Bengaluru: Karnataka has slightly improved in the performance grading index (PGI), a score to evaluate the performance of states and districts, released by the Union govt this week. However, despite the improvement from 558 to 595, Karnataka is only in the 31-40% score bracket.PGI evaluates the performance of states and categorises them into different grades. This is based on 70 indicators across six domains: learning outcomes and quality, access, infrastructure & facilities, equity, governance processes, and teacher education and training.Karnataka’s score has improved from 558.1 to 595.6 out of 1,000, helping it go from the grade of Akanshi-1 to Prachesta-3. However, this is nothing much to rejoice, as the state continues to be in 31-40% performance.No states are in the top three grades (91-100%, 81-90% and 71-80%). Chandigarh has attained grade Uttam-3 (61-70%). Punjab, Kerala, Delhi, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu are in the 51-60% bracket. Lakshadweep, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, and Odisha are in the 41-50% bracket, while Karnataka joins 13 other states, including Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, in the 31-40% classification.While Karnataka performs well in many criteria, it loses out in learning outcomes. For instance, Karnataka is in the second-best category in access and third-best category in equity, governance processes, and teacher education. But in learning outcomes, it is in the third-last grade (Akanshi-1), where the grade score is between 50.4 and 74.3. “However, unlike other domains which are relatively easier to comply with, improving learning outcomes takes time and patience,” the report notes.In the PGI report for districts, in Karnataka, Dakshina Kannada, Mysuru, and Udupi are the best performers. Yadgir, Raichur, and Bidar are the worst performers. A large majority of Karnataka districts are in Prachesta-1 (701-760 score range).
Karnataka’s score has improved from 558.1 to 595.6 out of 1,000, helping it go from the grade of Akanshi-1 to Prachesta-3. However, this is nothing much to rejoice, as the state continues to be in 31-40% performance
“That no state is in the top three grades itself is bad enough. Worse, Karnataka is way down below, two notches below Kerala and one below Maharashtra. The learning foundation of students in the state is not strong. It is reflected in several studies like ASER. This is mostly because of the system called Nali Kali that did not give enough emphasis on reading and writing. Children get a learning deficit, which keeps on adding as they move up the grades. Nali Kali is being removed. Now, the state department has to focus on a teach-test-reteach-retest formula,” said AS Seetharamu, former faculty member at the Institute for Economic and Social Change.
