Understanding the Challenges in Implementing NEP 2020: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in Anganwadi Centres After COVID-19

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 sets an ambitious target of achieving foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) for all children by Grade 3.This is a fundamental step toward improving the quality of education in India.However, the COVID-19 pandemic posed unexpected challenges that disrupted early learning across the country.Children in marginalized and tribal areas, already at risk of educational deprivation, were disproportionately affected.This paper focuses on the lived experiences of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) in a tribal region of West Bengal.Based on qualitative interviews with 35 AWWs, it investigates the ways in which the pandemic influenced children's foundational learning, health, and social behaviour.The findings suggest considerable setbacks in FLN outcomes and reveal how limited resources, inadequate training, and lack of digital access restricted the implementation of meaningful educational interventions.The study proposes a set of practical recommendations to support the integration of NEP 2020 principles in real-world early childhood education (ECE) contexts.It emphasizes the need for continuous support, capacity building, and community engagement to ensure that children in these regions do not fall further behind.