Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024

January 29, 2025

The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 has revealed findings regarding education in rural India. The report marks improvements in learning levels and shifts in school enrolment patterns. Conducted by the NGO Pratham, the survey reached over 649,000 children across 605 rural districts.

Overview of ASER

ASER is a comprehensive household survey that tracks children’s schooling and learning in rural India.
First launched in 2005, it has evolved to assess not only enrolment but also foundational reading and arithmetic skills.
The survey operates on an alternate-year cycle since 2014, allowing for a detailed analysis of educational trends.

Key Findings on Enrolment

The ASER 2024 report indicates a decline in government school enrolment, returning to 66.8%, similar to levels seen in 2018. This follows increase during the COVID-19 pandemic when enrolment surged to 72.9%.
Private school enrolment, however, has been on the rise, reflecting a shift in educational preferences.

Digital Literacy Among Youth

A notable addition to the ASER 2024 report is the focus on digital literacy. It found that 82.2% of children aged 14-16 know how to use a smartphone. However, only 57% utilise it for educational purposes. This indicates a gap between access to technology and its effective use for learning.

Recovery from Learning Losses

The report reveals a full recovery from pandemic-induced learning losses.
The percentage of Class 3 children reading at the expected level has risen to 27.1%.
Similarly, Class 5 children reading at a Class 2 level increased to 44.8%.
This recovery is attributed to various educational reforms, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Attendance Rates and Classroom Dynamics

Attendance rates for both students and teachers in government schools have improved.
Student attendance rose to 75.9% in 2024 from 73% in 2022. Teacher attendance increased to 87.5%.
The report also marks the prevalence of multigrade classes, with number of schools having fewer than 60 students enrolled.

Gender Disparities in Education

The ASER report indicates a gender gap in smartphone ownership.
While 36.2% of boys reported owning a smartphone, only 26.9% of girls did.
This disparity raises concerns about equal access to educational resources and digital literacy.

State-wise Performance

The report notes that states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have shown remarkable recovery in learning levels. Some states have even surpassed pre-pandemic learning metrics, indicating varying levels of educational progress across the country.

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