The Annual Status of Education Report (Aser) 2024, released on Tuesday, highlights significant progress in learning recovery, with government schools outperforming private institutions. The survey, conducted by Pratham across 605 rural districts, reports improved reading and arithmetic skills, rising digital literacy, and stable school enrolment.
Key Findings from Aser 2024
Improved Learning Levels
- The proportion of Class III government school students who can read a Class II textbook increased from 16.3% in 2022 to 23.4% in 2024.
- Basic arithmetic proficiency in Class III students improved to 33.7% in 2024 from 28.1% in 2018 across both school sectors.
State-wise Performance
- Uttar Pradesh saw the largest reading improvement in government schools, rising from 12.3% in 2018 to 27.9% in 2024.
- Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Bihar also recorded substantial gains in reading skills.
Government vs. Private Schools
- Learning recovery has been stronger in government schools, while private schools have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.
- Despite progress, 30% of children still struggle to read a Class II textbook.
- While government schools have shown faster recovery, private schools still maintain a historical learning advantage.
Enrolment and Out-of-School Trends
- Government school enrolment peaked at 72.9% in 2022 but has now declined to 66.8% in 2024, nearing pre-pandemic levels.
- The proportion of underage students in Class I (five years or younger) has dropped to 16.7%, the lowest ever recorded.
- Out-of-school numbers remain lower than in 2018 but have slightly increased compared to 2022.
Digital Literacy and Smartphone Access
- 85.5% of boys and 79.4% of girls aged 14-16 know how to use a smartphone.
- Household smartphone ownership in rural India has risen from 36% in 2018 to 84% in 2024.
- Despite increased access, only 57% of students use smartphones for education, while 76% use them for social media.
- Kerala leads in digital adoption, with over 80% of students using smartphones for learning.
Impact of Education Policies
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and Nipun Bharat Mission have played a crucial role in foundational literacy improvements. The report highlights how digital tools, including AI-driven language translation, have enhanced learning accessibility.
Aser 2024 underscores that while learning recovery is on track, challenges remain in bridging digital divides and ensuring consistent progress in education.
