In news

The Government of India has introduced a sample-based programme called the National
Achievement Survey (NAS).

Objective

To provide structured feedback on student learning levels at District, State, and national levels.
These inputs are used for policy planning and designing pedagogical interventions to improve
quality and ensure equity in learning.

About National Achievement Survey

• It is a nationwide survey to assess the learning outcomes and health of the education system.
  The survey was last conducted in 2017 and was scheduled to take place in 2020.
• However, due to the Covid situation, it was postponed until this year (2021).
• It is the largest, nationwide, sample-based education survey conducted across India.
• The Ministry of Education undertakes it.
• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted NAS 2021.
• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) designed an assessment
  framework and tools for NAS-2021.
• It provides a system-level reflection on the effectiveness of school education.
• It collects information on relevant background variables such as school environment, teaching
  processes, and student home and background factors.
• It covers the whole spectrum of schools including Government schools (both State and Central government), Government-aided schools, and Private schools across India.

Significance

• The findings of NAS 2021 will help in diagnosing a systematic understanding of the consequences that prolonged closure of schools has had on the learning of students in terms of their socioemotional and cognitive development.
• Through its diagnostic report cards, NAS findings help in capacity building for teachers, officials involved in the delivery of education.
• Language education and also be imparted with requisite skill sets.