State Educational Achievement Survey: A Comprehensive Assessment for Holistic Development

State Educational Achievement Survey: In an endeavor to evaluate the educational landscape in the State, a massive assessment is set to take place. As many as 2,93,615 students will undergo rigorous testing in language and Mathematics in the State Educational Achievement Survey, which is scheduled for Friday. This survey, conducted by PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), is a national assessment center set up under the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Its primary objective is to gauge the learning competencies of students in Classes III, VI, and IX.

The Scope of the Survey

The ambit of this assessment is vast, with students from 10,789 schools participating, including those from government, aided, CBSE, ICSE, Kendriya Vidyalaya, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. This survey serves a dual purpose – it is both a precursor to a national survey slated for the next year and a standalone effort to bridge the gaps in learning, offer classroom interventions, and facilitate teacher development.

The duration of the assessment varies according to the class. Students from Class III will be tested for 60 minutes, Class VI for 75 minutes, and Class IX for 90 minutes, making it a comprehensive evaluation of their abilities.

A Large-Scale Initiative

The scale of this survey is indeed impressive. For Classes III and VI, the sample size exceeds one lakh students, with 1,03,094 and 1,00,224 students, respectively. In Class IX, the number is slightly lower, at 90,297 students.

English and Malayalam are the predominant languages in which the survey will be conducted, with 2.15 lakh students appearing for the assessment in English and over 76,000 in Malayalam. Additionally, there will be a smaller number of students taking the test in Tamil and Kannada, around 1,000 and 700, respectively.

Preparation and Familiarization

In an attempt to familiarize the students with the format of the survey, two trials have been conducted in schools by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). This step is crucial since primary students are not accustomed to multiple-choice questions, and during the National Achievement Survey in 2021, students faced difficulties due to their unfamiliarity with the marking process.

Oversight and Execution

The survey will be closely monitored by approximately 12,000 field investigators who will be responsible for invigilating the test in schools. They will distribute Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets to the students, guide them on how to mark their responses, and ensure the transfer of responses from the Class III students’ question booklets to the OMR sheets. The training for these field investigators is underway and is expected to conclude shortly.

To ensure smooth execution, 536 field coordinators will be present to observe and assist the field investigators, offering necessary guidance to the school authorities.

Coordinated Effort

At different levels, various organizations play vital roles in coordinating and conducting the survey. The Samagra Shiksha Kerala is overseeing the conduct of the examinations, while the SCERT is responsible for coordinating the academic activities. The results of this comprehensive survey are anticipated to be available by January, providing valuable insights into the state of education in the region.

In conclusion, the State Educational Achievement Survey is a substantial initiative aimed at assessing the educational competencies of students at different levels. It is not just an evaluation but a platform to identify and bridge learning gaps, making it a vital step towards the holistic development of students in the state.

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