The National Achievement Survey (NAS) will undergo a rebranding this year, known as PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024. Scheduled for December 4, 2024, the survey aims to assess students’ learning progress and has introduced several changes since its last iteration in 2021.
Overview of the Survey
- Conducting Authorities: The survey is led by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
- Target Group: It assesses school students from government, government-aided, and private schools across various districts in India.
- Format: The assessment consists of multiple-choice questions covering different subjects.
Historical Context
The NCERT has been conducting national-level assessments every three years since 2001. The following details highlight the progression of the survey:
- Involvement by Classes:
- Classes 3, 5, and 8 have been assessed since 2001.
- Class 10 was included for the first time in 2014-15.
- Assessments were conducted in 2017 and 2021 for Classes 3, 5, 8, and 10.
Reporting Structure
The survey provides comprehensive report cards at three levels:
- National Level: Displays average student performance scores out of 500 per subject.
- State Level: Offers percentage breakdowns of student proficiency levels by subject.
- District Level: Similar reporting as the state level, providing detailed insights at the local level.
Proficiency Levels
The proficiency levels indicated in the report cards are categorized as follows:
- Below Basic
- Basic
- Proficient
- Advanced
These levels are also analyzed based on gender, location (urban/rural), and social group (SC/ST/OBC/general).
Participation Statistics
In the 2021 survey, approximately 34,01,158 students from 1.18 lakh schools across 720 districts participated.
Changes for PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024
- New Class Involvement: The 2024 survey will assess students in Classes 3, 6, and 9, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- Curriculum Focus:
- Classes 3 and 6: Evaluated in language, mathematics, and The World Around Us (encompassing science, social science, and environmental education).
- Class 9: Assessed in language, mathematics, science, and social science.
Indrani Bhaduri, head and CEO of PARAKH, emphasized that these changes align the survey with NEP 2020’s educational framework, which designates specific stages for various classes.
Participation in 2024
For the upcoming survey, 75,565 schools and 22,94,377 students are expected to participate across 782 districts.
Impact of Previous Surveys
The 2021 NAS captured significant changes in student performance post-COVID-19:
- Class 3 Results: All states and Union Territories recorded scores below the national average from 2017.
- Class 5 Results: Only Punjab and Rajasthan scored above the 2017 national average.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the new name for the National Achievement Survey in 2024?
- A) National Learning Assessment
- B) PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024
- C) National Education Survey
- D) Achievement Progress Survey
Answer: B) PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024
- Which classes will be assessed in the 2024 survey?
- A) 1, 4, 7
- B) 2, 5, 8
- C) 3, 6, 9
- D) 4, 6, 10
Answer: C) 3, 6, 9
- How many students participated in the 2021 survey?
- A) 30,00,000
- B) 34,01,158
- C) 20,00,000
- D) 25,50,000
Answer: B) 34,01,158
- What is one of the key objectives of the PARAKH survey?
- A) To rank schools nationally
- B) To shape educational policies based on data
- C) To evaluate teachers’ performance
- D) To provide financial assistance to schools
Answer: B) To shape educational policies based on data
- Which proficiency level indicates the highest achievement in the survey report cards?
- A) Below Basic
- B) Basic
- C) Proficient
- D) Advanced
Answer: D) Advanced