2010 Kravis Prize winner Pratham, the largest non-governmental organization in the world, works to provide quality education to underprivileged children in India. But that’s not all! The organization is also a reliable research source and released their seventh Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) this week, which was cited by the Indian Ministry of Human Resource Development. India’s National University of Educational Planning and Administration also released a comprehensive report this week that echoes the findings of Pratham’s ASER. The report has sparked discussion in media outlets about what can be done to improve the educational system in rural India.
The Times of India published several articles about the study, pointing out important statistics. The Hindu and other Indian news outlets also discussed the results of the report. Here are some highlights from the study:
• The dropout of female students in the age group of 11 to 14 years is currently 9.5 percent in the state of Jaipur. This was 20 percent in 2006.
• The rate of enrollment in private schools has gone up from 19.15 percent to 26.6 percent since 2006.
• The number of class III students able to solve subtraction problems fell from 36.6 percent in 2010 to 29.9 percent in 2011.
“Rural India going to private schools: Report” [The Times of India, January 18, 2012]
“Sharp decline in dropout of girl students” [The Times of India, January 18, 2012]
“Enrollment of marginalized primary students on the wane” [The Times of India, January 18, 2012]
“Alarming decline in reading and mathematical skills in 6-14 age group, says ASER” [The Hindu, January 18, 2012]
“Failing the test” [Indian Express, January 18, 2012]
And you can always find out more about Pratham’s great work on our page.
