PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024
PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024: A Comprehensive Analysis and Its Implications for Educational Landscape in India
All About PARAKH: Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development
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 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, which is assessed through the learner’s ability to read and write with understanding.
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. The present 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
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. The coverage of schools other than the government schools is of recent origin; perhaps covered for the first time during NAS 2021.
- 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, & 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.
The 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, 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 realizing the NEP 2020’s vision of universal, quality 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.
