To analyse the status of education in India, new education policy 2020 and possible policy interventions to improve the quality of K-8 education

Abstract

In 2009, the Right to Education Act was made to provide free and compulsory education to every child in the age group 6 to 14 years (grade I - VIII). It helped to achieve the enrolment of 97% in this age group, but no tangible outcomes have been achieved in terms of improving the learning level of student’s especially in government schools and rural part of India. According to Annual Status of Education Report (ASER)-2018, only 27.2% children in grade III, 50.3% students in grade V and 73% students in grade VIII can read the grade II text. 20.9% students in grade II can do subtraction, 27.8% students in grade V can do division and 44% students in grade VIII can solve 3-digit by 1-digit division. The report further states that over the last 10 years, these proportions were highest in 2008. This declined till 2012 and in last 6 years the level has been rising slowly and unevenly. Although the level in 2018 are still substantially lower than in 2008.The National Achievement Survey* and Economic Survey* have also revealed the similar statistics. The learning outcomes have been persistently low across all categories of schools. However, it is particularly acute in government schools and the affordable private schools performing slightly better on an average. High fee-paying private schools achieve significantly better outcomes than both type of schools but they are still lower than international averages** In 2009, India participated in the PISA test (Programme for International Student Assessment) carried out every 3 years by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). India ranked 72nd from the total 73 nations who participated, beating only Kyrgyzstan. The PISA test assesses key knowledge and skills of 15-year olds in reading comprehension, Mathematics, and science. After the gap of 12 years, India is planning to appear for PISA in 2022. But still the biggest question is how far we have reached in terms of delivering quality education to our children.