Haryana Department of School Education has launched a massive Learning Enhancement Programme (LEP), part of Quality Improvement Program (QIP) in about 3,200 primary schools under its statewide part funded by Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF) which has committed US$ 2.7 million over three years to Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to provide QIP management support to Haryana. In June 2014, the state signed an MoU with MSDF, with both parties committing to make Haryana a leading state in quality education. QIP aims to bring 80 percent Grade I-V and V-VIII students to respective grade-level competencies in five-seven years, and put Haryana among the top five in ASER, NAS and relevant third-party learning outcome surveys.

 LEP, an urgent need as several studies indicate significant proportion of deficiency in basic languages of primary sections will cover 3,200-plus schools across 118 blocks in 21 districts and enroll more than 6 lakh students. Existing teachers rolls out the programme in classrooms without any external help to bridge the gaps of students by imparting knowledge in Hindi, English, and Math in two phases. Hindi and Math are being rolled out in phase 1 in September and English in phase 2 in November. Being competency focused inspite of syllabus focused the programme caters knowledge and upliftment. Both the education department and MSDF will monitor the outcome. About 240 Master Trainers who underwent training at the State Council of Education Research & Training, Gurgaon, in July and August, will aid teachers on the programme’s content and pedagogy at the block level.

Headquarter, district and block officers will visit LEP schools over a planned cadence and submit their observations on programme implementation and student learning levels through online forms. This will enable database reviews and discussions, which will then drive continuous feedback and improvement of LEP. All District Elementary Education Officers (DEEOs), DIET Principals, and Block Elementary Education Officers (BEEOs) have been oriented on their role in the programme.