Strengthening Foundations: DoE Expands Mission Mathematics to Classes 6 and 7 Across Delhi Government Schools

In a decisive move to bolster foundational mathematical skills among students, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) has announced expanding its flagship programme — Mission Mathematics — to include students of Classes 6 and 7. Previously targeted at Classes 8 to 10, the programme’s proven success in improving outcomes in the Common Annual School Examinations and Class 10 CBSE Board results has prompted the government to extend its reach. This significant expansion, effective from the current academic session, underlines the DoE’s commitment to strengthening numeracy from an earlier stage, aiming to address learning gaps before they widen.

Widening the Scope: Classes 6–10 Now Included
Mission Mathematics, known for its structured and remedial approach, will now serve students from Classes 6 through 10. The initiative's cornerstone is the Special Mathematics Enrichment (SME) classes, which will identify and support students who need extra help in the subject.

Selection for these SME classes will be based on academic performance in the previous year. Special attention will be given to:

• Students who passed with grace marks
• Those who cleared the compartment exams
• Students who scored below 40% in mathematics

Additionally, teachers are empowered to nominate students based on classroom observations and assessments. This dual-track selection approach ensures that no student struggling in silence is left behind.

Structured Learning: Weekly Content and Digital Delivery
The DoE has planned a consistent content delivery mechanism to aid teachers and students in delivering and absorbing high-quality mathematics education.

• Schools will receive digital packets containing weekly worksheets, activity sheets, and daily practice questions three times a week.
• The materials are designed to align with the core curriculum and follow an activity-based learning model to promote student engagement.

This blend of structured content and interactive pedagogy aims to change how mathematics is perceived and learned, moving from rote memorization to meaningful understanding.

Flexible Scheduling: Before or After School Hours
SME classes will be held before or after the regular school timetable to ensure that the enrichment sessions do not interfere with regular teaching hours. Each group will consist of 20 to 25 students, providing a low student-teacher ratio for personalized attention.

Importantly, trained resource persons—potentially hired through the School Management Committee (SMC) fund—will facilitate these sessions. This model provides schools with the autonomy to rope in qualified talent from outside, ensuring quality instruction without burdening existing staff.

Tracking Progress: Systematic Monitoring and Accountability
A significant focus of the expanded programme is to ensure transparency and impact assessment. To that end, the DoE has instructed school heads to maintain meticulous student participation and academic progress records.

For Class 10 students, post-midterm performance will be subjected to a detailed item-wise analysis. This diagnostic approach will help identify specific areas of difficulty and allow teachers to provide targeted support.

Governance and Oversight: Establishing Zonal Committees
To ensure smooth execution and accountability across districts, the DoE will form Zonal Mission Mathematics Committees. Each committee will be chaired by the Deputy Director of Education of the respective zone and will include:

• Mathematics-trained principals
• Trained graduate teachers from government schools

This decentralized governance structure ensures close monitoring and real-time intervention at the grassroots level, making the programme more responsive to local challenges.

Teacher Training and Capacity Building Through SCERT
Recognizing the need for pedagogical innovation, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will conduct specialised training sessions for mathematics teachers. These sessions will focus on experiential and hands-on learning, equipping educators with the skills and tools to deliver engaging mathematics instruction.

The programme aims to demystify mathematics and encourage more inquiry-driven learning by emphasizing practical applications and real-life connections.

Encouraging Innovation: Competitions for Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM)
To foster creativity and engagement in the teaching process, the DoE will organise competitions at multiple levels—school, zonal, district, and state—to develop innovative Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) in mathematics.

These competitions aim to improve classroom delivery and encourage teachers to think beyond textbooks and introduce contextually relevant materials that make learning more relatable.

Digital Integration: Centralised Monitoring System
In line with the DoE’s broader digital transformation goals, a centralised digital module is being developed to track:

• Student attendance in SME sessions
• Academic progress
• Teaching effectiveness

This real-time data tracking will allow education officers to make evidence-based decisions and ensure timely interventions. It also provides a blueprint for scaling the model in other subjects or regions in the future.

Conclusion: Building Mathematical Confidence from the Ground Up
Expanding Mission Mathematics to include Classes 6 and 7 is a strategic investment in the future of Delhi’s government school students. By targeting learning gaps early, ensuring structured enrichment, supporting teachers through training, and embracing technology, the DoE is laying down a robust foundation for mathematical competence.