PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024, India’s largest national educational survey, is set to take place on December 4, 2024, with over 23 lakh students from across the country participating. This assessment, administered by the National Assessment Centre (PARAKH), aims to evaluate the academic competencies of students in Grades 3, 6, and 9 in over 88,000 schools across 782 districts. The survey will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of India’s school education system and is aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which focuses on enhancing the quality and inclusivity of education.
The survey will assess students’ understanding of key subjects such as Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and “The World Around Us” (a subject focussed on environmental awareness). The results will be used to inform educational reforms and guide future policy decisions. With a comprehensive methodology that combines paper-based assessments and modern OMR technology, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 is not just an evaluation of student performance, but a crucial step towards improving the educational landscape for millions of students across India.
PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024: Key Objectives of the National Educational Assessment
The primary goal of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan is to assess the learning outcomes of students and provide an in-depth evaluation of the overall state of education across the country. The results will inform future educational policies and reforms, enabling data-driven decisions to improve India’s education system. The survey aims to:
• Evaluate students’ competencies in core subjects.
• Provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the educational system at the national, state, and district levels.
• Aid policymakers in designing and implementing effective educational reforms.
Who Will Participate in PARAKH 2024?
As already mentioned, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 will involve more than 23 lakh students from Grades 3, 6, and 9, drawn from a diverse range of over 88,000 schools across 782 districts. This includes government schools, government-aided schools, Central government schools, and privately recognised institutions, ensuring comprehensive national representation of India’s educational landscape.
Parakh 2024: Structure and Format of the Assessment
The PARAKH survey will assess students’ competencies in different key subjects across various grades:
• Grade 3: Foundational competencies (90 minutes)
• Grade 6: Language, Mathematics, and “The World Around Us” (TWAU) (90 minutes)
• Grade 9: Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science (120 minutes)
The assessment will use a combination of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and other formats, employing Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) technology for efficient data collection. This approach blends traditional paper-based methods with modern technology, ensuring a streamlined and accurate process.
Importance of PARAKH for India’s Education System
PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 plays a pivotal role in understanding and evaluating India’s education system. By focusing on competencies rather than rote memorisation, it aims to offer a clear picture of student learning at various educational stages. The survey’s data-driven insights will drive:
• Competency-based education: Ensuring that educational policies focus on real-world skills and learning outcomes.
• Informed policymaking: The survey will help shape reforms based on empirical data, ensuring that changes are grounded in actual classroom conditions.
• Alignment with NEP 2020: The assessment reflects the NEP 2020’s emphasis on holistic, equitable, and inclusive education for all students.
How Will the Results of PARAKH Impact Students and Schools?
The results from the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 will provide critical insights into the educational health of India’s schools. Since the survey focuses on systemic evaluation, it will not rank individual schools or students. Instead, it will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the education system as a whole. These results will:
• Guide targeted interventions at the district and state levels to address areas of concern.
• Help teachers and administrators adapt teaching strategies based on real data.
• Provide valuable feedback to policymakers for crafting reforms that benefit all students.
PARAKH 2024: Preparation Tips for Students
Although PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan is not a traditional examination, students should continue their regular studies in the assessed subjects—Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Here are some preparation tips:
• Review core concepts: Students should focus on understanding key concepts in subjects like Language and Mathematics, as these form the core of the assessment.
• Practise critical thinking: Since the survey focuses on assessing competencies and understanding, students should practice problem-solving and application-based learning.
• Stay calm and confident: PARAKH aims to assess overall learning and system effectiveness, so students should approach it as an opportunity to showcase their learning.
• Practise Sample Papers: Find the question papers for Grade 3, Grade 6 and Grade 9.
PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024: Who Are Involved?
The successful implementation of PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 relies on the collective efforts of a diverse network of educational functionaries at national, state, and district levels. These include administrators from the National Assessment Centre (PARAKH), NCERT, and CBSE, alongside 180+ state-level coordinators, 3,128+ district-level coordinators, and field investigators.
At the grassroots level, district-level coordinators and field investigators ensure that the survey is carried out smoothly in each school, overseeing data collection and student participation. State-level coordinators, such as directors of SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) and associates from Samagra Shiksha, play a crucial role in coordinating survey activities across the states. This collaborative effort ensures that every aspect of the survey is managed efficiently, from logistics to the compilation of results, making it a nationwide initiative aimed at improving the educational landscape for millions of students.
Role of Teachers and Educational Institutions in PARAKH
Teachers and educational institutions play an essential role in the successful implementation of the PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024. They are responsible for ensuring that students are well-prepared for the assessment and for providing crucial feedback through questionnaires about the teaching environment. Institutions will:
• Help prepare students: Teachers will continue to foster a competency-based learning environment, encouraging students to engage with core subjects.
• Ensure smooth participation: Schools will manage logistics and ensure that all students are ready to participate in the survey.
• Contribute to data collection: Schools will provide contextual data through Teacher, School, and Student Questionnaires (TQ, SQ, PQ), offering insights into the educational environment.
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