Literacy in South Asia

[wtf]

DAWN.COM | Editorial | Losing the literacy race

Losing the literacy race

Sunday, 28 Jun, 2009 | 01:57 AM PST
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AT a time when the country is mired in serious crises, a numbers game focusing on who can and cannot read might appear trivial. But it is not. Literacy, next to education, is the key factor in breaking the cycle of disadvantage that developing countries are trapped in. Unfortunately, this basic fact has yet to gain recognition in Pakistan where, according to Unesco’s latest Global Monitoring Report on Education, the adult literacy rate is 54 per cent. This is way behind the world average. What is worse, the country is not expected to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of 100 per cent literacy by 2015. In the next six years, the literacy rate will inch up to 62 per cent. The illusory image of progress is shattered by a look at the actual numbers. Since the literacy rate in Pakistan has failed to keep pace with the population growth rate the number of adult illiterates will actually grow to 47 million. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ranking in the ‘Education Development Index’ is deplorable. The country is straggling at a lowly 118 out of 129.

The value of literacy and education for human development, economic progress and ecological survival is to well known to be extolled. The facts, too, do not bear repetition. But some observations about our education strategy that determines literacy are in order. First what we should be worried about is that the pace of progress is excruciatingly slow. An education policy that aims at the universalisation of primary education does not have to focus unduly on adult literacy programmes because within a few years there is no adult illiterate left to cater for. Pakistan’s lowly school enrolment ratio, high drop-out rate and poor standards ensure that there are plenty of adults around who need to be taught literacy skills. In our case, teaching adults would help in expanding school enrolment as parents who are literate want their children to be educated. Another fact to be noted is that low-quality education does not enhance literacy. It is now said that good primary-level schooling alone ensures lifelong literacy. Therefore an education system that does not address the quality issue amounts to funds being poured down the drain. Moreover, an elite minority that concentrates privileges in its own hands should be aware of the dangers of keeping the masses impoverished and deprived of the advantages of a good education.

 

[zombie]

Actually India's literacy is nothing to write home about. Many of those who are part of the so called literate can barely write anything more than their name or read even a sentence from the newspaper. Time to compare against those who have made progress like China and SriLanka who have left India far behind.

 

[wtf]

The statistics they are talking about are from the 2009 report by UNESCO.
The following is the table for literacy of different countries.
http://www.unesco.org/fileadmin/MUL...r2009/efagmr2009_Annex3_Statisticaltables.pdf

Sri Lanka is doing very well at 91% literacy, so is Maldives (97%).
Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan are all in the 50-55% band. India is at 65% (a situation which Iran was in 1985). Afghanistan is at 28%.

The same story goes for Women's participation in workforce. Only Nepal has more than 50% of women working. Every one else is at 30-35%.

 

[wtf]

Actually India's literacy is nothing to write home about. Many of those who are part of the so called literate can barely write anything more than their name or read even a sentence from the newspaper. Time to compare against those who have made progress like China and SriLanka who have left India far behind.

Or Iran.
It is surprising how well they have done considering their political problems. In 20 years they bought up the literacy rate from 66% to the current near full literacy. Maldives is a real champion too -- 97%!

 

[EjazR]

I think this would be an appropriate place to discuss steps being taken by South Asian countries to improve their literacy rates. We all this an important aspect of progress.

Literacy rate to surge to 66pc in 2010: PM
Literacy rate to surge to 66pc in 2010: PM - GEO.tv
PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilanion Tuesday said education was the top priority of the government and it has doubled the budget to increase country's literacy rate.

Addressing a seminar to mark the International Literacy Day here, he said "for a progressive Pakistan, we must gear up our efforts to promote literacy and education in allcross-sections of the society including women."

The seminar on 'Literacy and Nation-Building: Approaching the Literacy Year 2010' was organized by the National Commission for Human Development.

The Prime Minister attributed the current rise in extremism, violence, religious bigotry and falling moral standards in the failure to recognize its women as effective tools for social harmony and national reconstruction.

"So all of us must forge complete unity and join hands in making this dream a reality," he said.

Prime Minister Gilani said the four Chief Ministers have been summoned to the federal capital to discuss the education policy on Wednesday.

He said education was a provincial government subject and the federal government desired to take on board all the four chief ministers to come up with a comprehensive policy that meets the requirements of modern times.

