The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 - UPSC Editorials

Context: ASER 2024 depicts that the recovery was extremely pronounced in government schools and that the learning levels in private schools were still not at pre-pandemic levels.

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Key Highlights of ASER 2024

Some of the key highlights of the ASER 2024 are

Improvement and Recovery

• Post-Pandemic Recovery: Learning levels at the all-India level have completely recovered and in some areas improved even over pre-pandemic levels.
• Unprecedented Progress: The improvement seen in 2024 is the biggest in ASER's 20-year history.

Learning Outcomes

• Reading Proficiency (Class III, Class II level reading):
  • 2018: 27.3%
  • 2022: 20.5% (pandemic drop)
  • 2024: 27.1% (full recovery)
• Reading Proficiency (Class V, Class II level reading):
  • 2018: 50.5%
  • 2022: 42.8% (pandemic drop)
  • 2024: 48.8% (near full recovery)
• Arithmetic Skills:
  • Class III (subtraction proficiency):
    • 2018: 28.2%
    • 2022: 25.9%
    • 2024: 33.7% (highest in a decade)
• Class V (division proficiency):
  • 2024: 30.7% (highest in many years)

Government vs. Private Schools

• Government Schools Lead Recovery:
  • Recovery and improvement are mostly led by government schools.
  • For instance, while the government schools increased their proficiency in Class III subtraction by 36.6%, the private schools could manage only a 10.2% increase.

State-Wise Performance

• Improvement Broad-Based: Almost all the states registered higher scores compared to 2022.
• Notable Performers: The states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu witnessed considerable improvement, particularly in historically weak performing states.

Policy Contribution

• NEP 2020 Effect: NEP 2020, that emphasized Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, FLN has contributed to this growth.
• State-specific Initiatives: States came up with state-specific routes towards achieving the goals of FLN, which reflected the effectiveness of a decentralized process.

Read the article on the Education System in India!

ASER 2024 underscores India’s strong recovery in foundational learning levels, driven primarily by government schools and systemic efforts under NEP 2020. To sustain this momentum, continued focus on foundational literacy and numeracy will remain crucial.

UPSC Practice Question

“The recent ASER 2024 report shows a remarkable recovery in learning outcomes, particularly in government schools, challenging traditional narratives about public education in India." Critically analyze the factors contributing to this transformation and suggest measures to sustain this momentum. (Ink in 250 words)