Gujarat Education Ranked Among India’s Worst in PARAKH 2024 Report

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — In a shocking revelation that has jolted the education system of Gujarat, the PARAKH National Survey 2024 released by the Education Department of the Government of India has placed the state among the bottom 10 states in terms of educational performance. Despite crores being spent annually and tall claims of reforms, Gujarat has failed to secure a position in the top 10, instead slipping into the list of low-performing states.

The findings, as per a media report, expose the widening gap between investment and impact in Gujarat’s school education sector, raising urgent questions about accountability and governance.

A Wake-Up Call for Gujarat

The survey assessed more than 21 lakh children across 74,000 schools in 781 districts, testing their knowledge in mathematics, science, language, and social science. Punjab, under Aam Aadmi Party’s rule, emerged as the best-performing state, while Gujarat tumbled into the bottom ranks.

The report highlighted that while Gujarat has fared reasonably well in providing infrastructure like classrooms, drinking water, and toilets, the actual learning outcomes remain “alarmingly poor.”

An education activist from Surat, Jignesh Patel, reacted sharply: “This report is an eye-opener. We have Gunotsav, Praveshotsav, Kanya Kelavani, and crores being spent every year. Yet, our students are failing to compete with even national averages. What is the point of Vidya Samiksha Kendra if it cannot be reflected in real classroom performance?”

Districts Among India’s Worst

The report also paints a grim picture at the district level. Not a single Gujarat district made it to the top 50 in the entire country. On the contrary, several districts have been placed among the worst 50 districts nationally:

Jamnagar – ranked 21st worst-performing district

Gir Somnath – 28th worst

Kheda – 44th

Chhota Udepur – 47th

Porbandar – 48th

Additionally, Dang, Dahod, and tribal areas also performed poorly, especially in Standard 9 assessments.

A school principal from Jamnagar, requesting anonymity, said, “Teachers are demoralised. Every year we are pushed into cosmetic programs, but students are not given proper academic support. The government focuses more on photo-ops than ground reality.”

Vidya Samiksha Kendra Under Fire

The Gujarat government had established the Vidya Samiksha Kendra (VSK) in Gandhinagar in 2019 with a cost of Rs 5 crore, followed by an annual budget of Rs 60–85 lakh. The center claimed to digitally monitor and analyze school performance.

However, the PARAKH report has raised serious questions about its effectiveness. Critics allege that the Kendra has become a “white elephant.”

A senior teacher from Ahmedabad said, “Sitting in Gandhinagar and conducting video conferences is not education reform. The software may be worth crores, but if it cannot improve learning levels, it is worthless.”

Teachers Express Anger

The report has gone viral in teacher circles, sparking widespread anger. Many argue that despite education being one of the highest budgeted departments in Gujarat, the outcomes are embarrassing.

A teacher from Gir Somnath vented frustration: “We have been saying this for years. The system is broken. Teachers and students both suffer, while officials sitting in Gandhinagar pat themselves on the back with PowerPoint presentations.”

Failure Despite Crores Spent

The findings expose a contradiction—while Gujarat spends heavily on infrastructure and digital monitoring, student learning remains stagnant. Experts argue that the overemphasis on bureaucratic systems and event-based programs has taken away focus from classroom teaching and teacher training.

An education researcher said, “PARAKH 2024 is not just a report card—it is a mirror for Gujarat. If immediate corrective steps are not taken, the state risks creating a generation unprepared for the future.”