Low Learning in Primary School Children

The survey of Annual Status of Education Report and the Planning Commission Evaluation report along with Bill and Melinda Gates foundation indicate that only a Quarter of third grade students can actually read or understand a simple story or could perform basic numerical problems.

The disturbing fact that was noticed that even the most basic of concepts were not clear and the students’ performance were dismal. It is alarming because if the foundation is not strong these children’s’ learning capabilities will only diminish as they go to higher classes. It has been proven that the initial years till grade three is the most crucial as it sets the tone of a child’s journey to higher education. Lot of emphasis and policies have been discussed about teaching analytical skills and building meta-cognitive skills however, the current dismal performance of the students only indicate the huge gap between policy framework and reality.

The poor teacher training, inadequate student teacher ratio, poor quality of teaching has lead to this kind of poor learning outcome. This is a very serious issue as this kind of low quality education at primary level is a threat to the future of the country. This kind of poor education will leave a huge part of the country's workforce uneducated and unproductive. Not only will it affect the growth of the country but as individuals these children will not be able to pursue higher education and lead a fulfilling life that they actually deserve.

By: Madhuchanda Saxena

Content: https://www.ndtv.com/education/only-1-4th-of-third-grade-students-can-read-understand-simple-short-stories-in-india-report-1918761?publisher=newsstand