ASER report 2019

Question: Consider the following statements:
(1) This report is published by Non-governmental organization (NGO) Pratham.
(2) It finds that older children perform better than younger one.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only(1)
(b) Only(2)
(c) Both (1) and (2)
(d) None of the above
Answer :(c)
Related facts:

  • Pratham – a well-known Non-Profit Organization has released the Annual Status of Education Report 2019 on January 2019.
  • The report shared several key insights and interesting observations about the state of education, especially school-level education in the country.
  • According to a brief analysis, Pratham’s ASER Report 2019 showcases parents’ choice of school when it comes to education of their students.
  • According to the report, parents prefer private schools for education of boys while girl students are primarily sent to government schools to get basic education.
  • In addition to this, the Annual Status of Education Report has also highlighted several other startling facts, which are discussed below:

ASER 2019 Report – Key Findings:

  • Some of the key highlights and interesting findings of the Annual Status of Education Report are discussed below:

Choice of Schools-

  • The ASER 2019 report states that parents exhibit a unique bias when it comes to selection of schools for their children.
  • The report shows that parents are more likely to opt for a private school when selecting a school for boys while government schools are primary choice of parents when it comes to girls education.

Statistical Analysis-

  • In line with the above finding, it has also been noted that between the age-group of 4-5 years, around 56.8% girls enrolled in government schools as compared to only 50.4% boys.
  • On the other hand, when it comes to private schools, 49.6% boys were enrolled in schools as compared to 43.2% girls in the same age group.
  • Even in higher age group i.e. from 6 to 8 years, some 61.1% girls were enrolled in government schools against 52.1% boys; while the number in private schools hovered at 47.9% boys against 39% girls.

RTE Admission Age Findings:

  • Another key finding which came forth through the ASER 2019 was that older children perform better than younger one.
  • The report stated that half of all 7 and 8-year-olds can do a 1-digit numerical subtraction problem correctly.
  • Children’s foundational skills improve in each subsequent grade.
  • In line with this, the RTE / the Right to Education Act has recommended that all admissions under RTE to Class 1 be done after completion of 6 years.
  • However, in reality 4 out of every 10 children entering Class I are less than 5 years old.

Recommendations:

  • Based on the findings of the Annual State of Education Report 2019, Pratham has made some interesting recommendations to improve the state of school-level education in the country.

It includes-

  • Strengthening and expansion of the existing network of Anganwadi Centres
  • Age of students play an important role in development of language, numeracy, social and emotional learning.
  • Enrolling students in primary grades at right age important for overall development.
  • Age group between 4 to 8 years seen as continuous progressive stages, so curriculum development should be done in accordance with it.

Links: http://img.asercentre.org/docs/ASER%202018/Release%20Material/aserreport2018.pdf