NCERT will assess learning levels of school children

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is set to organize a National Achievement Survey in September 2017. The Survey to be conducted aims to check the learning levels of students of Class III, Class V and Class VIII. All the students to be assessed with their learning levels have been kept under these three categories. After the Survey reaches its conclusions, the results (identified gaps) will be communicated to the students and the schools. It will help the schools to improve the learning level of their students.

Important Measures Required: When asked about this development, Y Sreekanth who took charge as the Principal of RIE, Mysore recently, said that the RIE has been mandated to cater to the needs of school education in southern region of India. It (RIE) is a constituent part of NCERT. When it comes to a systematic approach toward enrollment, exam and admission the southern part of India is better than other regions. Conversely, within the region and across all the types of schools (even those in rural areas), there is a wide deviation in educational quality. Essential measures are required to enhance the quality of education in collaboration with other states.

He further said: "For the first time, NCERT, as an academic authority at the national level, has developed Learning Outcomes which have been incorporated in the Right to Education (RTE). This document in Hindi and English has been translated into different southern languages in collaboration with the state departments of education, and has been shared with them. The National Achievement Survey (NAS) will be based on these Learning Outcomes. Also, for the first time, the NAS will be conducted not just state as a unit but at the district level, thus providing a decentralised picture of the quality of school education. Earlier, we never had objectives but now with learning outcomes, it becomes amply clear in academic subject areas the goals and objectives for each class. The learning outcomes prepared for class I to VIII in academic subject areas will be the basis for monitoring the progress of students. Once students know what they have to learn and teachers know what they need to teach and teacher educators know how the progress has to be monitored, there will be much clarity. For example, when Pratham conducted the study, they mentioned that class 8 were not up to the level of class 5 students; so these problems will not be there once learning outcomes are implemented strictly. Another important aspect of learning outcome is more emphasis will be given to competence than content."

Three Day Workshop: To improve education standards and learning ability of students, the states will receive support from the RIE to strengthen curricular competencies in all the subject areas with a 3-day workshop at RIE (Mysore) beginning from July 10 till July 12 (Monday to Wednesday). The states will then take up the workshop at district, block and school levels. This Survey will generate a positive impact on the Secondary Education system in the country.

About NCERT
Established on September 1, 1961 under the Government of India, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an independent organization that assists and advises the Central and state governments on academic matters related to school education for qualitative improvement in the same.