PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024: A Comprehensive Analysis and Its Implications for Educational Landscape in India

Parakh rashtriya sarvekshan 2024

Parakh Rastriya Sarvekshan-2024

All About PARAKH: Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development

Suggestions for Improving Future Educational Surveys

 

Abstract

The PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, formerly the National Achievement Survey (NAS), represents a pivotal shift in India’s approach to assessing educational outcomes. This scholarly article discusses the Survey’s coverage, period, assessment methodologies, subjects, and grades evaluated. It underscores the Survey’s significance in enhancing educational quality and juxtaposes its anticipated outcomes with the NAS 2021 results. Furthermore, the analysis aligns these findings with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision of achieving universal school education by 2030.

Introduction

India has made significant progress on three components of universal school education: universal access, universal participation or enrolment, and universal retention. However, the progress on the fourth component, universal quality of education, though improved, is not satisfactory, and all activities in India are now centered more on improving the quality of school education.

The Times of India: PARAKH, December 3, 2024

Educational assessments are instrumental in gauging the efficacy of pedagogical strategies and informing policy decisions. The National Achievement Survey (NAS) has historically served this purpose in India. In 2024, the Survey underwent a significant transformation, rebranded as the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan, reflecting a more holistic and system-level evaluation approach. This article presents an in-depth review of the 2024 survey, its methodologies, and its anticipated impact on India’s educational framework.

PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024

Analysis_Framework_PARAKH_NCERT_2024

Survey Overview

  • Coverage and Period: Scheduled for December 4, 2024, the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 was set to assess approximately 22,94,377 students across 75,565 schools nationwide. The Survey encompasses diverse educational institutions, including state government schools, government-aided schools, private unaided schools, and central government schools.
  • Assessment Methodology: The Survey employed a paper-based assessment approach, utilizing Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) technology to ensure accuracy and efficiency in data collection. This methodology aligns with international best practices, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of student competencies.
  • Subjects and Grades Evaluated: The assessment targets students in Grades 3, 6, and 9, focusing on key subjects:
    • Grade 3: Foundational competencies over a 90-minute assessment period.
    • Grade 6: Language, Mathematics, and “The World Around Us” (TWAU), assessed over 90 minutes.
    • Grade 9: Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science, with a 120-minute assessment duration.

This structured survey approach, PARAKH 20124, thoroughly evaluates students’ learning trajectories at critical educational stages.

Significance in Enhancing Educational Quality

The PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 served multiple pivotal functions:

  • Competency-Based Assessment: By evaluating entire schools, the Survey provides insights into the strengths & areas for improvement within educational institutions, facilitating targeted interventions.
  • Data-Driven Policy Formulation: The comprehensive data collected informs policymakers, enabling the development of evidence-based strategies to enhance educational outcomes.
  • Alignment with NEP 2020: The Survey embodies the principles of the National Education Policy 2020, promoting an inclusive, equitable, and holistic educational approach.

Comparison with NAS 2021

The NAS 2021 assessed approximately 34 lakh students from 1.18 lakh schools across 720 districts. The findings indicated a decline in learning outcomes as students progressed to higher grades. For instance, the national average score in Mathematics decreased from 57 percent in Grade 3 to 32 percent in Grade 10. Similarly, Language scores dropped from 62 percent in Grade 3 to 53 percent in Grade 8.

NCERT National Achievement Survey 2021

In contrast, the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 adopts a more holistic, system-level assessment approach, focusing on evaluating entire schools rather than individual student performance; this shift aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the educational ecosystem, facilitating targeted improvements.

Implications for NEP 2020’s Vision of Universal School Education by 2030

The insights from PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 are instrumental in realizing the NEP 2020’s goal of universal school education by 2030. By identifying systemic strengths and weaknesses, the Survey enables targeted interventions to be implemented, ensuring equitable and quality education for all students; this aligns with the NEP’s emphasis on competency-based learning and holistic development.

Concluding Observations

The transition from NAS to PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan marks a significant evolution in India’s educational assessment landscape. By embracing a system-level evaluation approach, the 2024 survey provides comprehensive insights into the health of the nation’s education system. These insights are crucial for informing policy decisions and implementing targeted interventions, ultimately contributing to realizing the NEP 2020’s vision of universal, quality education by 2030.

