Literacy Scenerio in Andhra Pradesh in a Decade

Abstract

Literacy rate is one of the important social characteristics. The diversity in literacy rate among the districts in the state is extraordinary. Further, it varies considerably changes in number of schools, enrolment and dropout rate, and numbers of teachers, etc., the number of schools enrolment ratio, number of teachers, and dropout rate are differ among districts of Andhra Pradesh over a period of time. However the present study is confines to Andhra Pradesh state only, because as there are large number of districts. Therefore analysis of trends and patterns of literacy, and related points are given in-depth knowledge, which is grater useful for planners and policy makers. Hence in this context an attempt is made in this paper to study the literacy levels by analyzing the data available in the censuses and information on DISE details. Literacy and education are reasonably good indicators of development in society. According to Human Development Report (2006) “literacy is a person’s first step in learning and knowledge building.’’ Literacy as a prerequisite to education is an instrument of empowerment. It is an essential quality of civilization such as modernization, urbanization industrialization, communication and commerce. It also forms an important input in the overall development of individuals enabling them to comprehend their social, political and cultural environment in a better way. Higher level of education and literacy lead to a greater awareness, communication and also contribute in improvement of economic conditions. Primary education develops the capacity to learn, read and use mathematics, to acquire information to think critically about the information. Indeed, primary education is the basis of all planning all development and all progress. As such our programs of education should lie at the base of efforts to forge bonds of common citizenship, to harness energies of young people and to develop natural and human resources of every part of the country. Even as the government has been grappling with educational reforms the system has not moved out of the rut and is still way behind our cultural and development needs. Hence there is an utter need for revolutioning the process of education in India, right from the primary stage to the university level. The trends in no. of institutions, teachers, and teacher pupil ratio in Andhra Pradesh has been increased from 63,897 in 2003 to 67,150 in 2013, during same period in upper primary from 15,215 to 16,407. In number of teachers decreasing from 1,72,601 to 1,84,772 in primary, and at upper primary from 1,00,365 to 97,871 in 2013, in teacher pupil ratio is around only 29 to 35 in both primary and upper primary. In case of trends in no. of enrolment, of upper primary is less when compared to primary sections, but the primary is almost double in number from 2003 to 2013 over a decade. In gross enrolment started with 87.72 in 2003 by 2013 it is 100.38 in upper primary ratio is from 64.86 to 91.40 in 2013. The dropout rate decreased from 42.61 to 14.91 in 2013 same results also in upper primary from 59.79 to 29.58. Among total districts of Andhra Pradesh statistics from 2003 to 2013 in both primary and upper primary sections some districts are good in educational development and literacy like schools, enrolment, and teachers and some are not in even average level like Adilabad, Nizamabad, and Mahaboob Nagar. The progress of literacy in primary and upper primary is a reflection of success of the government policies and programs. Hence effective implementation of compulsory education which was passed by the parliament recently is a welcome step for attainment, besides the implementation of mid-day meal program for reduce the dropout in primary sections.