In ancient times, the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka inscribed edicts across his empire, urging administrators to prioritise the welfare and education of his people. One of these, the Minor Rock Edict I, spoke of “Dhamma,” not just as spiritual guidance but as an ethical duty of governance to nurture the potential of every citizen. Ashoka understood that true progress lies in enlightenment—governance rooted in compassion, foresight, and meticulous care.
Centuries later, the principles of such governance echo in the quiet determination of Reva Panwar, a teacher from Kharsaniya village in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh. In her school, Reva has transformed ordinary walls and trees into colorful learning spaces filled with math puzzles and solutions. Her efforts have turned the schoolyard into an interactive classroom, inspiring her students to move beyond rote memorization and embrace meaningful learning. Her efforts are a modern-day edict, written not in stone but in the imaginations of her students.
Reva’s story is one of many, displaying the result of purposeful governance which finds its broader expression in Madhya Pradesh’s flagship FLN initiative, Mission Ankur. Launched in 2022, it embodies how thoughtful leadership, teacher empowerment and decentralised governance can create an ecosystem for lasting educational change.
Since the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) in 2020, foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) has become a national priority. The NIPUN Bharat Mission reinforced this by setting a bold goal: to ensure every child achieves foundational learning by Grade 3 by 2026-27. Madhya Pradesh embraced this mission with zeal, translating policy into impactful classroom practices and the results speak for themselves.
In mid-2024, a state-wide assessment highlighted the remarkable strides made by students in Madhya Pradesh under the programme. Grade 3 students, with the advantage of an additional year of NIPUN programming, showed impressive progress: over 40% could write at least half the words and sentences presented to them, and read more than 36 words per minute, demonstrating strong oral reading fluency. Furthermore, 60% of these students solved more than half the Maths problems, while over 52% successfully performed simple addition.
Grade 2 students also displayed notable improvement. More than 30% could write at least half the words and sentences presented and read over 26 words per minute. Additionally, 56% of Grade 2 students identified over half of the three-digit numbers, and 34% demonstrated proficiency in simple addition. These results reflect the tangible impact of the programme’s structured and focused approach to foundational learning.
Even more encouraging was the sharp reduction in the number of zero scorers among Grade 2 students across multiple competencies between 2022 and 2024, signifying that far fewer children struggled to respond to basic questions. The percentage of Grade 2 students able to read words nearly doubled, from 18% in 2022 to over 34% in 2024. Proficiency in two-digit addition surged from 25% to an impressive 75%, reflecting tangible improvements in foundational numeracy.
While various factors may have contributed to these extraordinary outcomes, the role of structural and systemic reforms by the state government in adopting a structured pedagogy approach is undeniable. These reforms have provided a solid foundation for progress, proving that when governance meets purposeful action, transformative change becomes possible.
The first step in transforming education was the creation of well-designed teaching and learning materials that empowered both students and teachers. The state developed a comprehensive Learning Outcomes Framework to guide the design of teacher guides and student workbooks. These resources were seamlessly aligned with existing textbooks and incorporated the objectives of the NIPUN mission, a school readiness curriculum, and school-based assessments.
Recognising the challenges faced by teachers, the state also tackled a pressing issue: the time-consuming task of creating lesson plans. In 2022, only 10% of teachers managed to develop their own plans, often hindered by time constraints and scattered resources. To address this, the state introduced ready-made daily lesson plans, breaking down complex concepts into manageable steps and aligning them with structured teaching schedules. These plans became a practical and powerful tool, enabling teachers to focus on teaching rather than preparation.
For teachers, it was like switching on headlights on a foggy road—what was once unclear now illuminated step by step, guiding them and their students toward a brighter path of learning.
However, tools alone weren’t enough—teachers also needed the skills to use them effectively. To bridge this gap, Madhya Pradesh implemented extensive in-person training programmes on an unprecedented scale. The initiative employed a single-level cascade model, minimising information loss by ensuring that master trainers across 322 blocks directly trained the state’s 1.78 lakh teachers in their respective regions.
To sustain this momentum, a dedicated cadre of mentors provided ongoing support. These mentors regularly observed classroom practices, offered constructive feedback, and tracked progress using a mobile app. This system created a dynamic feedback loop, enabling teachers to adapt and refine their methods in real time.
It was akin to using a GPS for teaching—constantly recalibrating the route to ensure the destination of better learning outcomes was always within reach.
Regular student assessments became a cornerstone of the programme, with two key components: school-based and system-based assessments.
School-based assessments, designed by teachers, helped identify each child’s strengths and areas needing improvement. These were seamlessly integrated into daily teaching materials and schedules. On the other hand, system-based assessments, including spot assessments conducted by mentors, provided regular state-wide insights into student learning outcomes.
The state set clear targets and aligned them with these assessments to track progress on every aspect of foundational learning. Far from being mere tools, these assessments acted as a compass, keeping everyone focused on the shared goal of improving learning outcomes for every child.
These assessments also helped the state in improving the monitoring and governance of the education system. Actionable insights were fostered through institutionalising platforms for meaningful engagement. The state set up a system of monthly reviews focusing specifically on FLN, involving senior leadership to ensure a focussed and effective review process.
In the second phase of the Mission, the state introduced vital enablers at a district level through the MP NIPUN Professionals programme. These young professionals, who were placed under the CEO Zila Panchayat’s office, addressed field-level government system limitations by focusing on enhancing implementation efficiency, improving enabling conditions, and monitoring data for progress checks. It was like adding a team of navigators, ensuring the ship stayed on course for smooth sailing ahead.
With well designed teaching learning materials, teacher training, regular assessments, and decentralised governance through NIPUN Professionals, Madhya Pradesh has built a roadmap for transformative change. Teachers, equipped with the right tools and skills, are no longer lone travelers—they are leaders of an educational journey guided by collective purpose.
Achieving such progress in a system that serves 23 lakh students, employs 1,78,000 teachers, and operates across 80,000 schools is no small feat. Madhya Pradesh’s Rajya Shiksha Kendra has laid a strong foundation by taking a decisive first step. While challenges remain, the state government has crafted a clear and actionable roadmap to achieve its ambitious targets, setting a course for sustained improvement.
While Ashoka’s edicts sought to guide the soul of the nation, envisioning good governance as a path to enlightenment; today, Madhya Pradesh is showing that the same path begins with empowered learners who have the foundational skills to reach their full potential. Through Mission Ankur, Madhya Pradesh has proven that the principles of compassion, foresight, and meticulous care can still transform lives—not on rock faces, but in the hearts and futures of millions.
