The Vidya Pravesh program, designed to prepare young students for first grade, has covered 4.2 crore students across 8.9 lakh schools. However, the number of students participating has declined since its launch in 2022-23. The education ministry shared these figures in parliament on Monday.
Vidya Pravesh Program Overview
Vidya Pravesh was introduced as part of the National Education Policy (NEP). It aims to ensure a smooth transition for children entering Grade 1. The program focuses on play-based learning. It develops pre-literacy, pre-numeracy, cognitive, and social skills. This intervention is in place before the NEP mandate of establishing Balvatikas (pre-primary sections) by 2030.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan provided the data. He responded to a question on the Nipun Bharat Mission. The goal is to prepare all children for Grade 1, regardless of their background. This includes children from Balvatikas, Anganwadi Centers, or home learning environments.
Student and School Participation Data
The following table shows the number of schools and students covered annually:
| Academic Year | Schools Covered | Children Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 8,77,793 | 1,80,13,930 |
| 2023-24 | 8,85,902 | 1,13,60,923 |
| 2024-25 | 8,87,857 | 1,29,06,518 |
The highest student participation was recorded in the 2022-23 academic year. Numbers have fallen since then. However, the number of schools covered has seen a slight increase each year.
State-Level Participation
Uttar Pradesh (UP) leads in total student coverage over the last three years. It reported 51,61,232 students. Bihar followed with 48,18,642 students.
Most states have seen a decrease in student participation. Exceptions include Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, and West Bengal. These states reported increasing numbers of children covered.
Program Evaluation
A pilot study is underway. It began in February 2024. The study covers six states and Union Territories. It includes pre- and post-intervention assessments. Learner assessments are also part of this evaluation.