Gilani said the government was fully cognizant of the sacrifices of the people of NWFP and he had personally visited Peshawar to acknowledge the services of the people.

Prime Minister Gilani said terrorism and extremism were a major threat to the country and the entire nation had stood together to fight the threat.

Gilani was particularly appreciative of the millions of displaced people who left their homes, and also those who hosted them.

He announced that a special package for development of Malakand will be announced soon as poverty and illiteracy were the root causes of terrorism.

He said Swat and adjoining areas were the center of tourist attraction as the visitors from across the world came to see natural beauty of the area.

The prime minister said the terrorists challenged the writ of the government and brought a bad name to the country.

He said there was a need to dispel the wrong perception about Islam by imparting education across the country.

Gilani stressed the importance of education and quoted the great French revolutionary Dante who had said; "After bread, education."

He said, "Literacy, for sure, is the lifeline of any developed country and there is, thus, no denial to the fact that it alone is pivotal to human progress, most important key to development, and so vital for poverty alleviation."

The Prime Minister said Pakistan People Party government under the leadership of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto launched a national programme in the country in 1974. However, he regretted that the subsequent governments could not continue it and the programme was shelved.

Gilani said the government had declared Year 2010 as the "Literacy Year" with a focused resolve to accelerate the pace for meeting our targets.

He said Pakistan is signatory to the "Dakar Declaration" of 2003 to achieve 85 percent literacy rate by 2015.

He said in the current fiscal year, the Government allocated more than 31 billion rupees for the education sector.

"We plan to further increase this in the coming year. In this regard, I have already announced to raise the Education Budget to 4 percent of our GDP, from the existing 2.4 percent," he added.

He said the Federal Ministry of Education has launched a scheme of establishment and operation of basic education and community schools in the country with a resource allocation of Rs 2billion.

Another Rs. 2 billion have been earmarked under the "Education for All" programme, with an aim to providing necessary facilities at the primary schools.

He said the National Commission for Human Development has been asked to re-prioritize its goals and focus its energies in achieving the objectives of Universal National Literacy in minimum possible time.

He assured his government help to provide all the needed support and skills and hoped that under the leadership of Chairperson, Ms. Nafisa Shah, NCHD will be able to perform well.

He said Pakistan today faces numerous challenges and finds itself handicapped as it bears the burden of more than 50 million illiterate citizens. He said the existing literacy rate was about 55 percent whereas according to the National Plan of Action, it should have been 66 percent.

He pointed that the primary school enrolment was less than 70percent and even in this, as many as 30 percent get dropped out before acquiring basic literacy skills.

The prime minister said Islam makes it mandatory on its believers for every endeavour to seek knowledge as it regards the seeking of knowledge a sacred duty for all followers.

"Thus no believer of Islam can be the enemy of knowledge and no Muslim can, therefore, dare destroying a seat of learning," he added.

"Let us rebuild the Swat schools; Let us rebuild Pakistan."

He said NCHD is the lead agency for literacy in Pakistan, which has been recognized by UNESCO. This national forum needs our combined efforts.

"I will ensure that NCHD gets the timely release of the required and approved funds of Rs. 2.7 billion during the current financial year."

He urged the Federal Education Minister and all the four provincial governments to lend complete support to this national body and work out a coordinated mechanism for ensuring universal literacy in minimum possible time.

Earlier Prime Minister Gilani inaugurated the literacy center.

The function was attended by Chief Minister NWFP Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, Minister for States and Frontier Region Najam-ud-Din Khan, Minister of State for Education Ghulam Farid Kathia, Chairperson National Commission for Human Development Ms. NafisaShah, parliamentarians and officials of the federal and provincial governments.

 

[EjazR]

Literacy the path to 'Digital Bangladesh': PM :: Bangladesh :: bdnews24.com ::

Dhaka, Sept 07 (bdnews24.com)—Prime minister Sheikh Hasina and president Zillur Rahman issued separate messages on Monday on the eve of International Literacy Day, with the leaders calling for elimination of illiteracy and realisation of 'Digital Bangladesh'.

"The present government has declared its programmes to build an illiteracy-free Bangladesh by 2014," president Zillur Rahman said in his statement.

"I believe by bringing education deprived population, dropped out children and older people under primary and semi-formal education, and providing the right training, it is possible to turn them into skilled human resource," he said.

