ASER 2023 Unveils Educational Crossroads: Over 30% Older Youth Unenrolled
In the ever-evolving landscape of education in India, the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) for 2023 has brought forth intriguing insights. The findings reveal a concerning trend among older youth, with over 30% not enrolled in schools. While overall enrollment stands at 86.8% for 14-18-year-olds, a noticeable discrepancy emerges with age, with 3.9% non-enrollment for 14-year-olds escalating to a staggering 32.6% for 18-year-olds.
What stands out is the shifting academic preferences in higher classes, as more than half of the students in Class 11 or higher opt for the Arts/Humanities stream (55.7%), outpacing STEM (31.7%) and Commerce (9.4%). However, a gender disparity surfaces in STEM enrollment, with females lagging at 28.1%, compared to males at 36.3%.
The ASER 2023 report also sheds light on language and mathematical proficiency. Alarming statistics reveal that 25% of 14-18-year-olds struggle to read a Class 2 level text fluently in their regional language. Mathematics poses another challenge, with over 50% of students grappling with 3-digit by 1-digit division problems, a skill typically expected in Class 3-4.
In the realm of language skills, a little over half can read sentences in English (57.3%), and of those, nearly three-quarters comprehend their meanings (73.5%). The report suggests a stagnation in the ability to read simple English sentences since 2016, prompting a closer examination of language education strategies.
Also read: Agniveer vayu: Indian Air Force’s Military Adventure Awaits!
The gender-based performance divide is evident in language and arithmetic skills. Females outperform males in reading a Class 2 level text in their regional language (76% vs. 70.9%), while males exhibit superiority in arithmetic and English reading.
A noteworthy revelation pertains to everyday calculations, where males consistently outshine females across various domains. Approximately 85% of surveyed youth can measure length using a scale when the starting point is 0 cm, but this proficiency drops to 39% when the starting point is moved. Overall, about 50% of youth can perform common calculations like time measurement, addition of weights, and application of the unitary method.
ASER 2023 paints a nuanced picture of the education landscape in rural India, urging stakeholders to address the challenges faced by older youth, gender-based disparities, and the need for focused improvements in language and mathematical education.