Disparities in schooling quality need to end for better outcomes

While the Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009 has improved access to schools, the quality of education remains uneven across Indian states. Empirical evidence underscores the urgency of prioritizing learning outcomes.

Disparities in Educational Outcomes:

• Introduction to the Issue: The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021 highlights significant disparities in educational outcomes across states. Leading states like Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana outperform others in subjects like Mathematics and Science, while states like Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Chhattisgarh lag behind.
• Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: NAS 2021 indicates a decline in student performance compared to NAS 2017. The pandemic and a shift from rote learning to competency-based assessments have contributed to significant learning losses.
• Decline in Performance with Progression: There is a consistent decline in average scores as students progress from Class 3 to Class 10. For instance, the average score in Language drops from 64.6% in Class 3 to 52% in Class 10, highlighting issues in building foundational skills.

Theoretical Insights and Policy Frameworks:

• Spiral Curriculum Theory: Jerome Bruner’s theory, advocating the recurrent revisitation of fundamental ideas, is pertinent as NAS data shows declining scores. Existing strategies may inadequately reinforce essential concepts, leading to knowledge gaps.
• Bloom’s Educational Psychology: Benjamin Bloom’s insights emphasize securing mastery in lower-order cognitive skills before advancing to higher-order thinking skills. The noted decline in performance suggests a premature progression to complex tasks.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: NEP 2020 aims to address these issues by ensuring foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3, promoting experiential learning, and shifting from rote learning to competency-based education.

Strategies for Improving Educational Quality:

• Professional Development for Teachers: Continuous professional development and the establishment of National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) are crucial for improving teaching practices. Regular in-service training is mandated.
• Competency-Based Education: NEP 2020 promotes competency-based education to ensure students master essential skills before progressing to advanced topics, thus preparing them for higher education and the workforce.
• National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023: NCF 2023 aligns educational aims, curricular goals, competencies, and specific learning outcomes. This structured approach ensures transparency, accountability, and targeted interventions to address learning gaps.

Steps for Addressing Disparities:

• Utilizing NAS Data: States should use NAS data to identify and target lagging areas, ensuring focused interventions and resource allocation.
• Teacher Training: Emphasizing modern and competency-based teaching methods through continuous professional development and mentorship programs is essential.
• Engaging Parents and Communities: Active engagement of parents and communities as partners in the educational process is crucial for improving educational outcomes.

UPSC Mains Questions:

Q. Analyze the role of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in addressing the decline in learning outcomes as highlighted by NAS 2021. What measures can be taken to ensure the effective implementation of NEP 2020?