ASER Centre
Evidence for actionCITIZEN-LED, HOUSEHOLD BASED ASSESSMENTS AROUND THE WORLD
Together, these initiatives reached more than a million children in 2013
The ASER model, that incorporates citizen-led, household-based assessment initiatives have been implemented in several Asian and African countries. Using basic reading and arithmetic tasks, these countries have begun to assess for themselves what their children are able to do.
This initiative, which was first launched in India in 2005, where it is known as ASER (The Annual Survey of Education Report), has grown organically and spread across other countries over the period of a decade, leading to the formation of the PAL Network.
The People’s Action for Learning Network (PAL Network) is a community of fourteen countries working across three continents to assess the basic reading and numeracy competencies of all children, in their homes, through annual citizen-led assessments. This document provides an overview of the learning levels of children enrolled in grade 5 in the member countries.
The fourteen countries within the PAL Network collectively test more than one million children every year in basic reading and numeracy competencies.The PAL Network Secretariat, with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya was established in February 2015.
In India and Pakistan, the exercise is called ASER (which means "impact"), in East Africa it is called Uwezo (which means "capability"). The Mali effort is named "Beekungo" (meaning "we are in it together") and in Senegal it is called Jangandoo (meaning "learn together"). In 2013 alone, these citizen based large-scale assessments covered over one million children in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
This document on 'Citizen-led basic learning assessments for children' provides a brief overview and side-by-side comparison of the scale, scope, and key findings of these initiatives. For more information on these assessments watch the video and click on the links below for information on the assessments in particular countries. If you are interested in learning about how to conduct an assessment in your country, write to us at contact@asercentre.org.
EVERY CHILD COUNTS (AND READS)...watch a 12-minute video on citizen-led, household-based assessments
Watch the version with French subtitles here.
ASER INDIA
ASER has been active in India since 2005. Since 2008, ASER Centre has also engaged actively with the groups below who are carrying out similar assessments in their own countries. More information about ASER Centre and the ASER survey is available on the links elsewhere on this website.
ASER PAKISTAN
ASER Pakistan has been carried out since 2009 in collaboration with the South Asian Forum for Education Development (SAFED). This initiative replicates the ASER tool development, survey and sample design process and covers all rural districts of Pakistan. Go to the ASER-Pakistan website
Uwezo in KENYA, TANZANIA AND UGANDA
In East Africa, this effort is called "UWEZO" which means 'capability'. Following the ASER model, countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have conducted education surveys on the learning levels of children in their respective countries. Visit the Uwezo website
Beekungo in MALI
In Mali , this initiative is known as Beekungo which means ' we are in it together '. 2012 was the first year for this survey in Mali Read more on Beekungo in Mali (in French).
Jangandoo in SENEGAL
In Senegal, this initiative is known as Jangandoo, which means 'learn together'. In 2012, about 1,605 children from four regions in the country were tested as part of the pilot. Children were tested in French, Wolof and Pulaar. Watch a video about Jangandoo here (in French).
Medicion Independiente de Aprendizajes in MEXICO
Mexico became the first Latin American country to adopt the citizen-based, household-led assessment model. The Medicion Independiente de Aprendizajes, or MIA, will roll out in the state of Veracruz in late 2014. Visit the MIA website (in Spanish).
