ASER 2023 unveils stark realities of education, digital access skills among Anantnag youth

Srinagar, Jan 17: The latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER)-2023 has come up with comprehensive insights into the educational landscape of Anantnag district in south Kashmir and put forth stark realities of education, digital access and skills among the youth in the age group of 14 to 18 years.

The survey titled “Beyond Basics” released on January 17 in New Delhi, delves into key aspects, including enrollment status, learning abilities, and digital access among the youth of Anantnag district.

The ASER team has reached out to 1200 households of 60 villages in Anantnag district and surveyed the 836 youth-male 353 and 483 females in the age group of 14-16 years.

Also, in the age group of 17-18 years, the ASER team has surveyed 231 male and 343 female youth. Around 1410 youth in the age group of 14-18 years have been surveyed by the ASER team. In terms of the enrollment and work status of youth in the age group of 14-16 years of age in Anantnag, the data extracted from the ASER 2023 survey has revealed that around 3.9 percent youth- male: 1.7% and female 5.5% are not enrolled in the schools.

The survey has reported that 61 percent youth-male: 59.5% and female 62.1% youth in the same age group are enrolled in government institutions while 0.4 percent youth are enrolled in vocational training or other courses. The ASER findings have revealed that around 76.5 percent youth in the age group of 14-16 years can read at least standard 2nd level text while 39.3 percent youth can do division and 87.2% youth can read sentences in English.

The findings have revealed that the 49.5 percent students can calculate time while 61.6 percent students can add weights and 90.4% and 56% youth can measure easy and hard lengths respectively.

"55 percent students in the age group of 14-16 years are able to apply the unitary method while 70.6% percent can manage a budget, 42.5 know how to apply discounts and 12.6 percent know how to calculate repayments," read the ASER-2023 findings.

About the digital access of youth in 14-16 years of age group, the ASER findings have revealed that 96.8% students own a smartphone at home while 97.9% can use it and 79% are engaged in at least one education-related activity online.

The ASER findings have further revealed that 19% youth in the age group of 17-18 years are not enrolled in a school or college while 72.2% percent youth are enrolled in government institutions and 2.3% youth are enrolled in vocational training or other courses.

"Around 79 percent youth in the age group of 17-19 years are able to read at least standard II text while 30.5% students are able to do division and 86% students can read sentences in English," the report reads.

The survey has further revealed that 98% students in the 17-18 years of age group own a smartphone and are able to use it as well.

"71% students of the same age group are engaged in at least one education-related activity online while 94.4% students have used any social media in the reference week," the survey findings have revealed.