Kulgam, July 25: In a pioneering step to strengthen foundational learning and address widening academic disparities, the District Administration Kulgam, in collaboration with Pratham Foundation and the School Education Department, has launched an innovative education initiative titled “Classes of Joy.”
The programme aims to cover all 458-government primary and middle schools in the district, focusing on bridging learning gaps in literacy and numeracy among students from Classes 3 to 8.Speaking at the launch, Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan, said the initiative is being implemented using the globally recognised Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach.
“All teachers are being trained and equipped to assess students’ actual learning levels, not just their age or grade. This ensures targeted instruction that truly benefits the learner,” he said.A total of 2,300 teachers will undergo capacity building, with 460 educators already trained in the first phase. The approach involves workshops, sharing of instructional material, and extensive school-level support to enable joyful, stress-free classrooms that foster active learning.DC Kulgam cited worrying statistics from the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) to underscore the urgency of the intervention–over 50 percent of students in classes 3, 4 and 8 cannot read a class 2-level text.Nearly 40 percent in classes 3 to 5 are unable to perform basic subtraction.Around 55 percent of students in Classes 5 to 8 struggle with two-digit division.“These figures highlight the pressing need to move beyond grade-level teaching and focus on real learning levels. Through Classes of Joy, we aim to shift the focus from rote learning to meaningful engagement,” the DC added.
The TaRL approach begins with a simple baseline assessment of students’ reading and maths skills. Based on their performance, students are grouped accordingly and engaged through activity-based learning, peer interaction, and daily practice. The first round of activities will continue for 100 days, after which students will be reassessed. A second cycle of support will follow for those still in need.DC Khan acknowledged the pivotal role of Pratham Foundation in supporting this intervention. “Pratham has a proven track record across multiple states in addressing learning deficits. Their support spans teacher training, material development and monitoring,” he said. The programme also aims to transform the classroom experience by making learning more joyful, inclusive and effective, thereby enhancing both engagement and outcomes.With such collaborative, data-driven efforts, Kulgam aspires to become a model district in foundational learning, ensuring no child is left behind in the journey of education.
