Presentation given by Mr. John Kurrien on Cognitive dimensions of high achieving schools at IIT MADRAS during EduFest 2015 - 2nd International conference for school leaders.

1. What Primary School Students are Actually
Learning in our Best Indian Schools:
The Cognitive Dimensions of
High Achieving Schools
Presented at the 2nd International Conference on
High Achieving Schools
IIT- Madras, May 15-16, 2015
Dr. John Kurrien
Director Emeritus, Centre For Learning Resources, Pune
Member, Action for the Rights of the Child, Pune

3. Focus mainly on cognitive learning of Class 4
students and its implications.
Learning outcomes in English, Mathematics, Science
and Social Studies in best schools in India based on
“Quality Education Study” by Wipro and Educational
Initiatives conducted in 2010-11 and a similar smaller
study done in 2006 entitled “Student Learning in the
Metros”
Relevance of study findings to conference
participants.
Focus of Presentation

4. Learning Outcomes of Class 4 Students
in Best Schools - Main Findings
Students perform relatively well in rote-based
questions that required the use of formulae and
familiar procedures learnt in class.
Instead of acquiring concepts, they seem to be
learning to handle a limited number of familiar text-
bookish type questions

5. Learning Outcomes of Class 4 Students
in Best Schools - Main Findings
Students understanding of concepts and ability to
apply them was found to be particularly weak.
Practical competencies such as estimation,
problem solving, general observation and using
good sound language were also fairly
undeveloped.

6. Textbook/Procedural Competence in
Science - Class 4 students
The Earth’s rotation on its axis is the reason for
1. The different seasons
2. Longer days in summer
3. Day and night
4. Eclipses
66% got the right answer (3), an example of a
typically bookish question that Class 4 students and
those in higher classes can handle well.

7. Grammatical Competence – English
Class 4 students
Choose the sentence with no mistakes
1. the taj mahal is in agra - 6%
2. The Taj Mahal is in agra - 6%
3. The Taj mahal is in agra - 6%
4. The Taj Mahal is in Agra – 80%
English grammar is emphasised in the system, and
that is why 80% of students got the answer right

8. Reading Comprehension -Class 8
Why, according to the passage, is Pharaoh
Tutankhamen famous?
“Tutankhamen’s tomb was forgotten until Howard
Carter discovered it----in 1922. The treasures in his
tomb made Tutankhamen perhaps the best known of
the pharaohs.”
1. He died under tragic conditions 8%. 2. His tomb
had many valuables (45%). 3.The walls of his tomb
were thick(8%). The tomb was discovered in
1922(37%).
Poor scores because none of the phrases which
appear in the question appear in the passage

9. Measurement Skills- Class 4
What is the length of the pencil in this picture?

10. Length of Pencil
The problem here is that this question seems to be
a simple one of measurement that they have
practiced in class, and many have jumped to the
expected solution – 6 cms- but wrong answer.
1. 4 cms - 7%
2. 5 cms - 11%
3. 6 cms - 77%
4. 7cms - 3%

11. Main Findings
Learning outcomes of our students in the best
schools in Class 4 are lower than the international
average. On tests that are not rote-based , the
students in Class 6 and 8 are also lower than the
international average.
Misconceptions which are acquired by and in Class
4, often continue in later classes 6 and 8 without
any correction.

12. Cognitive Skills Crisis/ Challenge/ in India
Young people with fundamental cognitive skills in
extreme short supply.
Government and industry acutely aware of this crisis
Cognitive skills evaluated in selection for jobs,
entrance tests for higher education
Internet- Education/All Information

13. High Achieving Schools in India
Need for a Larger Vision
Cannot be limited to outstanding board examination
performance and co-scholastic activities
Need for a larger vision of education which includes
developing a range of cognitive and practical skills
beginning in the early years.