https://educationtoday.co/blog/blog-details?id=2799&url=ASER-2024-Post-COVID-Recovery-in-Education-but-Many-Students-Still-Struggling-in-Literacy-and-Numeracy *ASER 2024: Post-COVID Recovery in Education, but Many Students Still Struggling in Literacy and Numeracy* The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 reveals promising signs of recovery in foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) after the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite this progress, many students remain behind in essential skills such as reading and arithmetic. The ASER survey, conducted across 605 villages in India, assessed almost 6.5 lakh children between the ages of five and 16. The focus was on their ability to read introductory texts and perform arithmetic tasks, comparing results from the 2024 study to pre-pandemic levels in 2018. Modest Recovery in Literacy and Numeracy The results indicate a slight improvement in schoolchildren's literacy and numeracy skills. However, the progress remains uneven, especially for younger students. In 2018, only 20.9% of Class 3 students enrolled in government schools could read a Class 2 level text. This figure fell to 16.3% in 2022 but has recovered slightly to 23.4% in 2024. Still, this means that nearly 77% of Class 3 students cannot read simple texts in their local language. This trend reflects the significant impact the pandemic had on foundational learning. The results for Class 5 students are similarly concerning. In 2018, 44.2% could read a Class 2 text, but this figure fell to 38.5% in 2022. The recovery has plateaued, with only 44.8% of Class 5 students able to read at this level in 2024. The situation for older students shows more promise. Among Class 8 students, 67.5% could read the Class 2 text, indicating some progress in literacy, although a significant proportion still lagged. Arithmetic Struggles Continue The situation is equally challenging in basic mathematics. Despite slightly improving arithmetic skills, many students can still not perform fundamental tasks. The survey assessed children on skills like recognizing numbers, subtracting double-digit numbers with borrowing, and dividing three-digit numbers by one digit. Among Class 3 students, 66% could not solve fundamental subtraction problems. Although there was some improvement, with Class 5 students showing a modest rise in the ability to solve division problems from 27.9% in 2018 to 30.7% in 2024, nearly 70% of these students are still struggling. For Class 8 students, the improvement in arithmetic was minimal, increasing from 44.1% in 2018 to 45.8% in 2024. These figures highlight the continuing educational gap for many children, particularly in essential skills that form the foundation for more complex learning in later grades. Regional Disparities in Progress The recovery in learning levels varied significantly across different states. Himachal Pradesh and Bihar saw an increase of 4 to 5.9 percentage points in students with basic skills. At the same time, states like Odisha, Haryana, West Bengal, and Jharkhand experienced improvements of between 6 and 9.9 percent. The most significant progress was seen in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, and Mizoram, where there were increases of at least 10 percentage points in the number of children able to read a Class 2 text. These variations suggest that targeted interventions in different regions have had varying degrees of success, and more focused efforts may be necessary in certain areas to bridge the educational gap. School Readiness Programmes and Digital Literacy One reason for the recovery in learning outcomes could be the implementation of school readiness programs in many states. The ASER report notes that over 75% of surveyed schools have introduced a three-month readiness program for incoming Grade 1 students. This initiative aims to equip children with essential skills before formal schooling; the results show positive effects. Another area where improvement is visible is in digital literacy. The report found that 89% of teenagers aged 14 to 16 have access to smartphones at home, with 31.4% owning their own devices. Of those who use smartphones, 57% report using them for educational purposes. The survey also noted that 76% of teenagers use smartphones for social media. Regarding technical skills, most students in this age group are proficient in tasks like setting alarms, browsing for information, and sharing videos on platforms like WhatsApp. However, there is a gender gap in digital literacy, with boys being more aware of smartphone safety features, such as blocking or reporting profiles and making profiles private. Conclusion While the 2024 ASER report highlights a modest recovery in literacy and numeracy, it also underscores the significant challenges that remain. With over 66% of Class 3 and Class 5 students struggling with essential reading and arithmetic, it is clear that more concerted efforts are needed to ensure all students are equipped with the foundational skills necessary for future learning. States that have seen more significant improvements provide valuable insights into successful interventions, and these strategies should be replicated and scaled across the country to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all. *For more details visit* https://youtu.be/xC0VqcAk_XI?si=d-i8vNNosa4J1Xfj https://www.theenn.com/video-411d42902.html