LLF Speaks

As India builds on the momentum created by NEP 2020 and the NIPUN Bharat Mission, an important question remains: what will it take to sustain progress in foundational literacy and numeracy and ensure lasting impact? In the finale episode of LLF Speaks Season 2, What Will Keep FLN Going? Sustaining Impact Through Government Partnerships and Systemic Reform, Shri sanjay kumar, IAS, Secretary, Depart...

What does it take to help teachers continuously improve their practice? Can one-time training programmes change what happens in classrooms, or does meaningful professional development require ongoing support, reflection, and learning? In Episode 9 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Driving Change through Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of Teachers, Subir Shukla, Principal Coordinator of IgnusERG Ed...

What does it take to measure learning outcomes in a way that improves them? How do we move beyond scores to understand what children know and can do? And in a system as complex as FLN, how do we ensure that measurement becomes a tool for improvement, not just reporting? In Episode 8 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Reading Between Numbers, Measuring Impact to achieve FLN Outcomes, Pranav Kothari, Chief Exe...

What does it take to ensure that foundational literacy and numeracy reaches every child? Why do some children continue to be left behind despite improvements in enrolment and learning outcomes? And how can education systems design foundational learning programmes that respond to the diverse realities of children across geographies, languages, and social groups? In Episode 7 of LLF Speaks Season 2,...

What does it take to ensure that foundational literacy and numeracy efforts translate into real learning gains for children at scale? How do education systems move from strong policies and well-designed programmes to meaningful change inside classrooms? And what role does the middle tier play in making that happen? In Episode 6 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Anustup Nayak, Project Director at Central Squ...

What does it mean for a child to learn in a language they truly understand? How does language shape not only comprehension, but also confidence, identity, participation, and belonging in the classroom? And what must education systems do to ensure that linguistic diversity becomes a strength rather than a barrier to learning? In Episode 5 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Padma Shri Awardee Dr Mahendra K Mis...

What does it take to move from curriculum design to meaningful classroom practice? How can structured pedagogy support teachers with clarity and consistency while still leaving space for responsiveness, reflection, and contextual adaptation? And what does it really mean to build systems that ensure every child has access to equitable learning opportunities? In Episode 4 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Dhi...

What does it take to help children not only learn numbers but also truly understand them, use them in daily life, and think mathematically with confidence? How can classroom practices move beyond procedures to build deep number sense and meaningful engagement with mathematics? In Episode 3 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Shubhra Chatterji, Director at Vikramshila Education Resource Society, joins Sunil Ku...

What does it take to build strong foundations in literacy where children not only learn to read, but read with fluency, understand meaning, develop vocabulary, and express themselves through writing? How can everyday classroom practices bring these elements together in a coherent and engaging way?  In Episode 2 of LLF Speaks Season 2, Dr Shailaja Menon, Consultant, Education Portfolio at Tata Tru...

A conversation with Benjamin Piper (Director, Global Education Program, Gates Foundation) and Dhir Jhingran (Founder and Executive Director, Language and Learning Foundation) Why Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) should be a national priority? In this opening episode of Season 2, we begin with the ‘why’. Even as school enrolment has expanded globally, millions of children complete primary s...

In our last episode of Season 1, Surendra Pratap Shah, dedicated educator and Block Education Officer from Naugarh shares his experiences from over two decades of working at the grassroots level in school education. He speaks about the evolving educational landscape in rural areas, where students from underprivileged backgrounds are not just attending school but also progressing intellectually and...

In our ninth episode, Sanjeev Srivastava, Regional Programme Manager, LLF, discusses his deep-rooted work in building inclusive, context-driven education systems in India. Drawing from decades of experience, Sanjeev reflects on how education can be reframed not as a system of control but as one of care, dialogue, and co-creation. He discusses the importance of creating safe, joyful, and democratic...

In this engaging eighth episode, Niraj Pandey, a prominent educator and advocate for inclusive education, shares his vision and experiences in advancing foundational literacy across India. Niraj discusses the significant role of community involvement in creating a sustainable learning environment, emphasising the need for educators to focus on building meaningful relationships with students. Niraj...

In our seventh podcast episode, Dr. Kunwar Bhagat Singh, a member of the State Resource Group (SRG) in Varanasi, shares his experiences and approach to supporting foundational education in Uttar Pradesh. His work focuses on creating a cooperative, non-judgmental environment for teachers by conducting school visits, observing classes, and offering constructive, positive feedback. Instead of monitor...

In our sixth podcast episode, Dhiraj Singh, Head Teacher at Prathamik Vidyalaya Hattopur and a dedicated member of the State Resource Group (SRG), Janpath Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh shares his profound insights on the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat) and its ground-level impact on transforming foundational education. Dhiraj sheds light on th...

In our fifth podcast episode, Azhar Zaheer, District Programme Manager, District Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, shares insights from his educational journey and how LLF’s structured pedagogy and teacher support are transforming classroom practices. The use of tools like Sandarshika, continuous training, and data-driven strategies are improving student learning outcomes. From traditional methods to struct...

In our fourth podcast episode, Komal Rani, Block Resource Person, Shahabad Block, District Kurukshetra, Haryana shares her valuable perspectives on how teacher training and effective teaching practices created a supportive learning community. She witnesses how through joint school visits, access to quality materials, and ongoing mentoring, LLF has built trust among teachers and strengthened the ed...

In our third podcast episode, Umesh Shukla, Principal at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh shares insights on teacher training and foundational learning. He highlights LLF’s contribution through structured teaching materials, regular training, and in-class support that help both pre-service and in-service teachers. He informs that LLF’s appro...

In our second podcast episode, Vinod Kumar, District Elementary Education Officer, Kurukshetra, Department of School Education, Government of Haryana describes his role in overseeing elementary education and implementing key education initiatives. He emphasies that foundational literacy is like the base of a building, crucial for children's future learning and growth. He shares how LLF’s approach,...

In our inaugural podcast episode, we’re joined by Dr. Parmod Kumar, State Programme Officer at the Department of School Education, Government of Haryana. Dr. Kumar discusses the implementation of the Nipun Mission in Haryana, where the state has committed to achieving the goals ahead of the central government's timeline. He explains that Haryana has given equal priority to R2 along with R1, and so...