Mysuru: To assess the learning levels of the children according to the learning outcomes development, NCERT will conduct a National Achievement Survey in September. The survey will be conducted under three different categories, Class III, Class V and Class VIII. The learning gaps will be identified at the school level to provide feedback to students and schools.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Y Sreekanth, Principal of Regional Institute of Education, Mysuru said, “The RIE, Mysuru, a constituent unit of NCERT has the mandate of catering to the needs of the southern region in the area of school education. In terms of quality education, largely the southern region is ahead of other regions in enrolment, retention and students’ achievement. However, within the region and across the types of schools including rural areas there is a wide variation in terms of educational quality. We need to identify the low performing pockets and undertake necessary measures for the enhancement of the quality of education in collaboration with states.”
“For the first time, NCERT as an academic authority at the national level has developed Learning Outcomes which have been incorporated in the Right to Education (RTE). This document developed in Hindi and English has been translated into different southern languages in collaboration with the state departments of education, and has been shared with them for wider dissemination. The National Achievement Survey (NAS), which will be conducted in September third week for Class III, V, VIII will be based on these Learning Outcomes. Also, for the first time, the NAS will be conducted not just with state as a unit but at district level, thus providing a decentralised picture of the quality of school education. Earlier, we never had objectives but now with learning outcomes it becomes amply clear in academic subject areas what are the goals and objectives for each class. The learning outcome prepared for class I to VIII in academic subject areas will be the basis for monitoring the progress of students. So once students know what they have to learn and teachers know what they need to teach and teacher educators know how the progress has to be monitored there, it will be much clearer with regard to the learning. For example, when Pratham conducted the study, they mentioned that eighth standard students were not upto the level of fifth standard students. So these problems will not be there once learning outcomes are implemented strictly in state. Another important aspect of learning outcome is more emphasis will be given to competence than content.”
It can be brought to light here that when India conducted a programme for international student’s assessment in 2009, among 76 countries, India stood last but one that is 75th place. Indian performance was very low. The RIE will support states in developing curricular competencies across the subject areas as part of the implementation of Learning Outcomes.
A three-day workshop is being conducted at Regional Institute of Education, Mysuru from July 10 to 12 which will further be taken up at the district, block and school levels by the states. “Learning Outcomes and National Achievement Survey will have a positive impact on secondary education. If our country participates in an international testing such as Programme for International Students’ Assessment (PISA), the performance is expected to be better, as preparedness will be there”, added Sreekanth who took charge as Principal of RIE, Mysuru just few days ago.
