Assam: Only 43% of schools respond to SSA directive to conduct PAT

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The Samagra Shiksha, Assam, is concerned over the low rate of response to its call for organising the Periodic Assessment Test (PAT) for June 2025. Only 43% of the targeted schools across Assam have submitted responses for the Periodic Assessment Test (PAT) for June 2025. Out of a total of 43,716 targeted schools, just 18,666 have responded, raising concerns over sluggish compliance in several districts.

The response to conducting PAT was comparatively higher in 2025. In 2024, only 26% of the schools conducted PAT, leading to consternation in the SSA. According to SSA sources, districts with notably low submission rates include Kamrup-Rural and Golaghat with 32% each, Baksa with 33%, and Nagaon with 34%. In contrast, South Salmara-Mankachar recorded the highest submission rate of 60%, followed by Kamrup Metro (58%), Nalbari, and Karbi Anglong (both at 56%).

Major districts with high numbers of target schools, such as Cachar (2,159 schools) and Barpeta (2,038 schools), showed relatively better performance with 45% and 49% submission rates, respectively.

According to the directive issued by SSA, the PAT was to be conducted in four mediums — Assamese, English, Bodo, and Bengali. The assessment for Classes III to V was scheduled to be held on June 17, while the test for Classes VI to VIII was scheduled for June 16.

PAT helps to track the performance of the students regularly. Teachers find out the gaps in the learning of the students and provide necessary support and adjust their lesson plan accordingly. PATs provide teachers with information about students’ strengths and weaknesses and how they’re progressing over time. This helps teachers improve instruction, set curricular targets, and provide remedial teaching.

SSA sources further said they expect the schools to take proactive measures to increase compliance, especially in the lagging districts, to ensure smooth implementation and assessment under the PAT framework.

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