NEWS – The National Achievement Survey (NAS), a large-scale assessment of student learning in India, has been renamed PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024. This annual survey will be conducted on December 4, 2024, and aims to evaluate the educational progress of students across the nation.

PARAKH RASHTRIYA SARVEKSHAN 2024

• Objective: PARAKH aims to create a comprehensive view of educational progress and effectiveness across Indian schools.
• Name Change: Previously known as the National Achievement Survey (NAS), the new title, “PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024,” reflects a redefined focus and approach.
• Target Group: School students from Grades 3, 6, and 9 in government, government-aided, and private schools will participate.
• Subjects Covered: The survey will cover key subjects, including:
  • Language
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Science
  • “The World Around Us”

ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY

• Format of Assessment: The survey uses multiple-choice questions across various subjects.
• Data Collection:
  • Uses Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) technology to simplify data collection and improve accuracy.
  • Involves a combination of paper-based assessments for efficient administration.
• Data Types Collected:
  • Performance Data: Student scores and learning outcomes.
  • Contextual Data: Collected through school, teacher, and pupil questionnaires to provide additional insights into the educational environment.

EVALUATION FOCUS

• System-Level Evaluation: PARAKH assesses schools as complete entities, focusing on broad system-level analysis rather than individual student performance.
• Stages of Education: Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the survey focuses on:
  • Foundational Stage: Basic primary education.
  • Preparatory Stage: Early middle school years.
  • Middle Stage: Advanced middle school education.
• Alignment with International Standards: Modeled on international surveys like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), PARAKH provides a global context to India’s educational progress.

REPORTING AND INSIGHTS

• National, State, and District-Level Reports: PARAKH generates report cards at multiple administrative levels to aid in policy-making and targeted educational reforms.
• Systemic Insights: By assessing schools across districts, PARAKH offers insights into the effectiveness of school systems rather than only student achievement.

ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

• Managing Body: PARAKH is overseen by the National Assessment Center, a unit within the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
• Supervision: The Ministry of Education (MoE) oversees PARAKH to ensure alignment with national educational goals and standards.