Making India a better place: Education
The United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has drafted a
definition of literacy as the "ability to identify, understand, interpret,
create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated
with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling
individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential,
and to participate fully in their community and wider society''
Literacy is a right. It is implicit in the right to education and
mandated by 86th amendment to the Constitution of India making free and
compulsory education to the children of 6-14 years age group a right to
education. In India it is a key for socio-economic progress. If somebody asks
me to pick the most important precondition to enhance nation’s potential and
prospect, it would be literacy. India has made a considerable progress in this
sector and with all the efforts the literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from
meagre 12% in 1947. But it is still well below the world average literacy rate
of 84%. Of all nations, India currently has the largest illiterate population.
Literacy is the basic requirement of economic development that has been
recognized throughout the world and hence literacy has reached around 99% in
countries of Japan, South Korea, USA, UK, Germany, France etc. There a
considerable gap between male (82.14%) and female (65.46%) literacy rates in
India. When a girl or a woman is not educated, it is not only she who suffers
but the entire family has to bear the consequences of her illiteracy. Poverty
being the root cause of many problems in India also causes low female literacy
rate. Parents do not consider girls as earning members of their family
therefore spending on their education is just considered as wastage of money.
The rationale for recognizing literacy as a right is the set of
benefits it confers on individuals, families, communities and nation. Also it
is widely recognized that, in modern societies, literacy skills are fundamental
to informed decision-making, personal empowerment, active and passive participation
in nation building.
Given the argument that Institutional qualification is different
from political wisdom, there is no need for a legislature to be literate but by
making himself aware of the background and other related aspects of the
candidate, a literate voter can choose his representative wisely. The
relationship between education and political participation and thus
contribution to democracy is well established. Literate people are less likely
to get deceived by false poll promises and other lucrative offers by the
contestants during elections because they can check facts by various means.
A well informed and literate atmosphere shall enable one to browse
investment options, business interests, and one can acquire important new
skills for making himself self-sufficient for present and future needs. Having
been aware of the usage of computer and other digital methods one can also
utilize on line means for availing the government services. It
shall save him/her from bribing government officials or touts and things will
get done transparently.
Moreover, the
effects of literacy often extend beyond personal benefits. Educated mass can
understand the importance of preserving environment and cultural heritage,
cleaning & sanitation, health & wellness, importance of nutrition, good
quality water, knowledge & prevention of communicable diseases, maternal
& infant care (low infant mortality rate) and many more. Government can
effectively communicate its objectives/programs and involvement of people
required for achieving the same. Be it digital media or paper media a literate
person can understand the content easily. Giving a thought on the execution
part is a secondary thing that depends upon so many other factors like
infrastructure, legislation, law & order and most importantly attitude of
the common people towards the issue.
It has been
estimated that at the current rate of progress, India will attain 100% literacy
only until 2060. With the much coveted right to education and related education
programs like Srava Siksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan it
just need people’s participation to achieve the targets in less time. They have
to understand that education is a weapon in the hands of the restless poor and
it is education that can free them from vicious cycle of poverty. Midday meal
program in schools have been other measures adopted by the government to bring
kids from poor families to school.
Illiteracy is a scar in our national context. Millions of people
in our country are still in the darkness of illiteracy and ignorance. They are
deceived in every walk of life. Lack of literacy is a hurdle for overall
development and well-being of this country. It weakens the backbone of our
country. It is with the educated and enlightened people alone that the country
can progress in all directions. So, let’s adopt the phrase 'each one teach one'
because it’s not just the responsibility of government, it’s us who should come
forward for making India a better place for all its citizens.
