Students’ average performance in language, mathematics in J&K below national average

Srinagar, Jul 27: A latest survey conducted to assess the performance and competence of students has pointed out that the performance of students in J&K schools was recorded below the national average.

The survey was conducted by PARAKH, NCERT under the aegis of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, to understand the baseline performance in the development of competencies at the end of the foundational, preparatory, and middle stages at the district level for class 3rd, 6th and 9th respectively.

The survey was conducted in 2071 schools in J&K in which 8789 teachers and 44050 students participated as well. While assessing the competence and performance of class 3rd students in language and mathematics, it has come to fore that the average performance was lower than the national average with a gap of seven percent in language and six percent in Mathematics.

The survey has pointed out the average performance of 57% of students in Language against the national average of 64 pecent.

In mathematics the performance of students was 54 pecent against the 60 pecent at national level. “Boys as well as girls scored 7 pecent lower than the national average in language while boys and girls scored 6 percent lower than the national average,” it reads. As per the survey, the students in rural schools scored eight percent low in Language and seven percent low in Mathematics compared to the national average.

“Students from urban schools scored 2 pecent lower in language and 3 percent lower in Mathematics compared to the national average,” it reads.

The survey has pointed out that 51 percent students of class 3rd read short stories and comprehend their meaning – by identifying characters, storyline and what the author wants to say- on their own. However the national average in this category has been recorded as 60 percent.

The average performance score of class 6th students in J&K is lower than the national average with a gap of 11 pecent in language and seven percent in mathematics.

As per the survey, the average performance of students in language was 46 percent against the 57 percent at national level while the performance of students in Mathematics was reported as 39 percent against 46 percent at national level.

“In rural schools, students scored 12 percent lower in language, 7 percent lower in mathematics. In urban schools, students scored two percent lower in language, mathematics,” it reads. The survey has pointed out that class 6th students in government schools scored 16 percent lower in language, 11percent lower in Mathematics than the national average.

“In government-aided schools, students scored 20% higher in Language, 32% higher in Mathematics, than the national average,” it reads.

In class 9th, the average performance of the students in language, mathematics, science and social science has been reported lower than the national average with a gap of four percent in language and social while five percent gap has been reported in mathematics and two percent gap in Science.

The average performance of class 9th students in language was reported 50% against 54 at national level while the average performance of students in Mathematics was reported as 32 percent against 37 percent at national level.

The average performance of students in science was reported as 38 percent against 40 at national level and the average performance in social science was reported as 36 percent against 40 percent at national level.

“These learning gaps highlight the need for focused interventions to strengthen students’ skills, refine instructional strategies and provide additional learning support,” the survey reads.

The NCERT survey has suggested that addressing these areas effectively will help improve overall student learning outcomes in J&K UT.

“The findings highlight the need for greater integration of skill education in schools. Policymakers can use this data to introduce diverse skill courses, provide funding and infrastructure support, and raise awareness among students about career opportunities,” it reads.