Strangely, Kashmir is also the place that spends the most per capita on private schools and colleges. Yet another proof that money cannot buy everything
J&K Ranks Fourth-last on the National Literacy Map
Shevali Raina (Kashmir Times)
Jammu: Despite the education department of Jammu and Kashmir experimenting with a number of specialised literacy and adult education programme to boost up the literacy level in the state, the fact remains the state finds itself among the bottom four states of India
With Jammu and Kashmir at 32nd rank out of the 35 states and union territories, it finds its place among the educationally backward states of the country.
Although, the education sector of the state has been claiming high that during tenth five year plan (2002- 2007), only 1519.60 crores of the total plan outlay of the state was earmarked for the education sector and for the 11th five year plan, only 2160.37 crores of total plan has been earmarked for the development of this vital sector.
Yet this silver lining gets eclipsed by the fact that as per the survey report on Literacy report 2008 conducted by the planning and development department of Directorate of Economics and Statistics, J&K’s position in the field of literacy, as compared to the other states is disappointing. The survey report clearly indicated that J&K lies among the bottom four states of India, that are educationally backward.
Infact in comparison to the neighbouring states, survey report on literacy quotes that Jammu and Kashmir lags far behind. In gender disparity also, Jammu and Kashmir is behind the national level and the level of its adjoining states. In comparison to Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir bagged the lowest point in terms of literacy rate.
On this note, the intellectual fraternity of the state commented that half- hearted implementation of schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, mid-day meal, adult education and so on would not serve the purpose of education unless they are implemented at the grass-root level.
Pointing out that state of Jammu and Kashmir has a peculiar topography; intellectual fraternity of the Jammu and Kashmir commented that it creates hindrance in achieving the desired goal of complete literacy. The network of school is spread sparsely in the far-flung areas and majority of the population living there encounters problems like access to institutions, lack of infrastructure, transport facility etc.
Educationists opine that the education department of the state should frame strong policies and implement them on ground level so that maximum people (specifically living in far-flung areas) can take benefit out of it. They also asserted that awareness among the masses is of much importance. Unless the masses are educated and know about the adversities of illiteracy, they cannot force their children to attend school and gain education.
Professor N.R. Sharma of Jammu University clearly stated that ignorance has been the pivotal reason behind the low-literacy rate in Jammu and Kashmir. “Thinking of the parents living in far-flung villages has not been widened so far.” Sharma said that less awareness among the masses regarding the importance of education has been the main reason of low-literacy rate.
He pointed out that although government has implemented schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, adult education and female education, the scheme will not prove successful until the thinking pattern of the parents living in far-flung areas changes.
Literacy rate sex wise comparison in respect of India, J&K and its adjoining states:
S.NO STATE MALE FEMALE TOTAL GENDER GAP IN LITERACY
1. All India Level 75 54 65 21
2. J&K 67 43 56 24
3. Punjab 75 63 70 12
4. Himachal Pradesh 85 67 77 18
5. Haryana 79 56 68 23