Kerala to Conduct Statewide Achievement Survey in January to Assess Student Learning

Thiruvananthapuram: The General Education Department will conduct a statewide Achievement Survey in January to assess the learning levels of nearly 25,000 students across government, aided, and private schools following the State syllabus.

This survey is modelled on the National Achievement Survey (NAS), which was held last December for students of Classes III, VI, and IX. Since there will be no national survey this year, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has decided to carry out the exercise at the state level.

While the NAS tested students in Classes III, VI, and IX, officials are considering whether to change the grades for this survey, but they do not plan to increase the number of grades assessed.

The students will be evaluated in four subjects: language, mathematics, science, and social science. To prepare, SCERT is developing model question papers to help students get familiar with the format.

Officials say the survey is essential to understand students’ strengths and weaknesses, especially in mathematics and social science, which many students find challenging.

Meanwhile, SCERT and Samagra Shiksha Kerala (SSK) are conducting a random review of first-term exam answer scripts as part of ongoing efforts to improve education quality. Teachers will also receive training on how to support students academically.

Some teachers have raised concerns about the first-term exam questions, saying they were confusing for students. However, officials believe this was due to limited time to adjust to the new question style. Orientation sessions and model papers were provided earlier to help teachers and students adapt.

The new question papers focus on comprehension and problem-solving rather than straightforward answers. Officials are confident that students will get used to this approach after a few more assessments.

The results of the survey will help identify subjects where students excel and areas that need extra attention, aiding the department in planning effective improvements.