The Rohtak district of Haryana is pioneering an ambitious educational reform initiative titled “Padhe Rohtak, Likhe Rohtak”, aimed at ensuring 100% foundational literacy and numeracy among its children by March 2026. This bold program reflects a growing recognition that early learning outcomes form the bedrock of educational success and long-term human capital development.
The initiative aligns with the NIPUN Haryana Mission—a state-level interpretation of the nationwide NIPUN Bharat educational framework—designed to equip every child with essential reading, writing, and arithmetic skills by the end of grade three. Considering that these skills are critical for advanced learning and future employability, the program’s urgency and depth have drawn attention from educators and policymakers alike.
Program Framework and Strategies
At the heart of “Padhe Rohtak, Likhe Rohtak” are data-driven interventions that assess student learning levels frequently to identify gaps early and tailor instruction accordingly. Traditional age–grade benchmarks are being supplemented with in-class assessments to understand how well students are keeping pace with foundational competencies.
To achieve its goals, the initiative emphasizes three strategic pillars:
- Classroom Restructuring and Teacher Support: Teachers in Rohtak are receiving targeted training on child-centric pedagogy, enhancing their abilities to support struggling learners and foster peer-based learning environments. Workshops focus on innovative techniques like storytelling, interactive numeracy games, and reading circles that make learning engaging rather than rote.
- Community Engagement: Recognizing that parents and caregivers are vital partners in educational outcomes, the program encourages community involvement through awareness campaigns, parent–teacher associations, and local volunteer initiatives. The objective is to create a supportive ecosystem where learning extends beyond school walls into homes and neighborhoods.
- Progress Tracking and Accountability: Rohtak district officials have created digital platforms to track student progress longitudinally. These platforms allow education officers to monitor achievements, flag concerns, identify trends, and direct resources where they are most needed—ensuring targeted and efficient deployment of support mechanisms.
Addressing Educational Inequality
One of the critical challenges that “Padhe Rohtak, Likhe Rohtak” seeks to address is educational inequality. Data from previous assessments revealed that children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds often lag behind in early literacy and numeracy—setting them up for lifelong academic struggles.
By prioritizing foundational learning, the program attempts to level the playing field, ensuring that no child is left behind due to inadequate early instruction or lack of support at home. Community-based tutoring, peer mentoring systems, and remedial learning sessions after school hours have been mobilized to provide additional help to those most in need.
Collaborative Partnerships and Long-Term Vision
The initiative has drawn support from multiple stakeholders, including local NGOs, civil society groups, and education specialists. Their involvement has helped broaden resource access, introduce evidence-based teaching practices, and promote a culture of learning that celebrates small achievements. The goal is not just to meet a numerical target but to embed a culture of lifelong learning.
Officials say that if successful, the Rohtak model could be scaled up to other districts across Haryana, fostering a uniform rise in foundational learning outcomes statewide. Such scaling would require sustained commitment from policymakers, adequate budgetary allocation, and continuous training for teachers across the spectrum.
Looking Ahead
The “Padhe Rohtak, Likhe Rohtak” initiative embodies the growing realization that education reform must begin with the youngest learners. By focusing on literacy and numeracy, Rohtak is investing in its future workforce—ensuring that children can confidently navigate academic challenges, participate in a modern economy, and contribute meaningfully to society.
As the March 2026 deadline approaches, all eyes are on Rohtak to see whether this pioneering program meets its ambitious targets. Regardless of the final outcome, the initiative has already sparked a critical conversation about rethinking educational priorities, making foundational skills a central pillar of educational reform in Haryana.
