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Context - The Union Ministry of Education has released the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021 report.

Details

• The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021 report assesses the school education system through a comprehensive evaluation survey of children’s learning in classes 3, 5, 8 and 10.
• The survey reflects the overall assessment of the school education system, it covers;
  • Government Schools (Both Union and State Government).
  • Government Aided Schools.
  • Private Unaided Schools.
• The subjects covered are;
  • Language, Mathematics & EVS for class 3 & 5.
  • Language, Mathematics, Science & Social Science for class 8.
  • Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and English for class 10.
• Nearly 34 lakh students from 1.18 lakh schools in 720 districts have participated in the survey.
• The survey was managed through the technology platform designed and developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Key Findings

• According to the survey data, nearly 80% of students during the pandemic have found learning “burdensome” and felt that they would learn better in school.
• Nearly 24% of students responded that they had no digital device at home.
• Approx 45% of students found the digital learning experience “joyful”, and 38% also said that they had difficulties in learning.
• The Survey found that out of 500 scores, students across various classes performed better in languages, but lagged behind in subjects like mathematics and science.
  • In Class 3, students scored the highest in languages (323), followed by EVS (307) and mathematics (306).
  • Across various subjects and classes, SC, ST and OBC students performed worse

Challenges in Indian Education System

• India has achieved universal enrolment at the elementary level. This is a great achievement, but getting Students to School is only the beginning of human Capital formation.
• Poor quality of facilities, Shortage of qualified faculty.
• Out of date Curriculum, Limited university-industry Partnership.
• Indian origin Scientists have won the Nobel Prize, but post-independence work done in India has not led to a Science novel. If Indians Studying and working abroad can have a great impact, then obviously the problem has to do with our Systems of education and research.
• Broken governance System. There are few rewards for being a good teacher and few Punishments for being a Careless one. Need more effective and accountable governance Systems.
• The greed of Private Colleges to earn the maximum from every Student puts traumatic Pressure on Students which results in mental breakdown.
• More girls than boys drop out of School. While boys drop out to work, girls usually Stay at home and help with domestic Work. Social Conception of gender roles is an important factor.
• Learning loss due to pandemics and the digital divide.

Steps by the Government

• The 86th Constitution Amendment provides the Fundamental right to free and compulsory education under Article 21A includes a Common education System where the “rich and Poor are educated under one roof".
• Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan provides funding to eligible State higher educational institutions.
• Declaration of Educational Institutions as institutions of Eminence, to provide world-class education to Indian Students within the Country.
• Creation of Higher Education Financing Agency, for high-quality infrastructure in Premier educational institutions.
• National Institution Ranking Framework for ranking our higher education institutions.
• GIAN Initiative to invite distinguished academicians, entrepreneurs, scientists, and experts from premier institutions across the world to teach in higher educational institutions in India.
• SWAYAM Portal for online Courses.
• SWAYAM Prabha Provide HD educational Channels through DTH on a 24X7 basis.
• Sodhganga to develop a national repository of universities in India, and digital Study material for higher education.
• Samagra Shiksha Scheme to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education.
• The government is encouraging Open Online Courses via Swayam Platforms So that Students Can have access to quality lectures online.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to Provide Personalised instructions based on Student needs.
• The government needs to work on improving digital infrastructure and ensure that students have access to mobile phones or laptops.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1828301

https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=GHO9RQDBR.1&imageview=0

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