Deplorable State of Education in Government Schools; Government School Children Unable to Read Books, Concerning Data Emerges from ASER Report
Basic Skills are Weak
Many government school students struggle with basic reading and math skills, as revealed by the 2024 ASER (Annual Status of Education Report) survey. Half of the 8th-grade students cannot do basic division, while 68% of 5th graders and 63% of 3rd graders fail to solve simple subtraction problems. Reading skills are also weak, with 60% of 3rd-grade students unable to read a 2nd-grade textbook. The gap between government and private school students is evident, as only 37.7% of government school 3rd graders can read a 2nd-grade book, compared to 58.2% of their private school counterparts.
Reading Ability is Very Low
According to the 2024 ASER survey, only 35.3% of 1st-grade students can recognize letters, and just 18% can read simple words, while 82% struggle to read even basic words. In 5th grade, only 59.4% of students can read a 2nd-grade book, showing a significant learning gap. Among 8th graders, 76% can read a 2nd-grade book, but 24% still lack this fundamental skill, highlighting serious challenges in literacy development.
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Math Skills are Poor
Math skills among government school students are significantly weak. Only 34.6% of 3rd graders understand basic subtraction, while 63% of private school students in the same grade perform better. In 5th grade, just 29.7% of government school students can do division, leaving 70% struggling with the concept. Even in 8th grade, only 47.1% of students can solve division problems, while 53% still face difficulties. These numbers highlight a major gap in foundational math skills.
Smartphone Usage is High
While students struggle academically, they are highly skilled in using smartphones and social media. In Odisha, 73.7% of homes have a smartphone, and 83.2% of families provide a separate device for their children. As a result, 80.9% of students actively use smartphones.
Their social media and internet skills are advanced. About 76.6% of students are active on social media, and 57% know how to block or report other users. Additionally, 51.9% can change their profile pictures and lock their accounts, while 58.6% know how to reset passwords. Internet browsing is common, with 71.4% of students using it regularly. Watching and sharing videos is also popular. 85.9% watch YouTube and an impressive 93.1% know how to share videos.
The ASER 2024 survey highlights a serious learning crisis in government schools. While students struggle with reading and math, they are highly skilled in using smartphones and social media. This growing gap between academic knowledge and digital skills raises concerns about the future of education in Odisha.
