The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) survey for 2023 uncovers a troubling reality. Nearly one in four teenagers (14-18 years) are struggling to read a grade 2 text fluently in their regional languages. Moreover, the difficulty ramps up when it comes to English, with a staggering 42.7% unable to read sentences in the global lingua franca.
The 2023 ASER report, named “Beyond Basics”, has been published by the Pratham Foundation.
Key Findings Of ASER 2023
- Enrollment Trends: A Closer Look: The ASER report revealed that 86.8% of the youths aged 14-18 are currently enrolled in either a school or a college. However, it’s not all rosy. As these young learners grow older, the enrollment percentage takes a hit. The proportion of youth not enrolled in any educational institution steadily increases from a mere 3.9% at 14 years to a concerning 32.6% by the time they turn 18.
- Dropout Concerns Amid Pandemic: During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were serious apprehensions of older children leaving their studies as their families struggled with livelihood challenges. However, the ASER 2023 report puts these worries to rest. It clarifies that these fears were “unfounded.”
- Government’s Role in Education: The report credits the government’s efforts to make secondary education universal as a key factor behind the declining trend of out-of-school children and youth.
- Foundational Skills Remain a Challenge: Despite this positive trend, the report throws light on a persistent issue: there’s no substantial improvement in the foundational literacy and numeracy skills (FLN) of students, even though they are staying in school for a longer period.
Read full report here
Analysis
Foundational Skills: The Challenge
One major concern highlighted by the ASER 2023 report is the lack of foundational skills. Approximately 25% of those surveyed struggle to read a Grade 2 level text in their local language. Over half have difficulty with arithmetic skills, which they should have mastered by Grade 5. This gap significantly affects the quality of the labor force. Even the best-designed vocational programs can’t succeed if the targeted individuals lack basic reading and arithmetic skills.
Academic Pressure on Young Students
ASER 2023 also addresses a difficult issue in contemporary education: the intense academic competition that puts undue pressure on young students. This issue isn’t restricted to urban areas. Some students face greater challenges as they need to balance academic demands with responsibilities like working on family farms.
Embracing Digital Learning
ASER suggests that we need to rethink our teaching methods to decrease the strain on students. With the surge of smartphones in rural communities—almost 95% of households surveyed have these devices and nearly 95% of men and 90% of women are capable of using them—we have an opportunity to expand education. This progress allows for the creation of flexible classrooms that are not bound by traditional schedules. Nevertheless, there is a challenge before us: how can we encourage students and their parents to use digital technologies for educational purposes rather than solely for entertainment?
Implementing NEP 2020
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 envisions integrating digital technology into education. It promotes a shift from a curriculum-based approach to a student-centric one. The ASER 2023 report, providing insights into the digital capabilities of young people, could guide policymakers in executing NEP’s visions. However, they need to be cautious and avoid falling into the trap of technological fundamentalism.
Learning from China’s Vocational Training System
China has successfully capitalized on its demographic dividend by implementing strategic reforms in its technical and vocational education systems. Unfortunately, India is lagging in this aspect as shown in the ASER report. Vocational courses are not the preferred choice for the youth, with only 6% of those surveyed currently pursuing such courses.
Revisiting Vocational Education
This is a clear signal for policymakers to reconsider vocational education, as NEP also envisions, and make it truly appealing. An aspirational vocational education system can play a pivotal role in bridging the skills gap and driving economic growth.