Lucknow: Nearly 73% of teachers employed in state-run primary schools in Uttar Pradesh know the home language spoken by their students, but only 9% were found using it consistently to improve classroom participation and comprehension, according to a report based on a teaching-learning practices survey.The survey, conducted by the Language and Learning Foundation (LLF), covered 200 govt primary schools and focused on Classes I and II across four districts — Bahraich, Bareilly, Mirzapur and Rae Bareli.It found that in almost two-thirds of observed classrooms, children were mostly quiet and had limited opportunities to speak freely, converse with teachers, or learn through peer interaction.The report was released on Tuesday during a one-day dialogue titled ‘Policy to Practice – Transforming Classroom Teaching in UP ‘, organised jointly by the basic education department and LLF.It highlighted gaps in classroom processes, including limited use of strategies meant to address varied learning levels. Only 30% of teachers were observed using differentiated teaching methods to support children at different stages of learning.The use of teaching-learning material was also uneven. In 53% of classrooms, children did not use any teaching-learning material during lessons, the report said. On academic mentoring, 52% of teachers reported receiving support, while 48% said visits were irregular or support was inadequate or absent.Speaking after the report ‘s release, additional chief secretary for basic and secondary education Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma stressed that learning requires active engagement of all children. ‘The first principle of learning is the active participation of every child and a teacher ‘s foremost responsibility is to engage every learner in the learning process ,’ he said.Sharma asked teachers to ensure that no eligible child is left out during the second phase of School Chalo Abhiyan beginning July 1. He urged Class 5 teachers to ensure enrolment of their students in Class 6 and called for special attention to enrolment in Bal Vatika, the pre-primary section. He added that enrolment must be matched by regular attendance and asked teachers to personally reach out to parents when children remain absent.Director general of school education Monica Rani called on teachers to support both emotional development and learning, and to focus on children lagging behind. LLF founder and executive director Dhir Jhingran said sustained improvements in learning outcomes depend on ensuring quality teaching for every child.
