Mixed schoolbag: Attendance up, but digi-learning uneven

India's education landscape in 2024 showed mixed progress, with marginal improvements in school attendance, but uneven digital literacy among students. There were notable disparities in attendance and smartphone access across states. The decline in underage enrolment is likely to positively impact long-term learning outcomes.

NEW DELHI: India's education landscape in 2024 showed mixed progress in key areas such as school attendance, digital literacy, and the reduction in underage enrolment, according to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024. While overall school attendance had improved marginally, digital literacy among students remains uneven, and there was a noteworthy decline in the proportion of underage children enrolling in govt schools. Student attendance in govt schools had steadily increased since 2018.

Nationally, attendance in govt primary schools rose from 72.4% in 2018 to 75.9% in 2024.

However, ASER data revealed stark state-wise disparities. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh recorded attendance levels above 85%, whereas states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar lagged with figures around 65%. UP played a crucial role in driving the national increase in attendance, according to the ASER survey.

Digital literacy emerged as a crucial area of focus, yet the findings indicate wide variations across states. Nationally, about 70.2% of boys and 62.

2% of girls aged 14-16 could access a smartphone for digital tasks. The survey assessed children on basic digital skills such as setting an alarm, browsing for information, and locating a video on YouTube. Over 75% of those tested were able to complete the tasks successfully.

Gender disparities were evident, with boys outperforming girls in most states except Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, where the gap was either negligible or reversed. Access to smartphones was nearly universal, with 90% of students reporting availability at home, but ownership was significantly lower, particularly among girls. In Bihar, Jharkhand & MP, both access and usage of smartphones were below national average.

"Many students have smartphones at home but lack digital skills," stated an ASER field coordinator. The report highlights both progress and persistent challenges in India's education sector. While improvements in attendance and digital literacy are encouraging, gender gaps and regional inequalities remain concerns.

The decline in underage enrolment marks a significant structural shift, likely to have positive long-term impacts on learning outcomes. As India continues to expand access to education, bridging these gaps will be critical to ensuring equitable and quality learning opportunities for all children..