One in 5 in Mehsana district not enrolled in any school or college

ASER 2023 ‘Beyond Basics’ report puts the spotlight on the 14-18 age bracket in rural India, a group that was also the focus of ASER 2017. On choosing Mehsana in Gujarat, Pratham Programme Officer in Gujarat Renu Seth told The Indian Express, “Mehsana was surveyed because it is more logistically feasible than others. In 2017 too, the same district was covered. Whenever possible, we cover the same district though this is not representative of the entire state.”

As per the report, 13.8 per cent of those in the 14-16 age category in Mehsana are not enrolled in schools or colleges. At 19.5 per cent, such girls are more than double than that of the boys (7.7 per cent). About 23 per cent of boys and 19 per cent of girls worked for more than 15 days in the last month, beyond the housework.

On average in the 14-18 age category, 22.7 per cent of youth or 1 in 5 are not enrolled in any school or college. This includes 26.1 per cent of girls and 19.2 per cent of boys. The report further reveals that 11.6 per cent youth in the 14-16 age group “could not read a Class 2 level text”. Further, 47 per cent failed to do a basic mathematical calculation involving division, and 37.3 per cent could not read sentences in English.

In the 17-18 age category, 14.8 per cent of youth “failed to read Class 2 level text”, and 51.8 per cent failed to do division; 34.1 per cent failed to read simple sentences in English.

Around 65 per cent of girls could read instructions and understand and answer at least three out of four questions that were asked to them, against 76.6 per cent of boys in the 14-16 years age group.

Among the sample of over 1,300 youth, a section of both girls (14.8 per cent) and boys (15.2 per cent) aspire to be in the police. However, while only 1.4 per cent of boys said they want to have their own or family enterprise, 22.7 per cent of girls and 19 per cent of boys said they do not know what their work aspiration is.

Nearly 96 per cent youth in the 14-16 age group have a smart phone at home whereas 96.7 per cent can use it. However, only 66.7 per cent of them did at least one education-related activity online in the reference week whereas 92 per cent used any social media.

Referring to these findings, Seth said, “The report raises discussion points more than sharing data as to what the youth wants who will finally be the workforce. The hike in smartphone users has increased exponentially since 2018 which is a big opportunity for guiding us for young people. Though I am discounting the disadvantages of its use like entertainment this is one finding we cannot ignore.”

Similar trends were revealed in the 17-18 age group with 97.8 per cent of them having a smartphone and could use it. But only 56 per cent used the device for at least one education-related activity online in the reference week.