The problem of illiteracy in the Indian context cannot be over emphasised. Basic literacy, as defined by the United Nations, is the ability to read 40 words per minute, write 20 words per minute, and do 2-digit arithmetic. Check out these alarming statistics:
- In India, where one of the oldest civilizations flourished, only 52% of the population is literate (65.5% of males, 39% of females). (These figures are from the 1991 census).
- The literacy rate among rural women is 10%.
- Over half of the world's illiterates may be in India as we enter the 21st century.
- Every third working child in the world is in India. (There are 15 million bonded child labourers in India!).
- For 3 million children in India, the street is their home.
0 comments:
Post a Comment