A Comparative Study Of Learning Gaps In The Cognitive Development Of Learners At The Primary Level Based On NAS 2017 And 2021 In Chhattisgarh

Abstract

This research paper presents a comparative analysis of learning gaps in the cognitive development of primary-level students in Chhattisgarh, using data from the National Achievement Survey (NAS) conducted in 2017 and 2021. The study focuses on key learning outcomes in Environmental Studies (EVS), Language, and Mathematics at the Grade III and Grade V level. The findings indicate a noticeable decline in student performance across several cognitive domains, suggesting widening learning gaps over the four-year period. A critical factor contributing to this decline is the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly disrupted regular schooling, reduced instructional time, and widened existing educational inequities. The analysis reveals that Chhattisgarh’s average performance not only declined between the two survey years but also remained below the national average in multiple learning indicators. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted remedial strategies, inclusive digital infrastructure, and policy interventions to bridge the learning gaps and strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy among early-grade learners.