The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023, released on Tuesday, highlights several key findings about the state of children's education in rural India. One of the key insights is that over 82% of children aged 14-16 are proficient in using smartphones, but only 57% are leveraging them for educational purposes. This underscores a gap in the use of technology for learning despite widespread access.

Additionally, the report revealed that the percentage of underage children in Class 1 has reached its lowest level ever at 16.7% in 2024, indicating a positive trend in age-appropriate school enrolment. The survey also showed that recovery from the pandemic-induced learning losses has been achieved, with primary class learning levels surpassing those in previous years.

The ASER report also noted that government school enrolment has nearly returned to 2018 levels, although the increase in enrolments during the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have reversed. On a positive note, the report showed that 86.8% of children aged 14-18 are currently enrolled in educational institutions, with the majority choosing the humanities stream.

What is the ASER Report?
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) is a nationwide citizen-led household survey that tracks the educational status of children in rural India. Conducted annually until 2014 and then on an alternate-year cycle, the report collects data on school enrolment and children’s basic reading and arithmetic skills. It has expanded over the years to include various aspects of schooling and learning in rural areas, providing valuable insights for policymakers and educators.