Lecture 3 - NEP Lecture Series: Situating Life Skills Education in NEP 2020 for Transformative Learning
Building Beginnings – Foundations for Early Childhood Education
The third lecture of the NEP Lecture Series was jointly organised by the Centre for Life Skills, Loreto College, Kolkata, and the Indian Association of Life Skills Education (IALSE), Chennai, on 27 November 2025. Continuing the overarching theme "Situating Life Skills Education in NEP 2020 for Transformative Learning", this session highlighted the significance of foundational learning in the early years as proposed by NEP 2020.
Mr. Mainak Bhattacharjee delivered the opening remarks, emphasising the transformative impact of early childhood education and the mission to translate NEP 2020's vision of holistic, value-based learning into action. Sr. (Dr.) A. Nirmala welcomed the keynote speaker, Ms. Sonali Lahiri-Teacher Educator and Mentor under the National Mission for Mentoring (NCTE), New Delhi-appreciating her valuable contribution to teacher education and the relevance of the topic for trainees and educators.
Ms. Lahiri's keynote address focused on NEP 2020's restructuring of the early years under the 5+3+3+4 model and its prioritisation of life skills such as communication, resilience, adaptability, and emotional balance. She elaborated on "oracy before literacy", the essential role of play-based learning, and the CPA (Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract) approach to numeracy. She reinforced that life skills should be integrated seamlessly into daily routines rather than taught in isolation.
The interactive session enabled participants to engage with classroom-based possibilities for integrating life skills. The Vote of Thanks acknowledged the contributions of the speaker, organisers, and team members. The lecture concluded with a strong message—that the foundational years are transformative, shaping the lifelong learning journey of every child.
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