Northeast states lagging behind in science, mathematics: Report

ITANAGAR: A study report of the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi), released recently in Guwahati, showed eight states in the northeast needed to improve their teaching and learning of science and mathematics. 'Regional Plan and Status of Science Education in Schools in North East Region (NER)', was released by joint secretary, DoNER ministry, JK Sinha.

The study was carried out with support of IIT Guwahati and the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (HBCSE TIFR).

As a part of the study, an assessment test in science and mathematics was administered to 5,620 upper primary and secondary students from 119 schools located in 47 districts in all the states of the region.

A benchmark exercise was also undertaken to compare the performance of the northeast schools with a sample group of schools from Maharashtra by covering 542 upper primary and secondary students from 10 schools across six districts of the state. The findings of the study were presented at a regional workshop which was attended by all stakeholders, including members of RMSA, SSA, SCERT, directorate of secondary education and Board of Secondary Education from all the eight states, NEC and the Assam State Technology & Environment Council (ASTEC).

To attain the vision that 'The best way of developing the North Eastern Region is through human resource development, which can be achieved by offering quality education, especially in the science and technology sector', a regional plan is formulated in the study.

The report identified the priorities on which decisions have to be taken by the state government for the implementation of the proposed plan. The report also suggested steps for the improvement of student performance in the upper primary and high school, better utilisation and maintenance of existing facilities like laboratories, libraries, computers and raising public awareness.

The study would be a source of reference for stakeholders involved in the implementation of schemes and policies on the development of science and mathematics
in the northeast.