Emphasizing Foundational Literacy Among Students Along With Pedagogy of Science

Education is undoubtedly the most powerful tool for the overall development of any nation.
The first step in this direction would be to make each and every individual literate. If an
individual is literate then they will be able to play an important role in society and understand
different public issues in a better way. NEP (2020) also emphasised on Reading, Writing and
Numeracy to be the foundation skills in the present education system and eventually in life.

At grassroot level, the situation is very alarming in India. Reports such as the Annual Status of
Education Reports (ASER) from various years have shed light on this alarming issue. Even
Draft NEP (2019) points out that about 5 crore elementary school children lack foundational
literacy and numeracy skills.

Dr. Madhu Mittal's recent research conducted (under the supervision of Dr. Indrani, Head of
Department of Teacher Education, VMLG College, Ghaziabad) in the government schools of
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, introduced an innovative approach to address this challenge.
Through the development of an 'Integrated Learning Kit (ILK),' she successfully integrated
language skills, particularly reading and writing, with the teaching of science concepts. This
novel method not only enhanced students' language proficiency but also fostered a positive
attitude towards science, ultimately boosting their academic performance in the subject.

The findings of this research underscore a crucial shift in the role of educators, suggesting that
promoting literacy should be seen as a parallel endeavour for science teachers alongside the
conventional science curriculum. By diversifying their teaching methodologies, educators can
not only enhance students' grasp of scientific concepts but also cultivate a positive attitude
towards the subject.

This research also underscores the broader significance of literacy across all subjects,
emphasizing the need for teachers across disciplines to prioritize reading and writing skills in
their pedagogical approach. As students and parents become more cognizant of the impact of
literacy on academic achievement, a collective effort towards enhancing these foundational
skills is poised to redefine the educational landscape and empower the learners of tomorrow.

Contributed By: Dr. Priyanka Verma, Assistant Professor Teacher Education Department, GIST, Ghaziabad, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5280-6212, verma84priyanka@gmail.com

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