Remarkable Leap: India’s Rural Literacy Surges to 77.5% with Empowering 14.5% Rise in Female Education

India has marked a significant achievement in rural literacy, with the rate rising from 67.77% in 2011 to 77.5% in 2023-24 among individuals aged seven and above. This growth includes a remarkable 14.5 percentage point increase in female literacy, rising from 57.93% to 70.4%, while male literacy improved from 77.15% to 84.7%. These figures were shared by Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, in the Lok Sabha, amid discussions on achieving 100% rural literacy.

The government attributes this progress to several centrally sponsored programs such as the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Saakshar Bharat, Padhna Likhna Abhiyan, and the recently launched ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. These initiatives have been instrumental in addressing literacy gaps, particularly in rural and educationally disadvantaged areas.

Launched in April 2022 under the National Education Policy 2020, the ULLAS initiative targets adult literacy, foundational skills, numeracy, and vocational training. According to Minister Chaudhary, over 2 crore learners have registered under ULLAS, with more than 1 crore taking the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT). States like Maharashtra have reported notable success, with over 10.87 lakh learners registered, though implementation in Bihar remains pending.

Despite these advancements, challenges in achieving universal rural literacy persist, including language diversity, cultural contexts, and unstructured learning frameworks. ULLAS addresses these challenges with volunteer-driven models tailored to local needs.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Minister Chaudhary stressed the importance of bridging literacy gaps and empowering rural communities, particularly women. Programs like ULLAS highlight the transformative power of collective efforts in reshaping India’s educational landscape and advancing toward the objective of universal literacy.

Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/national/story/indias-rural-literacy-surges-to-775-per-cent-female-literacy-up-by-145-per-cent-1135690-2024-12-10?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2024-12-10 23:17:00