Jairampur: In a significant step toward improving learning outcomes and reducing school dropout rates, the Changlang District Administration, in collaboration with the India Foundation for Educational Transformation (IFET) and Sunbird Trust, officially launched two key initiatives—the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) Program and the Board Support Program (BSP)—on 13th June at the ADC Conference Hall in Jairampur.
The launch event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, including Hon’ble MLA Laisam Simai, Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sha, IAS, ADC Jairampur, and other senior officials such as the EAC, CO, BRCCs, CRCCs, teachers, and School Management Committee (SMC) members.
Delivering the keynote address, MLA Laisam Simai welcomed the initiatives and highlighted their potential to transform education in the region.
“These programs have the potential to transform the quality of education across our region. If we all work together—teachers, SMCs, community leaders, and government—we can ensure that every child in their foundational years learns how to read and write,” he said. Pledging his full support, he called upon all stakeholders to rise above formal roles and focus on the collective responsibility of nurturing children’s learning.
He also underscored the importance of these programs within the broader context of Mission Shikshit Arunachal, a state-led flagship initiative spearheaded by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The mission, he noted, is a comprehensive effort aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps, teacher deployment, school rationalisation, and student outcomes across Arunachal Pradesh.
Deputy Commissioner Vishal Sha, IAS, stressed the strategic value of the Board Support Program in raising the pass percentage among Class 10 students. He confirmed that the program will cover all 26 secondary schools in the district. “The program must be rooted in our local context. It should support—not burden—our teachers and SMCs. IFET must work closely with schools to ensure alignment with real challenges on the ground,” he said, calling for a bottom-up governance approach. He further emphasized that key decisions were made after extensive consultations with teachers, BRCCs, and other grassroots stakeholders—reflecting what he termed “collective governance.”
ADC Jairampur presented an insightful account of the challenges in the sub-division, including difficult terrain, socio-economic barriers, and low levels of parental engagement. However, he reassured all stakeholders of unwavering administrative backing. “We know the road ahead is not easy. But our administrative officers—many of whom are also chairpersons of SMDCs in schools—are committed to walking this journey with our educators. This is not a one-time program; it’s a sustained effort to build stronger schools,” he said.
The event also featured an orientation session to familiarise stakeholders with the objectives, roles, and operational plans of both FLN and BSP. Teachers and SMC chairpersons were warmly acknowledged as the primary drivers of change. The programs will include continuous capacity building, structured academic support, community outreach, and robust performance tracking mechanisms to ensure long-term impact.
Both programs are central to IFET’s broader District Education Empowerment Program in Changlang, which aims to strengthen the public education system in remote and tribal areas of Arunachal Pradesh. By focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy in early grades, and board exam readiness in secondary classes, the initiative seeks to bridge persistent learning gaps and open up new opportunities for marginalized students.
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