NIPUN Tripura Mission marks major progress as Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha praises teachers for driving foundational learning. At the NIPUN FEST in Agartala, he highlights education’s vital role and urges teachers to nurture children with care and positivity.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening foundational learning in Tripura, stressing that teachers remain the central force behind the success of the NIPUN Tripura Mission. Addressing the District Level NIPUN FEST at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan in Agartala, the Chief Minister highlighted that education is the true driver of progress and an essential tool for building a bright future.
Dr. Saha said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasized that the future of the nation depends on the strength of its education system. “Education is extremely essential, and without education nothing is impossible. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, India has witnessed a large-scale transformation in schooling practices, focusing on innovation, foundational learning and inclusive development,” he stated.
He praised the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Mission, launched in 2021, calling it a visionary effort to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy among children. The Chief Minister said that NIPUN Tripura is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates joyful, activity-based and child-centric learning.
“Teachers must smile for children”
In his address, Dr. Saha emphasized the emotional and psychological impact teachers have on young learners. A teacher’s presence, expression and attitude shape a child’s curiosity and willingness to learn, he said.
“I want to urge teachers—everyone faces challenges in family or personal life, but when you stand before young children, you must smile. A child’s mind is pure and impressionable. The face is the index of the mind, and your positive expression attracts them towards learning,” he said.
He added that nature itself is a great teacher. “We must learn from nature and nurture the upcoming generation with patience, care and proper guidance. Education must shape a child not only academically but also mentally and morally.”
Teachers are the backbone of NIPUN Tripura
Calling teachers the “main foundation” of the mission, Dr. Saha said their dedication determines the learning outcomes of students. He stressed the importance of identifying learning gaps at early stages and giving special attention to children who struggle to keep pace.
“If students find joy in learning through play-based methods, they grasp concepts quickly. Teachers must understand the individual capacity of each child. If a student fails to understand something, giving them extra time is essential. Neglecting them will only weaken the foundation,” he noted.
The Chief Minister said that NIPUN Tripura, introduced in 2022, has so far covered nearly 4,200 schools. The state aims to expand it further in the coming years to ensure every child receives foundational literacy and numeracy support.
“I am hopeful this number will increase significantly. We must reach the last mile of the society. Teachers must work beyond the call of duty and treat every student like their own child. This year, NIPUN Bharat completed four years and NIPUN Tripura three years. These milestones show the progress we have achieved,” he added.
Strengthening the education framework
The District Level NIPUN FEST showcased learning modules, innovative teaching practices, early-grade activities and assessments under the NIPUN framework. Officials from various education departments were present, including Special Secretary Education Raval H. Kumar, Director of Secondary Education N. C. Shama and Director of Elementary Education Rajib Datta.
Dr. Saha also highlighted that NIPUN Mission has emerged as a transformative initiative under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the mission plays a vital role in enhancing children’s foundational literacy and numeracy across the country. Proper care, guidance and effective classroom engagement, he said, are critical to ensuring every child receives the support they need at the right age.
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The Chief Minister expressed happiness in participating in the district-level celebration, which also marked the fourth anniversary of NIPUN Bharat and the third anniversary of NIPUN Tripura. The event concluded with cultural performances, teacher interactions and demonstrations of classroom innovations implemented across Tripura’s schools.
