The answer to the widely discussed question- what is FLN in New Education Policy is still not clearly comprehended by most of us. FLN is one of the essential elements of NEP 2020. Foundational literacy refers to the basic reading and writing skills that lay the groundwork for enduring learning and communication. It incorporates the ability to understand written texts, express thoughts coherently in writing, and critically analyse information. Numeracy, alternately, is the proficiency of numerical concepts, mathematical operations, and the capability to apply them to complex real-life situations. It also involves the ability to solve problems, think logically, and make informed decisions.

Moreover, FLN development goals are crafted to establish a rigid foundation for further learning and personal development. These foundational literacy and numeracy development goals serve as guiding principles for teachers, curriculum designers, and policymakers to ensure that students receive the necessary support and instruction to achieve these fundamental milestones in their educational journey. Some of the common FLN development goals typically include the following:

• Reading Comprehension:  One of the goals of FLN is to develop the ability to comprehend written texts, such as comprehension of main ideas, vocabulary, details, and context.
• Writing Skills: It helps learners to acquire the skills to express thoughts and ideas logically in written form, covering grammar, punctuation, spelling, and organisation.
• Phonics and Phonemic Awareness: FLN development aids learners in understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, developing the capacity to decode words, and recognize phonetic patterns.
• Vocabulary Expansion: FLN aims at building an extensive and varied vocabulary to improve reading comprehension and communication skills.
• Critical Thinking and Analysis: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy help develop the ability to analyse texts, assess information, and think critically to form reasoned opinions.
  

LEAD Partner schools help in the holistic development of learners by focusing on several domains of development, such as literacy and numeracy development, physical and motor development, socio-emotional development, cognitive development, life skills, etc. In alignment with New Education Policy 2020 recommendations, LEAD embraces the following FLN features:

• Help learners read with comprehension
• Help learners comprehend numbers, measurements, and shapes
• Provide top-quality teaching-learning materials and resources to engage kids 
• Use play and activity-based pedagogy
• Sampoorna Hindi program to boost learners’ confident in Hindi
• Develop the capacities of educators, education administrators, Academic Resource Persons
• Track children’s learning levels consistently
• Conduct meaningful evaluations using polls, games, quizzes, etc.