Lessons in the pandemic

Addressing school learning losses should be a priority

The Annual Status of Education Report (Aser) for 2021, conducted by the non-governmental organisation Pratham, offers some critical pointers for policymakers on the direction of rural school education in a post-pandemic world. Unlike Aser’s previous reports, which focused on learning outcomes, the 2020 and 2021 editions have sought to capture the state of rural education during the longest duration of school closures in the world. In a country where the quality of basic education remains a major challenge, this 16th report captures trends during the early phases of partial school reopening. Among the standout findings, and one that has implications