Madurai ranks third in state-level learning survey, but scores dip in higher classes
Madurai: Madurai district has ranked third in the State Level Achievement Survey (SLAS) 2025, which assessed learning outcomes among gov and aided school students in Classes III, V, and VIII.
The district consistently scored above the state average, particularly in Class III, but showed a steady decline in performance in higher classes.
According to data accessed by TOI, among 11,064 Class III students surveyed across 1,228 schools in Madurai, scores were above 70% in Tamil, English, and EVS. However, Maths lagged at 62.78%, with just 13% of students meeting the learning outcome for comparing numbers based on place value.
"The sample included around 20 students per school and was evaluated independently by trained District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET) college students," said an official from the education department. "Even though performance dipped in higher classes, the district remained above the state average."
In Class V, among 12,074 students from 1,230 schools, the average score in English dropped to 56.8%, with only 40% achieving the benchmark for reading comprehension.
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Maths and EVS hovered around 63%. In Class VIII, scores further declined — 43.3% in English and 44.7% in Maths. Reading comprehension in English dropped to 25%, while performance in higher-order Maths was also weak. Science and Social Science scores stood at 43.08% and 60.92%, respectively.
Teachers cited poor attendance and an unfavourable student-teacher ratio as key factors behind the decline. "Most students come from Tamil-medium backgrounds, so difficulties in English are expected," said a Madurai school headmaster.
"Subjects like Maths require regular attendance, which remains inconsistent since attendance is not mandatory for passing."
Girls outperformed boys, and urban students scored better than their rural peers across all levels. The lack of adequate staffing was also flagged. "Many rural primary schools have just two teachers, often managing multiple classes. The sanctioned second teacher is appointed only when student strength crosses 70," said P Sreenivasan, district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Primary School Teachers Federation.
Alongside Madurai, other southern districts such as Kanyakumari, Tenkasi, and Sivagangai also ranked among the state's top five performers. Kanyakumari led the state with an overall score of 66.5%, with three of its blocks featuring among the best-performing in Tamil Nadu.
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