Advancements in India's Education System
In recent years, the focus of education reforms in India has evolved from merely expanding access to improving quality, pedagogy, and learning outcomes. The primary goal is to ensure that students not only attend school but also truly learn effectively.
Importance of Assessment
- Reliable, scientific assessments are crucial to understanding what students are learning and how schools are enabling skill development.
- Large-scale assessments identify macro trends, providing insights into students' strengths and weaknesses and systemic issues.
National Achievement to PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (PRS) 2024
- The PRS 2024 has expanded to cover 21.15 lakh students in 74,229 schools nationwide.
- Assessed grades include III, VI, and IX, aligning with the stages outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Foundational Stage Achievements
- Data shows recovery and surpassing of pre-pandemic learning levels.
- Significant improvements in Grade III, with 57% proficiency in language and 65% in mathematics.
- Government schools in rural areas have sometimes outperformed urban and private schools.
Challenges in Grades VI and IX
- Performance in grades VI and IX reveals marginal gaps by gender and region, especially in mathematics and science.
- Comparisons between PRS 2024 and earlier surveys are challenging due to changes in assessment structure.
Using Data for Local Improvements
States and districts must translate survey findings into specific, need-based interventions, focusing on local educational strengths and gaps.
Linking Education to Employability
- The government plans a large-scale skills assessment to evaluate skill readiness and guide vocational education and skilling interventions.
- Initiatives such as ITI grading and NEET inclusion in PLFS are steps toward linking learning with livelihood.
The advancements reflected in PRS 2024 signify progress and highlight the path forward for building an inclusive, evidence-driven education system in India.
