25 % teenagers struggle to fluently read a grade 2 level text in rural India ; reveals survey
25 % teenagers struggle to fluently read a grade 2 level text in rural India ; reveals survey
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 has unveiled distressing literacy statistics among Indian teens aged 14-18. The report, titled ‘Beyond Basics’, highlights that approximately 25% of teenagers in this age group struggle to fluently read a grade 2nd level text in their regional languages and 42.7% face challenges reading English sentences.
The survey covered 34,745 youth across 26 states, emphasizing the need for a closer examination of foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
Key Findings:
- 1. Regional Language Reading: A quarter of teens cannot fluently read grade 2nd-level text in regional languages. Female students (76%) outperform males (70.9%) in this aspect.
- 2. English Proficiency: A significant 42.7% of teens struggle to read English sentences, indicating a noteworthy gap in English literacy.
- 3. Enrollment Rates: Overall, 86.8% of 14-18 year olds are enrolled in either school or college. However, enrollment percentages decline with age, raising concerns about dropouts.
- 4. Gender Disparities: In reading regional language texts, females outshine males, whereas males perform better in arithmetic and reading English.
- 5. Educational Streams: In grades 11 and 12, 54% of students are enrolled in arts and humanities, 9.3% in commerce, and 33.7% in science. Females are less likely to pursue STEM streams.
- 6. Digital Awareness: Approximately 90% of youth have access to smartphones, with males more likely to own their devices. However, females lag in smartphone and computer usage awareness.
- 7. Learning Deficits: The report emphasizes that foundational learning deficits need to be addressed early, as students progress through the school system.
Implications:
The ASER findings raise concerns about the need for targeted interventions to improve literacy and numeracy skills among Indian teens. The gender disparities and challenges in English proficiency underscore the importance of inclusive educational strategies.
The ASER 2023 report serves as a call to action, urging educational stakeholders to address literacy gaps, foster digital inclusivity, and implement strategies to support the diverse learning needs of Indian teens. The findings emphasize the pivotal role of early interventions in ensuring a robust educational foundation for the youth.
