The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 was released recently, and it tells us some important and surprising things about schools in rural India. Here are the main points:
Falling Enrolment in Government Schools: The number of kids aged 6-14 going to government schools has dropped from 72.9% in 2022 to 66.8% in 2024. Many families are now choosing private schools since the pandemic has ended.
Better Learning for Younger Kids: Even though fewer kids are enrolling in government schools, those who do are learning better. The report says that more Class 3 students can read at a Class 2 level—up from 16.3% to 23.4%. Also, kids who can solve simple subtraction problems increased from 20.2% to 27.6%.
Challenges for Older Students: Sadly, things aren’t as great for older students. Only 45.8% of Class 8 students can do basic math. This number hasn’t changed much over the years, showing we need to help improve learning in higher grades.
Digital Growth: The report also shows that smartphone use has grown. Over 90% of homes with kids have smartphones, and more than 80% of 14 to 16-year-olds know how to use them. However, only 57% use them for schoolwork, and there’s a gap between boys and girls in access and skills.
Improvements in Pre-Primary Education: The education for the youngest kids (ages 3-5) has gotten better, with many states showing almost all kids are enrolled. Plus, fewer kids are starting school too early—only 16.7% are too young for Class 1 now, down from 25.6% in 2018.
Attendance is Up: Teacher and student attendance has improved, with 87.5% of teachers and 75.9% of students showing up for school.
Educational Challenges Remain: Despite these improvements, some problems persist. Not all schools have clean water or good toilet facilities, and many still lack playgrounds.
Parents Matter: The report finds that more parents are educated than before. In 2024, only 24% of mothers and 16% of fathers of kids aged 3-8 were illiterate, showing a huge improvement from 2014.
In conclusion, while fewer kids are going to government schools, many are learning better, especially in early years. However, we still need to work on helping older students, improving infrastructure, and ensuring equal access for all kids.
Leave a Reply