Meanwhile, in her Literacy Day message, prime minister Sheikh Hasina said every citizen had to be educated to bring about the Awami League's election pledge for a 'Digital Bangladesh'.

"That is why we aim to ensure schooling for all children by 2011. Furthermore, we aim to eliminate illiteracy by 2014," the prime minister said.

The prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate International Literacy Day on Tuesday at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, where she will distribute prizes to National Education Week competition winners, education ministry information officer Al Mahmud Hassan told bdnews24.com.

Hassan said the day will be marked with discussions and awareness programmes around the country.

 

[EjazR]

In case you are wondering, September 8 is International literacy day so all these governments are announcing these steps as part of that day.

Revamped literacy mission to focus on educating women - India - NEWS - The Times of India
NEW DELHI: The HRD ministry is not only renaming the National Literacy Mission as National Women's Literacy Mission but is also making substantial changes in the definition of literacy with specific focus on achieving 80% literacy for women by the end of the 11th Plan.

With a new slogan -- Literate India -- the mission will be launched next month in 365 districts. It would be run in active participation with the state governments unlike in the past when it was run directly by the Centre through different implementation agencies at the district level.

Chairing a meeting of the National Literacy Mission Authority Council on Thursday, HRD minister Kapil Sibal said the government has decided to "tweak" the NLMA to focus on women and the mission would be launched in those districts where the female literacy level is below 50%. "We are structurally changing the mission and adopting new strategies. We have decided to implement the new scheme with the help of panchayati raj institutions. We aim to bring the country's literacy level to 80% by 2017," he said.

Sibal said that Adult Education Centres would be set up at the Gram Panchayat level which would be the unit for the programme's implementation. The Panchayat will work in tandem with the community to implement the programme.

Under the mission, the government aims to educate 70 million adults, out of which 60 million would be women. Sibal said under the 11th Plan (which will end in 2012), the mission has been allocated Rs 6,000 crore. The NLMA has spent Rs 2,800 crore since its inception in 1988.

Sibal said there is a 21% gap between the literacy levels of men and women. This is "wide". Seven states alone account for 70% of illiterate people in the country.

He, however, refused to name the states which are lagging behind the overall national literacy level saying, "I don't want to make headlines." According to the 2001 census, the states are: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

While the national literacy level is 64%, the male literacy level is 75% and the female level is 54%.

Sibal said the definition of literacy, which was so far just self-reliance in reading, writing and arithmetic, would be redefined and people taught to acquire skills to improve their economic status and general well-being. He said a curriculum framework for adult literacy would be developed with adequate reflection of locally relevant issues and aspects.

To ensure uniformly high standards, all the materials for basic education, equivalency and life-long learning would be quality-assured.

He said committees at the district, block and panchayat levels would be set up to monitor the implementation of the programme. Besides an efficient MIS system, concurrent monitoring systems would be put in place for field validation.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

eEjaz - moving to Economy and Development section.

 

[EjazR]

Zardari for setting up National Literacy Council

* Wants parliament to declare free education a fundamental right under constitution

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has proposed the formation of a high-level National Literacy Council, to be headed by the prime minister, to ensure a well-coordinated and effective literacy drive across the country.

In a message on International Literacy Day, the president said the council would work to promote education across the country. Committee members would include the federal Finance minister, all provincial chief ministers, and all provincial ministers for Education, Finance and Planning.

Zardari said International Literacy Day was an important occasion for planners and decision makers in Pakistan to assess the strengths and shortcomings of the education sector, to ensure the prosperity and security of future generations. “Pakistan lags behind most other countries in the region in the realms of literacy and primary education,” he said. “On the Human Development Index, Pakistan is ranked 136th out of the 179 countries of the world and we have, so far, been able to make little progress in changing the situation.

Review: Zardari said that approximately 50 million people in Pakistan could not read or write and the current state of affairs demanded a review of development priorities and strategies. He cited Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines free elementary education as a fundamental human right, with literacy as a core component of education. He said Benazir Bhutto was the first prime minister of Pakistan to sign the “Education for All” declaration in September 1994 in the presence of UN agencies and international leaders.

