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Assessing literacy and numeracy among primary school students: A pilot survey in rural Bangladesh

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  • Richards, John
  • Islam, Mohammad Shahidul

Abstract

Bangladesh dramatically increased its primary school completion rate over the last decade. However, there exist serious concerns about the level of learning among students who do complete. This article analyzes a pilot survey, conducted in a northern rural district, using procedures pioneered by ASER Centre in rural India. The survey measures ability to read and solve mathematical problems at the Grade 2 Bangladesh curriculum level among students in grades 1 to 5. The sample includes students from 18 schools: government-run, NGO-run, and fee-paying privately run. Using the ASER proxy, the percentage of Grade 3 students found to be “working at grade” for reading is 30% and for mathematics, 18%. NGO schools attract disproportionately more lower socio-economic students than do government schools. Academic performance is similar in both school types. The article discusses methodological problems in assessing reading and mathematics ability.

Suggested Citation

  • Richards, John & Islam, Mohammad Shahidul, 2018. "Assessing literacy and numeracy among primary school students: A pilot survey in rural Bangladesh," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 55-63.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:61:y:2018:i:c:p:55-63
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2017.12.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richards, John & Vining, Aidan R., 2015. "Universal primary education in low-income countries: The contributing role of national governance," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 174-182.
    2. Dubeck, Margaret M. & Gove, Amber, 2015. "The early grade reading assessment (EGRA): Its theoretical foundation, purpose, and limitations," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 315-322.
    3. World Bank, 2018. "World Development Report 2018 [Rapport sur le développement dans le monde 2018]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 28340, December.
    4. Pratham, 2015. "Annual Status of Education Report (Rural) 2014," Working Papers id:6398, eSocialSciences.
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