The ASER, is an annual, citizen-led household survey that aims to understand whether children in rural India are enrolled in school and whether they are learning.
ASER has been conducted every year since 2005 in all rural districts of India.
It is the largest citizen-led survey in India.
ASER surveys provided representative estimates of the enrolment status of children aged 3-16 and the basic reading and arithmetic levels of children aged 5-16 at the national, state and district level.
18th Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 titled ‘Beyond Basics' was released by NGO Pratham, discussing the activities students are engaged in, their basic and applied reading and maths abilities and digital awareness and skills
ASER 2023 Beyond Basics survey was carried out in 28 rural districts across 26 States of the country.
While the sample is not nationally representative, it is still representative of the district level and indicative of broader trends of the activities, abilities (including digital abilities), and aspirations of 14-18 year olds.
The report shows that, overall, 26% of 14-18 year olds cannot read a standard two level text in their regional language
Foundational learning trajectories are typically flat and become flatter in the upper grades, which means that unless children acquire foundational skills in the primary grades, they are extremely unlikely to acquire them in later grades, in the absence of focused interventions
Basic calculations suggest that 57% of the 14-18 year olds surveyed who do not possess basic reading skills are enrolled in standard 10 or below, while another 28% of these children are not enrolled in school, college or a vocational institution
The availability of reading materials and books is a crucial factor in developing reading habits and abilities among students
Community libraries can create rich, vibrant spaces that foster reading, creativity and critical thinking, other than school textbooks
But just setting up libraries is not the solution.
They need to be managed right, led by committed and enterprising individuals who can rekindle an interest in reading, drawing children, youth and adults to these libraries and nurturing an environment in homes and neighbourhoods that guides, supports and motivates readers of all ages, genders and abilities.
More than 60% of the surveyed children want to obtain at least a college education, with a higher percentage of girls aspiring for a college education (65%) when compared to boys (59%)
Surveys confirm that the teens use smartphones primarily for entertainment and social media and less for educational purposes.
Youth will use smartphones for what they find interesting and what aligns with their motivations.
Tapping into the incentives that youth may have to prepare and learn more about what they want to become, digital technology can equip youth with the foundations of their aspired professions and also bridge connections with relevant professionals
But schools and colleges must take the lead and do more to understand and cultivate youth’s aspirations and guide them to the right platforms and avenues.
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