29 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. A recovery, and more

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Editorial Page – Page No. – 12)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context

The ASER 2024 report highlights anationwide recovery in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills.

Analysis of the news:

What is the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER)?

• The ASER, is an annual, citizen-led household survey that aims to understand whether children in rural India are enrolled in school and whether they are learning.
• ASER has been conducted every year since 2005 in all rural districts of India. It is the largest citizen-led survey in India.
• ASER surveys provided representative estimates of the enrolment status of children aged 3-16 and the basic reading and arithmetic levels of children aged 5-16 at the national, state and district level.

Recovery from Post-Pandemic Learning Losses

• The ASER 2024 report brings encouraging news, showcasing a complete recovery in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills across India’s rural districts.
• The data highlights a sharp rebound from the significant learning losses seen in 2022, which were a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption to education.
• The proportion of Class III students reading at a Class II level, which had dropped to 20.5% in 2022 from 27.3% in 2018, has now rebounded to 27.1% in 2024.
• A similar trend is evident in Class V, where reading proficiency has climbed back to 48.8% from its post-pandemic low of 42.8%.
• In arithmetic, the recovery has been even more significant, with Class III students demonstrating the highest subtraction proficiency levels in a decade, rising to 33.7%.

Government Schools Driving the Learning Gains

• One of the most striking findings of the ASER 2024 report is that the recovery in learning levels has been entirely driven by government schools.
• Historically, private schools have outperformed government schools due to factors such as family affluence and parental education levels.
• However, ASER 2024 reveals that while learning levels in private schools remain below pre-pandemic levels, government schools have surged ahead.
• In arithmetic, the improvements in government schools are particularly notable, with a 36.6% increase in subtraction proficiency in Class III from 2022 to 2024, compared to just a 10.2% rise in private schools.

Impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• The unprecedented improvements in foundational learning suggest that systemic policy interventions have played a major role.
• The NEP 2020, with its focus on foundational literacy and numeracy, appears to be a key factor behind these gains.
• Unlike previous fragmented educational initiatives, NEP 2020 represents a national-level push to strengthen early learning outcomes.
• The large-scale improvement across multiple states points to a successful implementation of FLN-focused policies and interventions.

State-Wise Progress and Notable Success Stories

• The recovery in learning levels is widespread across almost all states, with traditionally low-performing states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu making remarkable strides.
• Uttar Pradesh, in particular, stands out. In 2014, only 6% of Class III government school students in UP could read at a Class II level.
• This percentage gradually increased to 12.3% in 2018, then rose to 16.4% in 2022.
• By 2024, the proportion had jumped dramatically to 27.9%. This trend signals more than just a recovery—it indicates a deliberate and successful effort to improve FLN skills.
• Similarly, high-performing states like Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra, which had experienced severe learning losses post-pandemic, have also recorded strong gains.
• These states, where nearly half of Class III students in government schools could read at a Class II level in 2018, saw their numbers drop drastically in 2022 but have now shown significant improvement.
• The data suggests a nationwide commitment to FLN, with each state finding its own strategies to achieve the goals set under NEP 2020.

Conclusion:

• ASER 2024 is more than just a report on post-pandemic recovery—it tells the story of a country uniting behind a shared mission to improve foundational literacy and numeracy.
• India’s vast diversity has always led to variations in educational outcomes across states, but for the first time, a unified framework under NEP 2020 has provided clear goals for FLN improvement.
• The strong gains reported in ASER 2024 suggest that these efforts are paying off, marking a turning point in India’s educational landscape.
• The coming years will be crucial in sustaining and building on these gains to ensure long-term improvements in primary education.

What are the Government Initiatives Related to Education?

National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan PRAGYATA Mid Day Meal Scheme Beti Bachao Beti Padhao PM SHRI Schools National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The NEP 2020 introduces changes to the education system, including the use of mother tongue or local language up to class 5, comprehensive education frameworks, and the introduction of exams at various levels. However, challenges persist in the implementation of these policies. The NEP 2020 emphasises the need for increased public investment in education, recommending a target of 6% of GDP.

Practice Question:  The ASER 2024 report highlights a significant recovery in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills, with government schools playing a crucial role in this progress. To what extent can this improvement be attributed to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020? Discuss the challenges that remain in achieving universal FLN in India. (250 Words /15 marks)

For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out –28 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis