Jangaon district in Telangana has caught national attention by performing exceptionally well in the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021. This large-scale assessment, conducted by the Ministry of Education, tested students’ learning outcomes in core subjects across government and private schools in the country. Jangaon stood out with high scores across subjects like Mathematics, Environmental Studies, and Language, proving that consistent efforts at the grassroots level can bring about real change in education.

I felt this topic was worth writing about because in a time when many parts of India are struggling with learning losses and gaps in quality education, Jangaon is showing us a hopeful example. The district’s success is not by chance—it reflects the commitment of local education officials, teachers, and the community. It also tells us that even with limited resources, the right strategies can help schools improve student learning outcomes. With so much focus on education reforms at both national and state levels, stories like Jangaon’s are crucial to understand what’s working and how these practices can be replicated in other districts.

What Is the National Achievement Survey (NAS)?

The NAS is a national-level assessment conducted by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It aims to measure how well students are learning in subjects like Language, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, and Science. The survey covers students in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, and includes both government and private schools.

The 2021 edition of the survey saw participation from over 1.8 lakh schools and more than 34 lakh students across all states and union territories. The survey is not meant to judge individual students but to help policymakers and educators understand gaps in the school system and improve teaching methods.

Why Jangaon’s Performance Stands Out

Jangaon district showed outstanding performance in the NAS 2021 results. Here are a few key highlights:

• The district secured the top position in Telangana in terms of learning outcomes
• Students performed above the national average in most subjects, especially in Mathematics and Language
• Class 3 and Class 5 students from government schools outperformed peers from many private schools in the same region
• The district’s overall performance placed it among the top-performing districts in the country

What makes this result more impressive is that Jangaon is not a metro or a major city district. It is largely rural, with a mix of government and aided schools catering to a diverse student base. The success highlights how strong planning, monitoring, and training can transform learning outcomes even in non-urban areas.

Key Factors Behind the Success

The credit for Jangaon’s performance goes to multiple efforts carried out at the district level. Some of the strategies include:

• Regular teacher training programmes focusing on child-centric pedagogy
• Use of digital tools and tech-based learning in classrooms
• Strong school leadership by headmasters and district education officials
• Monthly monitoring of student progress through baseline and formative assessments
• Active community involvement through School Management Committees (SMCs)

Teachers in the district were not just trained once—they were given continuous academic support and mentoring. Instead of focusing only on syllabus completion, schools worked to improve conceptual understanding and practical skills.

What Can Other Districts Learn from Jangaon?

Jangaon’s journey is a lesson in how focused, ground-level interventions can bring visible change. Here are some learnings:

• Empowering teachers through regular training leads to better classroom delivery
• Involving parents and the local community improves student attendance and accountability
• Monitoring student learning regularly helps schools respond quickly to academic gaps
• Decentralised planning, where school heads and cluster resource persons have ownership, works better than top-down orders

It’s important to note that these changes didn’t happen overnight. It took several years of consistent work, leadership from education officers, and cooperation from schools and families.