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UPSC » Daily News Analysis ‘Personalised software doubled learning rates in Andhra govt schools: Study’ : 9 September

Daily News Analysis ‘Personalised software doubled learning rates in Andhra govt schools: Study’ : 9 September

Table of Content
Background
  • PAL Software: Personalised Adaptive Learning software adjusts content & assessments to a student’s individual level.
  • Introduced in 2019 by Andhra Pradesh Govt. in partnership with ConveGenius.AI for Classes 6–9.
  • Now deployed across 1,200+ government schools in the state.
  • Aim: address learning gaps, improve outcomes by personalising instruction.
The Evaluation Study:
  • Conducted by Development Innovation Lab, University of Chicago (Director: Nobel Laureate Michael Kremer).
  • Partners: Andhra Pradesh Department of School Education & Central Square Foundation.
Key Findings:
  1. Overall Impact
    • PAL doubled learning rates compared to students not using it.
    • Average learning gains = 2.3 times higher.
    • Equivalent Years of Schooling:
      • Girls: +2.31 years.
      • Boys: +1.54 years.
  2. Usage & Learning
    • Avg usage: 35.3 hours/student over 17 months.
    • More usage = higher gains. Each extra hour/year → +0.06 equivalent years of schooling.
    • Girls used PAL more → higher gains than boys.
    • Smaller classes = better access to tablets.
Implementation in Andhra Pradesh:
  • Tablets provided via Samagra Shiksha funds.
  • Replaced two 40-minute math classes/week.
  • Teachers trained to facilitate & monitor usage.
  • Devices stored in labs or with headmasters (if no labs).
Why in News?
  • An evaluation study led by Nobel laureate Michael Kremer found that the PAL software in Andhra Pradesh government schools doubled student learning rates, with girls benefiting the most.