Over 65 per cent of the 1,374 surveyed students between ages 14 and 18 could not solve basic arithmetic division problems and over 25% could not read a complete sentence in English.
The Indian Express spoke to several community health workers and teachers who highlighted challenges, which began with the unavailability of smartphones among many of them and no financial support from the government to buy internet services necessary to fill data through the app.
The questionnaire includes five modules having a total 154 questions ranging from basic family information with income and other details to socio-cultural information and health related behaviours of individuals.
Shrikant Ahirrao, district head of the Maharashtra Rajya Prathamik Shikshak Samiti, said, “This is end of the term for school with some of them being closed for Diwali vacation.”
These organisations have been protesting, alleging that "such measures could mark the end of the public education system" which is essential for underprivileged children.