New Delhi: The 10th Annual Status of Education Report (ASER 2014) released on Tuesday shows that reading and mathematical abilities are not up to the mark amongst children aged 6-14 in India. However, the positive side of report shows that more than 96% of this age group are attending school.
The report states that only a fourth of all children studying in class 3 can read a class 2 text fluently. Even in class 5 only 50% of the students are able to read class 2 text.
Students in some states have shown marked improvement in reading levels since 2013.
In states like Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Odisha and Karnataka the percentage of class 5 students who can at least read class 2 level text is much more than the national average.
According to ASER rural figures remain almost the same over the past few years.
In 2012, 26.3% of Grade 3 students could do subtraction of two digits. In 2014, the figure has fallen to 25.3%.
The situation is extremely disheartening. It has highlighted the Centre's need to focus more on education, especially at the primary levels where students build their foundation.
