The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), in collaboration with the Delhi State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), will conduct a Foundational Learning Study (FLS) for Class 3 students in selected schools across Delhi during February–March 2026. The study aims to assess and strengthen basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills among learners in the foundational stage of education. The Foundational Learning Study is designed to understand how well students have acquired critical foundational competencies by the end of Class 3. These include literacy skills such as comprehension, decoding, and expressive writing, as well as numeracy skills like number sense, basic operations, and problem solving.
Purpose of the Foundational Learning Study 2026
This exercise is part of a broader focus under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to ensure all children master foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3. Unlike routine examinations, the FLS is a diagnostic assessment and not a pass/fail test. It does not involve grading or certification for individual students or evaluation of school performance. The findings from the study will help policymakers, educators, and school administrators to identify learning gaps and target interventions effectively. NCERT and SCERT will use the data to inform policy decisions, improve classroom practices, and strengthen foundational education strategies in alignment with national goals.
Study Implementation and Preparation
The study will be conducted in selected, sampled schools, and a list of participating schools will be shared ahead of the assessment period. To familiarise teachers and learners with the assessment format, NCERT has also provided sample assessment tasks in both Hindi and English. Schools have been advised to incorporate these sample activities into classroom interaction so students can better understand the format during the study period. The NCERT-SCERT initiative emphasises cooperation from school principals and Class 3 teachers to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the study. It is expected to contribute meaningfully to improving foundational learning outcomes under the national education framework.
