ASER 2023 Report Unveils Educational Crisis: 32.6% Dropout Rate Among 18-Year-Olds, 25% Struggle with Basic Reading

The ASER 2023 report underscores a pressing need to address foundational education gaps, gender inequalities, and the digital divide.

Around 25% of youth in the age group of 14-18 still cannot read a Std II level text fluently in their regional language. While, more than half struggle with division (3-digit by 1-digit) problems. Only 43.3% of 14-18-year-olds are able to do such, states Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 released today.

The report states that a little over half can read sentences in English (57.3%), of those who can read sentences in English, almost three quarters can tell their meanings (73.5%). ASER 2023 mentions: “Across enrollment categories, females (76%) do better than males (70.9%) in reading a Std II level text in their regional language. In contrast, males do better than their female counterparts in arithmetic and English reading.”

In a sweeping survey spanning 28 districts across 26 states, the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, themed 'Beyond Basics,' exposes critical disparities in the educational and digital landscape for Indian youth aged 14-18.

Educational Landscape:

Despite an overall enrollment rate of 86.8%, the survey uncovers a concerning 32.6% dropout rate among 18-year-olds, significantly higher than the 3.9% observed for 14-year-olds.

Arts/Humanities dominates educational choices at 55.7%, with only 5.6% of youth opting for vocational training, predominantly in short courses.

Foundational Skills Challenge:

Shockingly, a quarter of youths struggle to fluently read a Std II level text in their regional language. Basic division problems (3-digit by 1-digit) pose a hurdle for over half of the surveyed individuals.

Gender Disparities Persist:

While females outshine males in reading proficiency (76%), they lag in arithmetic and English skills. A notable 40.3% of males engage in work outside household chores, compared to 28% of females.

Digital Literacy Concerns:

Despite nearly ubiquitous smartphone ownership (90%), access to computers/laptops is limited to 9%. Males are twice as likely to own smartphones (43.7%) compared to females (19.8%). Only half of social media users are familiar with online safety settings, indicating potential cybersecurity risks.

Digital Task Performance:

Youth performance on digital tasks reveals gender and education level disparities, with males and those with higher education levels outperforming others.

Implications and Urgency:

The ASER 2023 report underscores a pressing need to address foundational education gaps, gender inequalities, and the digital divide. The findings call for urgent interventions to equip the 14-18 age group with essential skills, ensuring they contribute effectively to India's future progress.