Disparities in Literacy Rate in Karnataka: An Overview

Abstract

In Karnataka major disparities are seen in Human Development, Educational level, Economic infrastructures, Health Infrastructure, Literacy Level and in Income Level. Among this, disparity in literacy rate is one the most debated topic since it is a constitutional right of every citizen. Disparity in education or literacy rate will lead to disparity in human development as well as economic development. In the back drop of inclusive growth strategy of India, it is necessary to understand the regional disparity in educational development. Since, literacy plays an important role in overall development of a human being and studies revealed that there is a positive correlation between literacy rate and human development, income level, health, information, confidence, dignity, empowerment and independence. Therefore, on the one hand there is an urgent need for reduction in the disparities in literacy level and on the other there is a need to improve the overall literacy level. All the states including Karnataka have given special prominence to education, which has been an integral part of economic planning. However, disparities in literacy level still exists and the conditions in backward districts still worse. Against this background the present study discusses some important perspectives on the regional disparities in literacy rate existing in Karnataka. The objectives of the study are; to understand the magnitude of district wise, gender wise and region wise disparity in literacy rate in Karnataka; To highlight the measures taken by the government to address regional disparity; To suggest suitable policy alternatives. The paper is based on the secondary sources of data and it was gathered from publications of state and central government for different time periods, journals, books etc.