The president recommended parliament legislate on recognising and declaring free-of-cost primary education a fundamental human right in the Constitution of Pakistan. He said inequalities in education stood in the way of sustainable and equitable economic development. “An illiterate labour force has an adverse impact on national harmony. app

 

[EjazR]

India Celebrates National Education Day/Birthday of Maulana Azad

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that a system of education built on the premises of quality and equity was central to India's rapid progress as a modern and dynamic society.

He said his Government was committed to the cause of education. "But in the mammoth task that lies ahead, we will need the contribution of all our citizens and all actors in the civil society," he said at the National Education Day celebrations here to mark the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India's first Union Education Minister.

Dr Singh said improving access to education was not enough and it had to be accompanied by efforts to ensure equity and improve quality.

"Our Government stands committed to provide good and quality education to each and every child in our country, especially those who belong to the underprivileged sections of our society," he said.

He said that it was with this end in view that the Government had launched several scholarship schemes for those who could not afford to study on their own, including the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities and other disadvantaged groups.

He said the Government especially recognised the importance of educating women and they were being special attention in the "Saakshar Bharat" mission.

The Prime Minister said improvement in the quality of education at all levels was also receiving increasing emphasis. He said this would be achieved in higher education through structural reforms on the basis of the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission and the Yashpal Committee.

He said the realisation of the the Right to Education did not depend merely on expansion of educational infrastructure but, equally importantly, on availability of trained and qualified teachers with commitment to their profession.

Dr Singh said that UNESCO, in its Oslo Declaration 2008 relating to Education for All, had projected a requirement of 18 million new primary school teachers throughout the world in the next seven years to achieve universal primary education at the global level.

In India too, an extra one million teachers would be needed to implement the Right to Education Act. For this purpose, apart from the need of augmenting teacher’s training institutes and use of information and communications technology (ICT) for mass learning, it is necessary to restore the prestige and status of the teaching profession, he said.

"The importance of good teachers cannot be over-emphasized. Good teachers not only educate- they also inspire. Good teachers make good students. Good teachers make good citizens. We must therefore find ways and means of improving the quality of our teachers. We must find ways of attracting the best talent as faculty in our premier institutions," he said.

He said the country today faced difficulties in finding top level professors and lecturers in the newly created Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and other such institutions.

"This state of affairs cannot be allowed to persist and I urge all of you to work to address these problems of deficiency in the quality of teaching in our schools, in our colleges, and in our universities," he said.

The Prime Minister described Maulana Azad as a great visionary, freedom fighter, scholar and educationist.

"Throughout his life, Maulana Azad served the twin causes of freedom and justice. He was a champion of liberal and secular values. He worked for the unity and integrity of India both during the freedom movement and after independence. It was he who laid the foundation of India's educational policy and planning," he said.

Dr Singh said Maulana Azad was also a great institution builder. He created the University Grants Commission (UGC), the National Academies-the Sangeet Natak Akademy, Sahitya Akademy, Lalit Kala Akademy, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. He strengthened the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and oversaw the establishment of a chain of top class technical institutions that now represent the best in the Indian Education System. Under his distinguished leadership, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur was established in 1951, which was followed by a chain of IITs at Mumbai, Chennai, Kanpur and Delhi, he recalled.

He pointed out that education had received the highest priority from the Central Govt. in the last five years or so, during which the education system at all levels--primary, secondary, higher, professional and technical education--had been strengthened and expanded.

He spoke about the Government's flagship programme Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan for primary education and said the initiatives had now been extended the the secondary level. The Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) is aimed at achieving an enrolment ratio of 75 per cent for classes IX-X within five years and to provide universal secondary education by the year 2017.

He said the recently-passed Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 created a legal entitlement for compulsory and free education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. He also mentioned Saakshar Bharat, a new literacy initiative, with special focus on female literacy.

The Prime Minister said that the outlay for higher education had been increased by 10 times in the Eleventh Five Year Plan as compared to the Tenth Five Year Plan. A number of new institutions - Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management, Indian Institutes for Science Education & Research, Indian Institutes of Information Technology and others - are being established.

He said a National Mission on Education through ICT had been launched in February 2009 with an outlay of about Rs. 5000 crore to provide internet connectivity to about 20,000 colleges and educational institutions.

He said the proejct would be a major harbinger of use of modern technology in the field of education.

Noting that UNESCO played a very important role as a global clearing house of ideas and knowledge and creation of knowledge based societies, he offer India's willingness to share with the organisation the e-learning material prepared under this technical mission by the IITs.

