Indian education story far from complete; target is 85% literacy, achievable only 70%

Due to the huge disparities existing between urban and rural areas, India is likely to miss the target of 85% literacy by the end of 11th five-year plan.

As per the estimates of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) the country can achieve at the most 70% literacy, as there is huge gap not only in urban and rural but also between population below and above 35 years of age.

But, the ministry of human resource development was quick to refute the Unesco’s finding. “Even the NSSO, the most respected survey in the country has stated the literacy has increased substantially in last few years,” said AK Rath, secretary school education and literacy.

In 2001, the literacy rate had risen phenomenally to 64.84% with a male literacy rate of 75.26% and female literacy rate of 53.67%. The findings are significant, as United Nations has set a goal of education for all by 2015.

However, India is not the only country, which is likely to miss the target. Neighbouring countries, Pakistan and Bangladesh, might also find it difficult to achieve the ‘education for all’ goal set by the UN for 2015.

The UN agency’s finding were released at the Unesco’s regional conference in support of global literacy here on Thursday to discuss the theme ‘Literacy Challenges in South, South-West and Central Asia: Building Partnerships and Promoting Innovative Approaches’.

Inaugurating the conference on Thursday, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi said there were countries that were small in size but have literacy rates of more than 90%, while there were also nations that were contributing heavily to world illiteracy.

“The three countries of South Asia — India, Pakistan and Bangladesh — have to redouble their efforts to reduce illiteracy,” she said. Gandhi stressed on the need to achieve the global goals set for ensuring education for all by 2015.

“These are ambitious goals. But they must be achieved within the timeframe set for them,” she said. Terming literacy a basic human right, she said it was a pre-requisite for social transformation. “It enables people to be aware and assert their rights. It is a force against superstition and bigotry,” she said.