India To Participate In PISA 2021 After HRD Approval

HRD has finally decided to end its boycott of the examination after not having been participated in Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) since the year 2012. PISA was introduced in 2000 by OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation Development). It was set up so as to test the learning levels of 15-year old children in the field of Maths, science and reading. India didn't participate in PISA since 2009 after it was placed at 72nd place out of 74 countries. PISA is held every three years. So, India didn't attend it in 2012 and 2015. But the HRD ministry has finally decided to end this boycott and a team of officers will go to Paris to negotiate the country's participation in 2021.

In 2009, schools of Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh participated but now, Chandigarh will take part. It was selected because it is a compact area, there are fewer languages (mostly Hindi and English) and Chandigarh has a record of doing well in learning assessments. HRD ministry has already secured consent of Chandigarh administrator for the same. The decision of not participating in PISA was taken by UPA government after it blamed 'out of context' questions for poor performance of India.

After reviewing the decision, BJP government decided to take part in 2017 but they missed the 2018 deadline. So, now India has to apply for the PISA 2021.

By: Neha Maheshwari

Content: https://indianexpress.com/article/education/hrd-agrees-to-end-pisa-boycott-india-to-participate-in-2021-5342106/