Parliament Question: Assessment of Quality of Education Imparted in Schools

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1208 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 Assessment of Quality of Education Imparted in Schools 1208. Shri Janardan Singh Sigriwal: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has conducted any recent assessment of the quality of education imparted in schools and higher educational institutions in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof including the key findings regarding learning outcomes, teacher quality and infrastructure in Government and private institutions, State/UT-wise; (c) whether the Government has identified any gaps in foundational literacy and numeracy, digital learning and teacher training affecting the quality of education; (d) if so, the details thereof, alongwith the corrective measures taken or proposed under various schemes and programmes to improve the quality of education; and (e) whether the Government has fixed any measurable targets and timelines for improving educational quality in accordance with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) to (e): Education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, with majority of the Schools and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) coming under the purview of States and UTs. On its part, the Ministry of Education is guided by the National Education Policy 2020 which emphasizes holistic development of learners and assessment practices by shifting from rote and summative examinations to regular, formative and competency-based assessment that promotes learning, critical thinking, conceptual understanding and continuous improvement in teaching-learning processes.In pursuance of the recommendations of NEP 2020, the National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), was established by the Ministry of Education on 8th February, 2023. PARAKH lays down norms, standards and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation across schools and monitors the health of the school education system through large-scale assessments such as the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (previously National Achievement Survey), conducted from time to time. The PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan (PRS) 2024 was conducted in December 2024 to measure the baseline performance under NEP 2020 in the development of competencies among students at the end of Foundational, Preparatory and Middle Stages of Education i.e. Grades 3, 6 and 9, respectively. The survey provides district- level evidence on learning outcomes and contextual factors to support evidence-based interventions for improving the quality of school education. Over 21.15 lakh students and 2.70 lakh teachers and school leaders from more than 74,000 schools across 781 districts in all States and Union Territories participated in the survey, making it one of the most extensive assessments of student learning conducted in the country. The findings of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 highlight a significant improvement when compared to NAS 21 scores in foundational literacy and numeracy skills, thereby, reflecting the positive impact of the NIPUN Bharat Mission launched under NEP 2020. In order to identify possible factors affecting learning performance and enables evidence-based interventions to improve learning outcomes, data was also collected on contextual variables such as teacher training, pedagogical approaches and teaching learning material used, home environment and resources, digital access and exposure, school support, school infrastructure and inclusivity, community participation etc, during the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan. National, State and District level reports for PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 are accessible at https://dashboard.parakh.ncert.gov.in/en, a dedicated dashboard designed to disseminate the findings of the assessment. Insofar as higher education is concerned, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) assesses and accredits Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in its quality pursuits and grades them for their achievements. Besides, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) launched in 2015 by the Government of India ranks HEIs based on key parameters such as “Teaching, Learning and Resources,” “Research and Professional Practices,” “Graduation Outcomes,” “Outreach and Inclusivity,” and “Peer Perception”. The ranking is announced every year and published on the NIRF website, which is available to all stakeholders as well as to the general public.The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 provides different timelines, principles and methodology for its implementation. Diverse interventions under various schemes aim to improve quality of education. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha focuses on improvement of quality of education by providing support to all States and UTs for different interventions, like in-service training of teachers and school heads, composite school grant to every school for providing a conducive learning environment, support for children with special needs (CwSN), grants for library, sports and physical activities, support for Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan, Tinkering Labs, ICT and digital initiatives, school leadership development programme, remedial teaching for academically weaker students, introduction of new pedagogical and curricular structure, NIPUN Bharat Initiative, child friendly and inclusive classrooms including ECCE facilities, strengthening of School Management Committees (SMCs) and community led initiatives, opening, strengthening/upgradation of residential schools/hostels, free uniforms to eligible children and free text books at elementary level, transport allowance and undertaking enrolment & retention drives, provision of transport allowance and undertaking enrolment & retention drives. Further, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), one hot cooked meal is provided to the students at elementary level (including Balvatika) in Government and Government-aided schools to take-care of their nutritional requirements and improve attendance. As part of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI), existing schools are being strengthened to showcase all aspects of NEP 2020 and function as exemplar schools. The objective is to enhance quality of education through emphasis on foundational literacy & numeracy, upgradation of infrastructure, inculcation of sensitivity to environmental concerns as well as enhancement of critical thinking and other 21st century skills through holistic, experiential and competency – based learning rather than rote learning. *****