The Government of India has nearly achieved “schooling for all” but the quality of educational outcomes remain at unacceptable levels. Analyze (200 Words )
Refer - Business Standard
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 5 years
KEY POINTS
· According to the Economic Survey 2017-18, Gross enrollment ratio in primary and secondary education have been around 95%, lack achieving decent learning outcomes in our schools, and no significant improvements seem to be under way.
· Then the Right to Education (RTE) Act came into force in April 2010, along with its formalisation of the automatic promotion policy. The proportion of children aged 6-14 enrolled in government schools fell significantly, as per ASER report.
· While the proportion in private schools rose from 24 per cent in 2010 to 31 per cent in 2014. Even more disturbing was the substantial decline in assessed learning outcomes in government schools: The proportion of children in Std 5 (typically age 10-11) who could read a Std 2 text fell from 51 per cent in 2010 to 41 per cent in 2013.
· There is no convincing explanation for this striking decline in assessed reading ability in government schools after the RTE Act. The assessed trends in arithmetic learning are even worse and equally unexplained.
· In the single year (2009) that only 15 year-olds from Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu participated in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Indian students ranked 72nd out of 73 countries.
· So there is very limited learning going on in our schools. With the very limited skills imparted by our school systems, it is difficult for the young men and women to enter the labour force in millions and it is tough to cope with the “digital age”.
· According to All India survey on higher education, gross enrollment ratio was near 92% in higher education, but if we consider publication of quality journals, levels Research and Development Indian students are not par with international standards.
Measures for quality educational outcomes
· Quality teachers with high dedication to be appointed through Teachers eligibility test in all states and UTs.
· Enabling environment in schools for children to learn subjects more in a practical way rather than theory.
· Reducing the dropout rates via holding special classes for children
· Robust industry academia interface, scientists to take the role of teachers in universities will provide better quality higher education.
