PARAKH RS Uncovers Nationwide Learning Gaps

PARAKH RS Reveals Learning Gaps Nationwide

Why in the News?

The PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (RS), India’s national student learning survey, highlighted persistent grade-level gaps in language and mathematics across the country. States like Punjab, Kerala, and Himachal Pradesh performed well, but deficits in conceptual understanding remain alarming, especially in higher grades.

PARAKH RS Uncovers Nationwide Learning Gaps

Survey Overview and Top Performers:

  • PARAKH RS, formerly National Achievement Survey (NAS), assessed 21.15 lakh students in Grades 3, 6, and 9 from 74,229 schools across 781 districts.
  • Subjects assessed: Language, Mathematics (all grades), EVS (Grades 3 & 6), Science & Social Science (Grade 9).
  • Best performing states:
  • Grade 3 – Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala
  • Grade 6 – Kerala, Punjab, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
  • Grade 9 – Punjab, Kerala, Chandigarh
  • Kendriya Vidyalayas scored lowest in Grade 3 Maths but topped in Grade 9 language.

Key Learning Trends by Grade:

  • Grade 3:

○ 67% students could use familiar vocabulary in daily conversation.

○ 69% could identify simple patterns; only 55% could arrange numbers up to 99.

  • Grade 6:

○ 54% understood large numbers using Indian place value system.

○ Only 38% solved real-life math problems; low conceptual understanding in science and EVS.

  • Grade 9:

○ 54% could grasp key points in written or spoken texts.

○ Only 31% understood number systems like fractions, integers, rationals.

○ 45% understood Constitutional values and the freedom movement.

Expert Concerns and Implications

  • The findings show widespread foundational learning deficits in language and numeracy.
  • Indicates a need for targeted interventions, curriculum review