An Analytical Study on Illiteracyand Government Initiative in India

Abstract

Illiteracy if one of the biggest social issue of the todays world. In India, Both Rural and Urban Communities are phase these problems of illiteracy. The social causes of illiteracy are: lack of funds for education; poverty; isolation; hunger; and education systems imposed from outside. Millions of people speak non-transcribed languages. Many live in environments and conditions were written communications are not necessary or available. UNESCO has been working to realize the vision of literacy for all since 1946 in the belief that acquiring and improving literacy skills throughout life is an intrinsic part of the right to education and brings with it huge empowerment and benefits. But despite progress globally, 763 million adults still cannot read and write. Literacy drives sustainable development, enables greater participation in the labour market, improves child and family health and nutrition, reduces poverty and expands life opportunities. As illiteracy is the root cause of all evils, it should be the number one agenda of the government. Though government has taken various measures like making primary education free and compulsory, girl's education up to higher secondary level free and the highest allocation for education in our national budget, still the measures are inadequate. Government must ensure that the money is being utilized properly and effectively. Government need to set up more educational institutions, make reading materials cheap and available and guarantee employment after completing education. Private sectors, NGOs, academician and patrons of learning should come forward to spread the light of education in every house. We also have to make people aware of the importance of education. Media can play a great role in this regard. Reducing poverty is the most effective way of removing illiteracy from society. Hence, government must work in coordination with others to fight poverty and increase literacy rate. Several schemes had been launched to ensure the right to menaces education in the country. The National Policy on Education in the year 1986 declared that the whole nation must commit itself to drive away the of illiteracy, especially among the young population. The National Literacy Mission in 1988 made literacy a community endeavour, which seems to bite the dust today as it has not been able to prevent dropouts among school children and illiteracy prevails. The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was launched in 2001 to ensure that all children in the 6-14 years of age-group attend school and complete eight years of schooling by 2010. An important component of the scheme is the Education Guarantee Scheme and alternative and innovative education, meant primarily for children in areas with no formal school within one-kilometre radius.