Suggestions for Improving Future Educational Surveys

While the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 marks a significant advancement in India’s educational assessment framework, there is always room for further enhancement. Below are key suggestions to improve such surveys in the future:

  1. Expanding Digital Integration for Real-time Analysis
  • Current surveys rely on Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets, which, although efficient, could be supplemented with digital platforms for real-time data collection.
  • Introducing AI-driven analytics could provide deeper insights into learning patterns and trends across regions.
  • Mobile-based assessments in remote areas could improve participation and efficiency.
  1. Conducting Annual and Mid-Term Assessments
  • Instead of conducting large-scale surveys every three years, smaller, periodic assessments (bi-annual or annual) could provide more consistent tracking of students’ progress.
  • Mid-term surveys could help identify gaps and allow corrective measures before students transition to higher grades.
  1. Incorporating Socio-Economic and Regional Disparities in Analysis
  • Future surveys should correlate learning outcomes with socio-economic backgrounds, parental education levels, and school infrastructure to identify deeper systemic issues.
  • Additional weight should be given to students from disadvantaged groups (SC/ST, OBC, girls, and students with disabilities) to assess educational equity effectively.
  1. Moving from System-Level to Student-Centric Analysis
  • While system-wide assessments help gauge institutional performance, individual student-level analysis could provide granular insights.
  • Adaptive testing models, where test difficulty adjusts based on student responses, could better gauge learning levels.
  1. Expanding Subject Coverage and Holistic Skill Assessment
  • Future surveys should assess 21st-century skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy.
  • Subjects like environmental science, coding, and vocational skills should be included to align with the evolving educational landscape.
  1. Strengthening Teacher and School-Level Feedback Mechanisms
  • Survey results should be directly shared with schools and teachers, along with customized improvement strategies based on the data.
  • Providing teachers with continuous professional development (CPD) programs based on survey insights can effectively bridge learning gaps.
  1. Enhanced Community and Parental Engagement
  • Localized report cards for districts and states should be made public to ensure greater accountability and encourage community participation in school improvement.
  • Parent workshops based on findings could empower guardians to support their children’s learning more effectively.
  1. Integration with National Educational Platforms (DIKSHA, UDISE+)
  • The PARAKH survey data should seamlessly integrate with platforms like UDISE+ (Unified District Information System for Education) to create a more comprehensive data-driven education policy framework.
  • Using DIKSHA for remedial e-learning modules based on survey findings could help address learning gaps identified in assessments.
  1. International Benchmarking for Quality Education
  • Aligning assessments with international frameworks like PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) could help benchmark India’s performance globally.
  • Introducing pilot tests in select regions before national rollout could ensure assessment validity and reliability.

Concluding Observations

Future iterations of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan must build on the 2024 model by leveraging digital tools, improving frequency, enhancing feedback loops, and ensuring inclusivity. A more student-centric approach, real-time monitoring, and stronger policy linkages will make these surveys powerful tools for achieving the NEP 2020 goal of universal school education by 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024


1. What is PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024?

Answer: PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 is a nationwide student assessment survey conducted by NCERT and the Ministry of Education to evaluate the achievement levels of students in grades 3, 5, 7, and 10 across India.

2. What is the objective of this Survey?

Answer: The main objective is to assess learning outcomes, identify gaps in education, and provide insights for policy improvements in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

3. Which students are covered under this assessment?

Answer: The Survey includes students from grades 3, 5, 7, and 10 studying in government, aided, and private schools across different states and UTs.

4. What subjects are assessed in the Survey?

Answer:

  • Grade 3 & 5: Language, Mathematics, and Environmental Studies
  • Grade 7: Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science
  • Grade 10: Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science

5. Who conducts the Survey?

Answer: NCERT, under the Ministry of Education, leads the assessment with support from SCERTs, state education departments, and school authorities.

6. How is the data collected for this assessment?

Answer: The data is collected through standardized test booklets, OMR sheets, digital tools, and classroom observations by trained surveyors.

7. How does this Survey differ from NAS (National Achievement Survey)?

Answer: While NAS is conducted every three years, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan aims to provide more frequent and detailed insights into student learning based on NEP 2020 guidelines.

8. Will individual student results be shared?

Answer: No, this is not an individual evaluation. The Survey provides aggregated data to help improve educational policies and teaching methods.

9. How will the findings of the Survey be used?

Answer: The results will help policymakers, educators, and curriculum developers improve teaching strategies, frameworks, and assessment methods.

10. Where can I find more details about the Survey?

Answer: More details are available at Education for All in India.