Study: Education levels in Tamil Nadu vary between poor and average

The children of the village are assembled in a common place, like a temple, community hall, or even the street, and the assessment is carried out in front of the parents and the public,"" Oliver said. The school teachers or the panchayat heads are also informed about the exercise. Oliver said, ""The individual results are recorded in a sheet, which is sent to us, and the average performance of the village is posted on the village's notice board.""

The results, according to Pratham, will make parents, villagers and teachers think about the educational levels, and ways to improve them. ""Once this realization sets in, it's natural that people will work towards improving educational levels. When we spoke to the volunteers, we realized they were keen on bringing in change,"" Oliver said.

M Velumani, a volunteer and first year student of BSc biochemistry, who carried out the assessment in Kuttaipudur village in Mettupalayam, said, ""I was introduced to this assessment by one of my seniors. I did not know that the reading and mathematical competency among children in my village was poor. I am looking forward to the training which will teach us measures to improve education levels.""

Phase one, the assessment of educational levels, is over.