Vidya Pravesh: 4.2 crore students across 8.9 lakh schools covered, but numbers now falling consistently

A total of 4.2 crore students in 8.9 lakh schools have been covered under the Vidya Pravesh programme, the education ministry informed parliament on Monday.The year of 2022-23, when it was first implemented, saw the maximum number of students covered – 1,80,13,930, following which the figure has been falling, even though the number of schools covered has increased.

The Vidya Pravesh programme was introduced as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) implementation. Until the government implements the provisions under the Early Childhood Care and Education, which mandates setting up of Balvatikas in schools by 2030, Vidya Pravesh was an immediate intervention.

Balvatikas are part of the new school structure as part of NEP which mandates five years of education before the child enters Class 1 at 6 years of age.

Also read ‘No TET’: School teachers’ jobs at risk, hundreds in Delhi to rally against mandatory eligibility tests

Dharmendra Pradhan: Vidya Pravesh for smooth transition

Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared the details of the Vidya Pravesh programme in response to a question by two MPs – Neeraj Maurya and Naba Charan Majhi – on the implementation of Nipun Bharat Mission .

“The goal of Vidya Pravesh programme is to promote school preparedness in all children coming to Grade-I from diverse backgrounds (Balvatika, Anganwadi Centers (AWCs), at home, private play schools etc.), to ensure a smooth transition of children to Grade-I. It provides play based, age and developmentally appropriate learning experiences in a joyful and stimulating environment leading to holistic development to bolster a child’s pre-literacy, pre-numeracy, cognitive and social skills,” said Pradhan.

Among the states, in the last three years, UP had a total of 51,61,232 students covered, followed by Bihar at 48,18,642.

Also read Private employees in government schools, Assam vocational teachers want 3rd-party agencies out of their jobs

For most states, the number of children covered has been decreasing over the years, except for Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha and West Bengal.

In February 2024, the government had also stated that a study was being conducted as pilot in pre- and post-mode, in six states/UTs. This evaluation also includes a learners' assessment.