Federal Foundational Learning Policy 2024 Published (Part 2)
The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) launched the first Federal Foundational Learning Policy (FFLP) on June 10th, 2024 (see our blog on the launch here). The policy is now published and publicly available (see below).
What is the goal of the Federal Foundational Learning Policy?
The policy aims to ensure that all children in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Gilgit Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) acquire basic foundational literacy and numeracy by 2030.
What is Foundational Learning (according to the policy)?
The policy aims for all children to acquire up to Grade 3 level competencies in English, Urdu and Mathematics. Using the National Curriculum of Pakistan it identifies key foundational skills all children must have in these subjects (see below):
How will this be achieved?
The policy works towards 100% foundational literacy and numeracy in the federal areas in the following ways:
Dedicating more time for reading and maths at primary level
Research shows that children in Pakistan only spend about 40 minutes studying languages, of which reading is only one subcomponent (World Bank, 2023). The policy addresses this by mandating one hour everyday to reading in primary schools and two foundational maths periods per week.
Remediation at middle and high school level
Evidence suggests that more than half the children in every grade are behind their required proficiency levels. For children who need it, the policy aims to catch children up with basic foundational skills by rolling out remediation camps in middle and high schools.
Using the Teaching at the Right Level approach
The reading hour and remediation will use the “Teaching at the Right Level” (TaRL) approach. Rather that being grouped by their class grade or age, children will be grouped into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels so that the classes can best suit their needs.
What is Teaching at the Right Level?
Teaching at the Right Level approach (TaRL) is an internationally recognised method that ‘enables children to acquire foundational reading and arithmetic skills quickly. Regardless of age or grade, teaching starts at the level of the child’. In the TaRL approach children are grouped into different proficiency levels, irrespective of which grade they are in. This targets children at different learning levels and provides support which reflects their specific needs.
What are the key areas the policy covers?
The Federal Foundational Learning Policy has 8 pillars:
Mandatory dedicated time for reading and numeracy at primary level.
Training two teachers in every primary school on foundational literacy and numeracy.
Sourcing or developing foundational learning content, and reducing the curriculum for primary grades
Regular internal and external assessments to monitor students’ progress
Fostering community engagement and building local partnerships to encourage a reading culture
Regularly reviewing data to ensure targets are met.
Setting up a three-tier governance mechanism which will be headed by the secretary to ensure accountability.
Allocating a budget for foundational learning activities to each school.
