New Delhi: In view of national survey showing a decline in students' reading ability and math skills in primary and middle classes, Kerala has taken a proactive approach to improve the quality of school education.
To support the efforts of the Education Department, Kerala School Teachers' Association (KSTA) has come forward to launch the 'Karuthal 2023' project. In the first phase, the initiative aims to elevate the academic standards of students in 1,000 select schools across the state.
Under the project, special educational packages have been designed to enhance the fundamental capabilities of primary students through additional sessions conducted after regular classes. A workforce of 10,000 teachers affiliated with KSTA will be deployed throughout the state to implement the programme.
The 'Karuthal 2023' project encompasses subject-specific modules in languages, science, mathematics and history, thoughtfully designed to cater to the unique learning requirements of students. Teachers will provide improvisations and additional support in specific subjects for students needing assistance. Beyond elevating academic standards, the initiative strives to foster values of equality and gender justice in young learners right from the early stages of their education. The active engagement of parents and the school community will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful implementation of the project.
The initiative was prompted by surveys indicating a decline in primary education standards across most states.
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER)-2022, released earlier this year, revealed a decrease in the percentage of Class three students in Kerala, who could read at the level of Class two, dropping from 52.1% in 2018 to 38.7% in 2022. The ASER survey also highlighted that only 26-30% of Class five students in the state could perform basic mathematical tasks such as subtraction or division.
Through 'Karuthal 2023', Kerala is taking significant steps to reverse this trend and uplift the academic capabilities of its young learners, emphasizing the importance of quality education in the early stages of schooling. /BI/
