Across India, especially in government schools, the learning crisis is slowly showing signs of improvement. After years of headlines about children being in school but not learning, there is now some hope. Programmes like NIPUN Bharat and strong push from the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 are helping children learn better, especially in foundational reading and maths. While challenges remain, recent evidence from states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh shows that it is possible to close learning gaps with the right planning and consistent focus.

I’m writing about this topic because the idea that government schools are beyond repair has almost become common thinking. But when we start looking at the data and field stories, a different picture comes up. The story of learning gaps narrowing is not just about policies; it’s about how thousands of teachers, education officers and state-level planners are making changes every day. It’s important to highlight this shift because it shows that fixing education at the root level is possible. And if some states can do it, others can learn and replicate the same. This is not about one-off results but a real, practical blueprint for learning improvement.

What Are Learning Gaps and Why Do They Matter?

Learning gaps refer to the difference between what children are expected to learn and what they actually know. In India, the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) has shown for years that many Class 5 children can’t read a Class 2-level text or do basic arithmetic.

This is a big problem because:

• Without strong foundational learning, children struggle in higher classes
• Many drop out or lose interest
• Skills mismatch affects employability later in life

Fixing this means starting early, especially in Classes 1 to 3, and focusing on basic reading and maths.

What’s Working: The Real Blueprint Behind Progress

In the last few years, several states have shown that targeted efforts can lead to measurable learning improvements. Here are some key strategies from their success stories:

1. Clear Goals and Simple Metrics

Programmes like NIPUN Bharat set a clear national target: every child in Classes 1 to 3 must achieve foundational literacy and numeracy by 2026-27. States like Uttar Pradesh broke this down into simple weekly goals for teachers.

2. Focus on Early Grades

Instead of spreading energy across all classes, top-performing states focused mainly on Classes 1–3. These are the years where learning gaps start. Catching problems early means fewer problems later.

3. Daily Practice and Peer Support

In Gujarat, children are made to read aloud every day. In Himachal Pradesh, peer learning circles were formed where students helped each other. This built confidence and improved fluency.

4. Regular Assessments

Frequent and simple tests helped teachers know where each child stands. No complex formats – just short checks to guide teaching.

5. Teacher Training That’s Practical

Instead of one-time workshops, states started monthly in-school training. Teachers watched demos, practised techniques, and discussed what worked.

6. Use of Local Language

Many states used the home language of children, especially in tribal or rural belts. When children understand the language of teaching, learning becomes smoother.

Examples That Prove It’s Working

• Uttar Pradesh: In a 2023 study, over 30% improvement in Class 3 reading levels was recorded after two years of NIPUN implementation
• Gujarat: In government schools, simple daily reading tasks raised foundational literacy in over 60% of children
• Himachal Pradesh: One of the few states where Class 3 children could do basic addition and subtraction without using fingers

These results may look small on paper, but in real terms, they mean lakhs of children are now reading and solving maths with confidence.

But Challenges Remain

While there is progress, there are also serious issues that can’t be ignored:

• Many schools still don’t have enough teachers
• Some states don’t prioritise foundational learning
• Monitoring is weak in remote areas
• Children from poor households need extra support at home

So while the model is working in places, the rollout needs more political will, money and public pressure to reach every corner of India.

The Way Forward

To really close education gaps, every state needs to:

• Set simple learning goals for Classes 1–3
• Train teachers regularly with on-ground support
• Track learning levels monthly, not yearly
• Involve parents and community in reading activities at home
• Celebrate small gains – they lead to big changes over time

The NEP 2020 has already laid the foundation. What we now need is to build on it consistently, not treat it like a passing phase.