‘More enrolment doesn’t ensure progress in quality of education’

LUCKNOW: At least 250 million children across the world were still unable to read, write, or count adequately even after four years of learning at school, said Sasmita Lalit Jena, associate director, World Vision India, at an education conclave here on Thursday.

“In India, the average count of all children in 5th standard who can read a class 2 level text, dropped each year from 2009 to 2012. From 52.8% in 2009, the figure went down to 46.9% in 2012. And it remains virtually the same since 2012, at around 47%,” she said.

She added that progress in quality of education could not rest solely on increase in enrolment figures and felt that the education system needed to evolve.

Deepa Tiwari, joint director, State Council of Educational Research and Training (UP), said that parents should understand their responsibilities. “Even if the parents are not educated, they can at least try and understand what a child wants or what is needed for his better future.”

During the panel discussion Preeti Verma of the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) said that it was important to have an open dialogue with children and make them understand what they need to do for a better future. She said the child helpline number should also be provided to children.

Simha Boneti of World Vision India gave a presentation on the Literacy Boost Model and explained the efforts being done to improve the quality of education.

Speakers said that a 2010 report by the National Council for Teacher Education estimated that an additional 1.2 million teachers were needed to fulfill the RTE Act requirements. Nearly 40% schools are with 1-3 teachers, shows that one teacher deals more than one class.