SRINAGAR: In rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the education system at the middle-class level is showing a declining trend among Class 8 students, with less than 50 per cent of government school students unable to read texts of the 2nd standard level.
Besides, more than 70 per cent of students in government schools in rural areas are unable to perform division tasks in mathematics.
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024, released on Tuesday, states that during the survey, it was found that only 47.2 per cent of students in Jammu and Kashmir were able to read 2nd standard level text.
The survey further suggests that reading ability among students has shown a declining trend, as at least 55.5 percent of students were able to read 2nd standard level text in 2018. This figure dropped to 50.2 percent in 2022 and further reduced to 47.2 percent in 2024.
The survey further reveals that only 28 percent of Class 8 students were able to perform division tasks in mathematics.
The ASER report also states that 25.3 per cent of students studying in government schools of Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 were able to perform division tasks, followed by 26.3 per cent in 2022 and 28 per cent in 2024.
Besides, the report states that the number of out-of-school boys and girls remains low in Jammu and Kashmir, even in the age group of 15-16 years.
“Data from ASER show that even those in the age group beyond 6-14 have high enrolment levels,” it reads.
Pertinently, the sampling for the survey was based on the selection of 30 random villages in each district and 20 households in each village. It also surveyed all children aged 3-16 in each household and assessed all children aged 5-16. The sampling method has remained consistent over time. (KNO)
