V
V.Balasubramani
Guest
We the half educated people
Children are the future of the republic but our schools are failing them
Happy Republic Day to all! As you enjoy watching the parades and celebrate President Obama’s presence in our midst, i would like to draw your attention to something important. A significant survey was released two weeks ago with major implications for the future of our republic, even as it got lost amongst the politics served hot by TV channels.
Called the Annual Status of Education Report or ASER 2014, it is the tenth such survey. Facilitated by NGO Pratham and conducted by local district-level organisations, ASER is the largest, most comprehensive annual household survey of children in rural India.
ASER 2014 reached 16,497 villages and about 570,000 children were covered.
First, the good news. Enrollment levels at schools are 96%. Most of our kids go to schools now. Other good news includes a functioning mid-day meal programme (over 85% of schools) and improved infrastructure. Around 75% of rural schools have drinking water while 65% have toilets, significantly higher than five years ago.
However, the biggest concerns arise from what is actually happening inside the school.
Which is to say, how the school does in terms of what it is meant to do — teach students.
Read more: Times Of India | Blogs
Children are the future of the republic but our schools are failing them
Happy Republic Day to all! As you enjoy watching the parades and celebrate President Obama’s presence in our midst, i would like to draw your attention to something important. A significant survey was released two weeks ago with major implications for the future of our republic, even as it got lost amongst the politics served hot by TV channels.
Called the Annual Status of Education Report or ASER 2014, it is the tenth such survey. Facilitated by NGO Pratham and conducted by local district-level organisations, ASER is the largest, most comprehensive annual household survey of children in rural India.
ASER 2014 reached 16,497 villages and about 570,000 children were covered.
First, the good news. Enrollment levels at schools are 96%. Most of our kids go to schools now. Other good news includes a functioning mid-day meal programme (over 85% of schools) and improved infrastructure. Around 75% of rural schools have drinking water while 65% have toilets, significantly higher than five years ago.
However, the biggest concerns arise from what is actually happening inside the school.
Which is to say, how the school does in terms of what it is meant to do — teach students.
Read more: Times Of India | Blogs
