Congratulations! India. 74.04 %. What’s
so special about this number? Well, it is just a statistical number and if you
are able to read it, you fall into the category which it represents. Friends,
this is the literacy rate of India according to census 2011. To define
literacy, in Census operations, “It is
the ability to read and write with understanding in any language.” A consultation paper on ‘Literacy
in the context of the Constitution of India’ also states that Any formal education or minimum educational standard is
not necessary to be considered literate. That brings us to a very basic assumption
that any person who is able to sign and read it as well is literate in India. So
once again congratulations.
We as a pioneer among developing nation have been crying out loud about
our robust economic development over past 25 year post ’91 liberalization. But,
have we ever tried to compare the state of social well being? When I make you
aware that we have improved even at a worse rate than many of our South Asian
countries, it may not amuse you. Let me not distract the topic covering every social aspect, but when
I focus on education, India is only ahead of Nepal in terms of mean years of
schooling with a staggering figure of 4.4 years. It pinches my heart that
despite such robust economic growth, governments have not been able to provide
enough education infrastructure.
According to government estimates, only 29% students study in privately
run schools leaving majority to receive education in government schools. With dilapidated
premises, falling roofs, no facility for proper toilets, acute shortage of
teachers, callous behavior of schools staff, and numerous
other reasons are
responsible for students not attending schools on a regular basis. Like I mentioned
that not every child in India is fortunate enough to receive education in well
furnished private schools due obvious reason of poverty. Isn’t it the
responsibility of government to shape up schools, which in turn will shape
India’s future? It is estimated that more than 40% of India is below 18 year of
age which accounts for entire population of many countries. Strengthening them
with the sword of education is only going to bring more skill and well being of
masses.
I am not here to formulate policies and advise the government of India
for bettering the education status of India. I would rather like to draw
attention about the mindset of people who are advocates of cheating that
happens during examinations. They are okay with the process as in the words of
Ganesh Pandey from Jehanabad, Biahr “Since, teachers don’t teach well in class
and children have to pass, they have to adopt this practice of copying.” What Mr.
Pandey is not realizing is the very fact of flaw in the system. Had he rather
stressed on teachers imparting knowledge honestly and with zeal and
enthusiasm, the students would have had
double benefits of not having to cheat and learning subjects in entirety. Following
the current trend, the child would be reduced to nothing but a man who is just a
literate by Indian standards.
My complain is not to the government but to common person like Mr. Pandey who unknowingly feel rejoiced at spifflicating his ward’s future by
simply accepting the ignorance of government. What they don’t realize that none
of the wards of the legislators or the executives have to face the Ruins called
Government Schools. That is another reason for callous behavior towards the
wreckage of the system. On top of that leaders like Lalu Yadav have the audacity to declare that he would supply the entire book for cheating. this mindset is the testimony to the fact that Bihar ranks the
lowest in literacy in India.
Enough of week-long amusement and mini mountaineering for transferring the
decoded answers. Time to feel guilty for both parents and the government. Wake up
dude!
See for yourself.
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