In a small village of Bihar, a Government Primary School (GPS) teacher, Anita Devi is reimagining the classroom experience by infusing energy, creativity and purpose into foundational learning. Her work reflects the impact of Bihar’s focused efforts to strengthen Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), especially through the state’s flagship initiative, NIPUN Bihar.

With alignment to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, NIPUN Bihar aims to ensure that all children in Grades 1 to 3 achieve basic reading and numeracy skills

A Journey into Purposeful Teaching

Anita Devi believes that education must feel relevant and joyful, especially for young learners in rural settings. Many of her students come from families where children are expected to contribute to domestic or farm work, which is why engaging them meaningfully in school has been a challenge.

‘Earlier, children used to stay outside, playing or helping in the fields, But when learning became more playful and interactive, they started coming to school on their own. Now they do not want to miss a day.’

Teaching-Learning Materials That Spark Curiosity

A turning point in Anita’s classroom came with the structured use of Teaching-Learning Materials (TLMs). TLMs are activity-based tools that help simplify abstract concepts and support experiential learning. Through the training and guidance provided under NIPUN Bihar, Anita learned how to effectively use TLMs to build student interest and comprehension.

‘Our children love TLMs, they play and learn at the same time, It keeps them engaged and helps them understand better.’ she shares.

What sets Anita apart is her creativity. She custom-designs TLMs using locally available materials, ensuring that learning is rooted in students’ everyday environments. In a particularly innovative gesture, she designed a saree featuring letters and numbers, turning it into a learning tool that sparked excitement among her students.

Strengthening Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

In line with NIPUN Bihar’s focus on comprehensive skill development, Anita uses TLMs and children-friendly strategies to build both language and numeracy skills. Her approach supports oral language development, vocabulary building, writing, reading comprehension and basic Math skills. The playful and inclusive nature of her classroom ensures that children with different learning needs feel supported and included.

Creating a Supportive School Culture

Beyond the classroom, Anita also strives to build trust within the community to further strengthen children’s educational journeys. In many rural areas, schooling is not always seen as essential. Through regular communication and visible changes in children’s enthusiasm, she has gradually shifted the mindsets of community members. Anita credits the regular training sessions under NIPUN Bihar for keeping her inspired.

Anita Devi’s classroom is a testament to what is possible when passion meets support. Through the effective use of TLMs, engaging strategies and ongoing training, she has created a space where learning is joyful, inclusive and impactful.

Her story is a testament to what NIPUN Bihar stands for, that with the right tools, training and mindset, every child can build strong foundational skills and every teacher can be a catalyst for change.