (SMC), and local government to better understand the importance of foundational learning, giving them access quality materials to help children learn and ensure resource mobilization and accountability across SMCs and local governments.

States Covered

Bihar

Jharkhand

Uttar Pradesh

Delhi

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India Partnership for Early Learning (IPEL)

Improving Foundational Learning service delivery in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and at Primary Schools

Why Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)?

Intervention Approach