Girls outperform boys in NAT results
Girls sit on a rug to solve a paper during matric exams at a government schools which did not have enough seats for all of the candidates. Photo: express/file
The Pakistan Institute of Education unveiled the 2023 National Achievement Test (NAT) results for Sindh on Friday, covering English, Urdu/Sindhi, Maths, and Science for Grade 4 and Grade 8 students. Girls exhibited a slight lead over boys in Maths and English, with Grade 8 students in rural areas showing overall better performance. Students demonstrated marked improvement in Maths, English, and Urdu/Sindhi.
Dr Muhammad Shahid Soroya, Director General of the Pakistan Institute of Education, highlighted the significance of the NAT results, stressing on collaborative efforts to enhance education nationwide. He emphasised leveraging expertise and resources, including PIE's item banking software, to expand assessments and tailor interventions based on provincial needs.
Zahid Ali Abbasi, Secretary Sindh Education & Literacy Department, praised the initiative and stressed the importance of moving beyond mere marks to foster creativity and critical thinking. He outlined ongoing reforms and initiatives aimed at enhancing teacher capacity and promoting STEM education.
A total of 4,306 students from 277 government schools in Sindh participated in the NAT, providing a comprehensive overview of the educational landscape. The results revealed a higher performance by girls across most subjects and grades.
Analysing by gender, the results indicated that girls outperformed boys in various subjects and grades. Moreover, eighth-grade students in rural schools exhibited better performance, while fourth-grade students in urban areas performed relatively better.
Overall, there was a noticeable improvement in NAT 2023 Maths scores for Grade 8 compared to 2019, although fourth-grade English scores displayed a slight decline. The results underscored progress in educational strategies but also emphasised the need for continued focus on improving math and science scores, particularly in eighth grade.
The findings of the NAT 2023 serve as a benchmark for Sindh's educational progress, indicating achievements and areas for growth. By leveraging these insights, the province aims to strengthen its educational standards and ensure a brighter future for all students through collaborative efforts between educators, parents, and policymakers.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2024.