(a) whether the latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) brought out by Pratham, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has pointed out that the standard of elementary education is declining across the country;
(b) if so, the details of the key findings of ASER and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the corrective measures taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to improve the quality of education being imparted in schools?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) & (b): The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) is brought out annually by PRATHAM, a non-governmental organization. The ASER Rural-2013 presents certain positive findings, including that more than 96% children in the 6-14 years age groups are enrolled in schools in rural areas, while the percentage of out-of-school children in the 6- 14 years age group has dropped from 4% in 2009 to 3.5% in 2012. The report expresses concern regarding learning levels of children in schools in rural areas.
(c): The steps taken to improve the quality of elementary education include, inter alia recruitment of additional teachers, periodic in-service training of teachers, free distribution of textbooks, two sets of uniforms within a ceiling of Rs. 400/- per annum per child to all girls and SC/ST/BPL boys, regular academic support to primary and upper primary schools through Block Resource Centres and Cluster Resource Centres.
The Central government has also supported States/UTs on early grade reading, writing & comprehension, and early mathematics programmes called Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, while at the upper primary level support is provided for mathematics and science teaching learning. States have also been assisted to conduct comprehensive external student assessment surveys to assess gaps in student learning, in order to undertake corrective action.