PM says quality, equitable education central to India's progress | NetIndian | India News | Latest News from India | Breaking News from India | Latest Headlines

 

[EjazR]

PM to be chief guest at National Education Day function

New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be the chief guest at the National Education Day function being celebrated on November 11 to commemorate the birthday of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, an eminent educationist.

Director General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura will attend the function as guest of honour. Matsuura will be conferred with honorary D Litt on the occasion for his contribution in the field of education by National University for Educational Planning and Administration.

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal will confer D Litt on Matsuura.

The government has been observing November 11 as the National Educational Day since last year. Institutions across the country will organise several programmes to celebrate the occasion.

UNESCO will participate in the event as Maulana Azad was the president of its general assembly during his tenure as the first education minister of India.

 

[Ruag]

PM to be chief guest at National Education Day function

New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be the chief guest at the National Education Day function being celebrated on November 11 to commemorate the birthday of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, an eminent educationist.

Director General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura will attend the function as guest of honour. Matsuura will be conferred with honorary D Litt on the occasion for his contribution in the field of education by National University for Educational Planning and Administration.

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal will confer D Litt on Matsuura.

The government has been observing November 11 as the National Educational Day since last year. Institutions across the country will organise several programmes to celebrate the occasion.

UNESCO will participate in the event as Maulana Azad was the president of its general assembly during his tenure as the first education minister of India.

It is good that the Government of India is acknowledging the contributions of Maulana Azad by celebrating his birthday as 'National Educational Day'.

Many don't know the fact that Azad played a significant role in the establishment of IITs across India. He is perhaps one of the most influential Muslim politicians India ever had.

 

[Omar1984]

 

[Omar1984]

Govt to open 1,000 schools in private sector
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Karachi—The government would open some 1,000 schools in the private sector.

This was stated by the Sindh Minister for Education and literacy, Pir Mazhar ul Haq.

He said here on Sunday that such schools would be opened in those districts of the province where 68 to 72 percent of the children are not enrolled.

Pir Mazhar said that any private organization that meets the rules and regulations and terms and conditions of the Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) can open schools in these areas.

The premises, building and furniture would be of the organization setting up the school while the government would provide full encouragement, he added.

No fees will be charged from the students enrolled in such schools, it was pointed out.

However, the boys enrolled would be given stipend of Rs. 350 each and the girl students Rs. 450 each. 80 percent attendance will be compulsory for the students.

The Minister said that the government is undertaking effective steps for the promotion of education.

He also asked people from every segment of the society to also contribute their bit towards the promotion of education.—APP

 

[Omar1984]

Gilani praises Imran for education promotion
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that the root cause of terrorism was illiteracy and his government had resolved to provide better education in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of up-gradation of the NAMAL College in Mianwali to a university — a project launched by PTI chairman Imran Khan — Gilani said Imran Khan was doing a great service in the field of education in a remote area of Pakistan.

The premier praised the PTI chairman for setting up the institute, saying giving access to education was a noble cause because knowledge was power.

“Education and the provision of health facilities is the top priority of his government and we will focus on these issues,” he added. Prime Minister Gilani attended the ceremony at the residence of Imran Khan, defying security threats.

He announced 100 scholarships worth Rs200,000 each for the students of the NAMAL University. Degree classes at the university commenced from Saturday. Ambassadors and top elite of Islamabad was also present at the dinner hosted by Imran Khan.

In a brief speech, Prime Minister Gilani recalled that his forefathers were instrumental in setting up educational institutions in Multan and one of such institutes was still considered best in the region. He said it was his earnest desire to follow his forefathers.

Prime Minister Gilani said the government would strive to give best emoluments to the teachers so that they could fully concentrate on educating the future generations of Pakistan. He also lauded the services being rendered by the Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore, also set up by the former cricketer.

Speaking on the occasion, Imran Khan briefed the audience about his aim to make the project a success. Imran Khan said it was not a political function and he had invited the people above the party line.

In his witty remarks, he said: “I wanted to invite President Asif Ali Zardari here but due to security situation I did not do so because if any thing happened to him then I might be prime suspect”.

Later, when reporters approached Prime Minister Gilani for a press talk, Imran Khan requested him not to hold press talk, saying it would make the function a political event because political questions would be asked.