Improper implementation of RTE leading to unevenness in educational levels: CAG

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India, in its latest report, has found serious shortcomings in implementation of Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act. Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) conducted studies in language, Mathematics and social studies during 2013-14 covering all 30 districts and in six sample districts in 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively.

Analysis revealed that out of 4,426 class-II students in 333 primary schools in Odisha , 16 per cent children could not read letters while 80 per cent children could not read words. Also, 4,320 students of class III secured mean average of 52 per cent marks in language paper. The result of three districts out of sampled six was below state average in Odisha. Of the 4,158 students assessed in class VIII, only one district reached the level of 50 per cent achievement in language against mean average of 48.75 per cent. In Social Studies, 65 per cent of students scored less than 40 per cent. Achievement level in mathematics was below 40 per cent in all six districts, said the report. In West Bengal too, the picture was not that rosy.

A learning level assessment taken up by the School Education Department during 2013 to 2015 through an evaluation programme called " Utkarsha Abhijan" revealed that there was lack of reading and mathematical skills especially in seven to ten districts of the state, including the test checked districts. Results of evaluation indicated that 17.97 per cent of Shisksha kendras students and 54.58 per cent of the Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras students scored C grades scoring below 45 per cent in which 2,37,301 SSK learners (out of 11,88992) and 70,798 MSK learners (out of 3,40,641) had participated. In the state of Himachal Pradesh, a survey to assess the enhancement in students learning achievement and progress undertaken by the SPD, SSA during 2013-16 was conducted for Hindi, English, Maths and Environmental Science.

Comparative achievement of children over the period of three years (2013-16) vis-a-vis baseline survey (start of academic session 2013-14) showed that there was increase in learning levels in respect of primary classes whereas in upper primary classes VI and VII , there was decrease in learning level by 17 and 7 per cent. The state of Chhattisgarh too was surveyed. In September 2013, the state government launched Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Shiksha Gunavatta Abhiyan to improve the quality of education and deputed officials of various departments of the state to survey the schools through questionnaires. Out of total 53,269 schools in the state, 43, 529 schools were covered under the programme as of March 2015.

Only 25 per cent of the total schools have achieved Grade "A" and three fourth of schools were under grades B, C and D needing improvement in quality education.