Context
The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report 2024–25 was released in which it found that India continue facing persistent learning crisis, gender disparities, and systemic leadership challenges.
Key Findings:
1. India’s Learning Crisis:
India boasts over 95% enrolment in primary schools, yet foundational learning outcomes remain dismally low. According to ASER 2023, only 43% of Class 3 students can read a Class 2-level text. Similarly, NAS 2021 revealed that just 25% of Class 8 students demonstrated proficiency in mathematics.
2. Global and National Gender Disparities
· Reading Proficiency Gap: Globally, only 87 boys per 100 girls achieve minimum reading proficiency. This drops to 72 boys per 100 girls in middle-income countries, indicating a reverse gender gap in literacy.
· Leadership Inequality in India: While women constitute 60% of elementary teachers, they hold only 13% of vice-chancellor positions in central universities. This glaring gap between workforce participation and leadership representation highlights persistent gender barriers.
3. Leadership Deficits in School Governance
Despite the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 mandating 50 hours of annual professional training for school leaders, many Indian states lack formal leadership programs for principals.
4. Positive Trends
- Rising Female Workforce: India’s female-dominated elementary teaching workforce is contributing to more gender-sensitive learning environments.
- Policy Frameworks: The NEP 2020 emphasizes structured leadership training, a crucial acknowledgment of its impact on education outcomes.
5. Persistent Challenges
- Digital Divide: The COVID-19 pandemic magnified digital disparities, disproportionately affecting girls and marginalized communities in regions with limited tech access.
Recommendations and Way Forward:
To address the learning crisis and bridge the implementation gap, the GEM Report recommends the following:
1. Strengthen Leadership Pipelines: Institutionalize mandatory certification and training programs for school principals and heads.
2. Promote Women in Senior Roles: Launch leadership acceleration programs targeting women in education to address the leadership gender gap.
3. Focus on Learning Outcomes: Shift from enrolment-focused metrics to learning-centered assessments, leveraging tools like NAS and ASER.
About UNESCO:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture
· UNESCO was founded in 1945 as the successor to the League of Nations’ International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation
· It has 193 member states and 11 associate members, as well as partners in the non-governmental, intergovernmental, and private sector
· Headquartered at the World Heritage Centre in Paris
Conclusion:
The UNESCO GEM Report 2024–25 is a timely reminder that educational equity and quality go beyond enrolment numbers. Systemic leadership development, gender-balanced representation, and effective policy implementation are indispensable for transforming India’s education landscape. With the right reforms, India can bridge the learning gap and realize the full potential of its vast student population.
