ASER outcome validates our tough decisions: Edu Minister

Education Minister Rohit Thakur says the positive outcomes in the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 have come as a validation of tough decisions and several initiatives the government has taken to raise the quality of education in the state.

Himachal has fared quite well in the ASER survey – it has been ranked first in reading ability of Class III students and second in the reading abilities of Class V and Class VII students. Also, the state has been ranked second in arithmetic abilities like subtraction and division of Class III and Class V students, respectively. “The ASER report has shown the progress we have made over the last two years. The result of National Achievement Survey is awaited, and we are confident of registering significant improvement there as well,” said Thakur.

Incidentally, the government has closed down 1,094 educational institutions over the last two years, inviting severe criticism from the Opposition. “Our performance in the ASER report has validated the tough decisions we have taken to raise the quality of education. These decisions were not politically motivated. These were taken keeping in mind the best interests of our children,” said Thakur.

Apart from the politically controversial decisions like shutting down over 1,000 educational institutions that had become “unviable” because of poor enrolment, the department took several other decisions like banning teachers transfer mid-session, making cluster schools for resource sharing, starting foreign exposure trips for teachers and students, introducing English as medium of instruction from Class I, teachers training, etc.

“If we have to ensure our children get quality education in government schools, we will have to rise above party politics. We will have to bring in good teachers, stop the circus of transfers and ensure there are no backdoor entries. Besides, we will have to go for consolidation of resources for better results,” the minister said.

The minister said his department was mulling several other measures to further improve quality of education in the state. “We want to have two educational directorates, one dealing with classes up to Class XII and other with higher education. Also, we are working on a transfer policy which will mandate a minimum stay of three years for a teacher at one place,” said Thakur.

The minister is keenly aware of the steady exodus of children from government schools to private schools and several decisions taken over the last two years are aimed at checking it. “We will have to compete with the private sector by providing equally good education if not better,” said Thakur.