SRINAGAR: The latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 highlights both progress and persistent challenges in the education sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The survey, conducted across rural areas, involved over 33 government degree colleges and three non-governmental organisations, ensuring comprehensive data collection.
The sampling methodology remained consistent, with 30 villages randomly selected in each district and 20 households surveyed per village, covering children aged 3 to 16 years. These efforts underscore the collaborative nature of the initiative, bringing together educators, researchers, and local stakeholders.
A significant concern raised by the report is the decline in pre-school admissions, which threatens the foundational stage of education. Enrolment rates for children aged 3 and 4 in anganwadis were reported at 64.9 per cent and 37.7 per cent, respectively, in 2024. While this reflects a modest participation in early childhood education, it also points to gaps that require immediate attention. On a positive note, the region is making strides in aligning enrolment policies with national standards, as evidenced by the decline in “underage” enrolment in Standard I, particularly in government schools.
Digital access is transforming education but also introducing disparities. The survey revealed that 93.7 per cent of adolescents aged 14 to 16 have access to smartphones at home, with 83.9 per cent reporting the ability to use them. Ownership levels are also noteworthy, with 48.5 per cent of adolescents owning a smartphone. However, a disparity in usage patterns emerged 79.4 per cent of adolescents reported using smartphones for social media in the week preceding the survey, while only 64 per cent used them for education. This underscores the challenge of effectively leveraging technology to bridge educational gaps.
Learning outcomes in Jammu and Kashmir show a mixed picture. The report notes a recovery in basic reading and arithmetic skills among Standard V students since the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Government schools saw a 3.7 percentage point increase in reading levels between 2022 and 2024. Yet, overall learning outcomes remain below the national average, with a learning loss of 2.3 percentage points in reading and 2.1 percentage points in arithmetic across the region. This highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve foundational skills.
Encouragingly, enrolment levels for children aged 6 to 14 have reached an impressive 99.4 per cent, nearing universal coverage. Government school enrolment has also increased from 55.5 per cent in 2022 to 57.2 per cent in 2024, contrasting with the national trend of declining public school enrolment. For adolescents aged 15 and 16, school dropout rates remain low, with less than 4 per cent out of school. Additionally, the gender gap in education is narrowing, though gender-based disparities persist in digital access and performance on digital tasks.
The survey also highlighted improvements in school infrastructure and programmes. Basic facilities, including electricity, libraries, and drinking water, have seen consistent upgrades. Schools have increasingly adopted three-month “school readiness” programmes for incoming Standard I students, aiding their transition to formal education. The implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 has bolstered foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) efforts, with focused teacher training and provision of appropriate teaching-learning materials.
Another notable finding is the performance of adolescents aged 14 to 16 in digital tasks. The report revealed that 87.6 per cent could set an alarm, 83.5 per cent could browse for information, and 88.3 per cent could find and share videos. These figures highlight the growing digital competence of students, though gaps remain based on age and gender, with boys outperforming girls in most tasks.
Overall, while Jammu and Kashmir have made commendable progress in enrolment and infrastructure, significant challenges persist in addressing learning deficits, ensuring equitable digital access, and strengthening early childhood education. The collaborative efforts of educators, government institutions, and community organisations remain critical to building a robust and inclusive educational framework for the future.
