Source: Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 'Beyond Basics.'
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 17
Youth in rural Nagaland in the 14 to 18 years age group have a much higher ability to read English than their counterparts across India, but they lag behind in arithmetic as well as comprehension.
These, among others, were some findings of the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 'Beyond Basics,' released on January 17.
According to the report, a total of 90.6% in the cohort could read at least sentences in the ASER English test, compared to 57.3% across India.
Further, a total of 78.9% in the state could read Standard II level text in the ASER reading test, against 73.6% nationally.
However, out of those who could read at least a Std I level text, only 54.8% in Nagaland could read text on a medicine packet and answer at least 3 out of 4 related questions, compared to 65.1% nationally.
In the arithmetic test, those able to do at least division stood at 43.3% and 32.3%, respectively, in India and Nagaland. In addition, 48.4% of youth surveyed across India could do everyday calculations when compared to 30% in Nagaland.
Meanwhile, a total of 86.8% in India were enrolled in some formal education institutions, while it was 82.8% for Nagaland.
A total of 5.6% of youth surveyed were enrolled in vocational training nationally, against 1.5% in Nagaland.
Engagement in some work (other than household work) for at least 15 days in the month prior to the survey was also higher nationally at 33.7%, as against 29.8% in Nagaland.
ASER is a nationwide, citizen-led household survey spearheaded by the Pratham Foundation that provides a snapshot of the status of children’s schooling and learning in rural India.
The 2023 survey was conducted in 28 districts across 26 states, reaching a total of 34,745 youths in the age group 14-18 years.
One rural district was surveyed in each major state, with the exception of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where two rural districts were surveyed, as per an official statement.
For Nagaland, the ASER 2023 survey was conducted in Kohima, covering 590 youths in 508 households in 60 villages.
