Education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, with the majority of the Schools and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) coming under the purview of States and UTs. On its part, the Ministry of Education is guided by the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises holistic development of learners and assessment practices by shifting from rote and summative examinations to regular, formative and competency-based assessment that promotes learning, critical thinking, conceptual understanding and continuous improvement in teaching-learning processes.

In pursuance of the recommendations of NEP 2020, the National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), was established by the Ministry of Education on 8th February, 2023. PARAKH lays down norms, standards and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation across schools and monitors the health of the school education system through large-scale assessments such as the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (previously National Achievement Survey), conducted from time to time.

The PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (PRS) 2024 was conducted in December 2024 to measure the baseline performance under NEP 2020 in the development of competencies among students at the end of Foundational, Preparatory and Middle Stages of Education, i.e. Grades 3, 6 and 9, respectively. The survey provides district-level evidence on learning outcomes and contextual factors to support evidence-based interventions for improving the quality of school education.

Over 21.15 lakh students and 2.70 lakh teachers and school leaders from more than 74,000 schools across 781 districts in all States and Union Territories participated in the survey, making it one of the most extensive assessments of student learning conducted in the country. The findings of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 highlight a significant improvement when compared to NAS 21 scores in foundational literacy and numeracy skills, thereby reflecting the positive impact of the NIPUN Bharat Mission launched under NEP 2020.

In order to identify possible factors affecting learning performance and to enable evidence-based interventions to improve learning outcomes, data was also collected on contextual variables such as teacher training, pedagogical approaches and teaching-learning material used, home environment and resources, digital access and exposure, school support, school infrastructure and inclusivity, community participation etc, during the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan. National, State and District level reports for PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 are accessible at https://dashboard.parakh.ncert.gov.in/en, a dedicated dashboard designed to disseminate the findings of the assessment.

Insofar as higher education is concerned, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) assesses and accredits Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in its quality pursuits and grades them for their achievements. Besides, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) launched in 2015 by the Government of India, ranks HEIs based on key parameters such as “Teaching, Learning and Resources,” “Research and Professional Practices,” “Graduation Outcomes,” “Outreach and Inclusivity", and “Peer Perception”. The ranking is announced every year and published on the NIRF website, which is available to all stakeholders as well as to the general public.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides different timelines, principles and methodology for its implementation. Diverse interventions under various schemes aim to improve the quality of education. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha focuses on improvement of quality of education by providing support to all States and UTs for different interventions, like in-service training of teachers and school heads, a composite school grant to every school for providing a conducive learning environment, support for children with special needs (CwSN), grants for library, sports and physical activities, support for Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan, Tinkering Labs, ICT and digital initiatives, a school leadership development programme, remedial teaching for academically weaker students, introduction of new pedagogical and curricular structure, NIPUN Bharat Initiative, child-friendly and inclusive classrooms including ECCE facilities, strengthening of School Management Committees (SMCs) and community-led initiatives, opening/strengthening/upgradation of residential schools/hostels, free uniforms to eligible children and free textbooks at the elementary level, a transport allowance and undertaking enrolment & retention drives, and provision of a transport allowance and undertaking enrolment & retention drives.

Further, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), one hot cooked meal is provided to the students at the elementary level (including Balvatika) in Government and Government-aided schools to take care of their nutritional requirements and improve attendance. As part of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI), existing schools are being strengthened to showcase all aspects of NEP 2020 and function as exemplar schools. The objective is to enhance quality of education through emphasis on foundational literacy & numeracy, upgradation of infrastructure, inculcation of sensitivity to environmental concerns,, as well as enhancement of critical thinking and other 21^st century skills through holistic, experiential and competency–based learning rather than rote learning.

This information was given by Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

*****

RRTN

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2290099) आगंतुक पटल : 298