Special Handbook In UP Schools: How Will It Transform Early Stage English Teaching?

A handbook has been developed by the Prayagraj-based English Language Teaching Institute (ELTI), functioning under the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), UP, to teach English texts at the foundational stage classes in government-run pre-primary and primary schools of Uttar Pradesh.

Officials of the state basic education department have indicated that the handbook will be made available to teachers from the next academic session of 2024-25.

Special Handbook In UP Schools

According to the new national education policy (NEP)-2020, the foundational stage, which includes the first five years of schooling - the three years of pre-primary stage or the Bal Vatika and classes 1 and 2, is emphasized by the officials. Principal of Prayagraj-based ELTI-Prayagraj Skand Shukla confirmed the development, highlighting the importance of the handbook due to the differences between the new and previous textbooks, reported Hindudstan Times.

The new books feature attractive illustrations to facilitate the development of English-speaking skills in children, focusing primarily on oral skills such as listening and speaking, followed by reading and writing skills. Various units and chapters include sections like 'let us sing', 'let us speak', 'let us read', 'let us do', 'let us write', etc., aimed at developing specific skills.

The handbook addresses the handling of pre-primary English study material in 'Pahal' briefly and the content of class 1 and 2 textbooks extensively and intensively. It provides detailed guidance for each page and utilizes bullet points to facilitate teachers without overwhelming them with directions and suggestions. Additionally, it offers bridge course material for 8-weeks teaching at the class 1 level to ensure a smooth transition for children from a Hindi background.

The handbook was developed through a workshop mode involving expert teachers and Dr. Ganga Mahto from the Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal, who was part of the book writing team at NCERT. The state government aims to convert around 1.25 lakh government-run primary schools into pre-primary schools, targeting 75,000 anganwadis in the first phase for this purpose.

Pre-primary schools will admit children aged 3 years, while those aged 5 years and above will be enrolled in class 1 of government-run primary schools, starting from the 2024-25 session. Customized NCERT textbooks will be introduced for students of classes 1 and 2, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Additionally, the directorate of child development and nutrition (Bal Vikas Seva aur Pushtahar) has developed an activity book 'Pahal' for the pre-primary classes, as per officials.