ASER and National Education Policy
The regular annual release of ASER findings has brought the issue of basic learning to the centre of discussions on elementary education. Following the national release in mid January each year, ASER findings are widely disseminated both in the media and directly by ASER Centre in a variety of ways and at many different levels.
ASER 2020 Wave 1 findings have been cited in the latest Economic Survey 2020-21, in the chapter on Social Infrastructure, Employment and Human Development, page 333.
ASER data has been extensively quoted in parliamentary questions over the years. Click here to access a compilation of all the questions on education that used ASER data between 2006 and April 2017.
ASER 2014 findings have been extensively mentioned in the latest Economic Survey 2014-2015, in the chapter on Social Infrastructure, Employment and Human Development, pages 132-133.
ASER is mentioned in the approach paper to the 12th Five year Plan (2012 - 2017), page 12.
ASER findings were quoted in the chapter on Human Development in the Economic Survey of India report 2011-2012, pages 322-323 (View Doc) , 2012-2013, pages 285-286 (View Doc) , 2013-2014, pages 244-245 (View Doc) brought out by the Government of India.
ASER findings have been quoted in the chapter on Human Development, Equity and Environment in the Economic Survey 2009-2010, page 311 (View Doc) , 2010 - 2011, page 311 (View Doc)
ASER findings have been quoted in Chapter 20: Education and Skill Development (page 131) of Niti Aayog's draft Three Year Action Agenda, 2017-18 to 2019-20.
The Economic Survey 2016-17, presented in the Parliament on January 31, 2017, cites ASER 2014 data to highlight the low learning outcomes in primary education. ASER findings have been cited in the chapter titled, Review of Economic Developments, pages 162 and 163.
The 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017), chapter on Education defines mastery of basic learning as an explicit objective of primary education. It also emphasizes the need for regular assessment to ensure that goals are being met, page 53.
ASER is cited in the Planning Commission's approach paper to the 11th Five Year Plan 2007-12 (View Doc ) and also in the Mid Term Appraisal of the 11th Five Year Plan (page 7). (View Doc )
In 2009, after several years of ASER, the President of India announced the intention of her government to bring out 5 reports annually, including one on education.
For the first time, the 2008 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan guidelines for the district Annual Work Plan included "enhancement of learning achievements" as a concrete objective. An additional line item was included in the AWP to enable districts to develop and finance relevant programs and activities.
The government is in the process of formulating a new education policy after almost 3 decades. The Report of the Committee to give recommendations for the new policy has recently been released. The Report cites ASER in several places (pages 25, 26, 27, 61)
Impact of ASER
Click here to view year-wise mentions of ASER in the Parliament, the Planning Commission of India, the Finance Ministry and International Multilateral Agencies.
ASER & State Education Policies & Programmes
ASER findings have affected state educational policy and practice in several ways.
In July 2014, the Himachal Administrative Service Examination, conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (HPPSC), carried a question on the ASER 2012 report findings. Click here to view the question.
- The assessment of learning outcomes has become a regular part of educational systems in many states across the country.
- Many states in India are now using ASER-like tools to measure progress.
- Programmes to improve learning outcomes have also been initiated in many states.
For example, In Rajasthan, the state government is addressing the importance of instruction in early grades. The “Aao Padhe Hum” programme launched in November 2009 aims to ensure that all students attain Std 1 and Std 2 level competencies. ASER is quoted in the SSA module prepared by the Rajasthan Council for Elementary Education.
In some states, government educational institutions have partnered with ASER to conduct the survey. ASER 2014 partnered with almost 250 District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) in 8 states. In Andhra Pradesh, students from the District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) conducted ASER for the eighth year in a row.
