Himachal Ranks Third in Standard VIII Reading

Shimla : Himachal Pradesh has recorded impressive improvements in education, as per the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024. The state ranked third in Standard VIII reading proficiency with 84.2%, following Mizoram (90.1%) and Kerala (84.5%).
A major achievement was seen in Standard III reading levels, which rose from 28.4% to 47.7%, securing Himachal the top position in this category. The state also excelled in arithmetic skills, with government school students improving from 31.3% to 46.7% in the last two years.

Other key findings from the report include:
Digital Literacy: Himachal ranked third (94.3%) in student smartphone access.
School Infrastructure: 90.4% of schools now have drinking water, and 99% have toilets (90% usable).
Midday Meals: Improvement from 91.1% to 95.5% in schools providing meals.
Library Books: Himachal ranks third (96.3%), after Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Despite these gains, declining enrolment in government schools remains a concern, with a slight drop from 58.9% to 58.6% in the 6-14 age group and a rise in dropout rates (2.2% to 3.0%) for students aged 15-16.

The report highlights that education levels are rebounding post-pandemic, signaling a positive trajectory for learning in Himachal.