Illiteracy in India (Misc.)
By media.desi on Sep 5, 2006 in Discussions
“The State shall endeavor to provide within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsary education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years.” — Constitution of India, Directive Principles of State Policy, Article 45 (p.3)
After more than half a century where are we now? Children sitting under trees, under sun, under rain for their basic right of education. Believe it, this is the status of our village school system. Yes, we agree we made huge progress. But there is a lot to be (can be) done. Despite efforts to educate our people during the 59 years since we achieved independence in 1947, some 54 percent of adults in the world’s largest democracy cannot read or write. Why do India’s 54 percent population are uneducated (not just signature)? Why an alarming number of children cannot reach primary school, or drop out before high school? Why are we not able to provide the basic education to our children? Is it because of corruption, lack of motivation or some thing else?
Some Facts:
Children under 15 years of age: 338 million
Education budget: $5 Billion/year ($4951 million)
Each child gets: $15 per year. (Rs. 705)
Some Calculations:
If each school has 1000 students = 333800 schools are needed.
Cost for a school: Rs. 20 Lakh (approximately)
Cost for total schools: $13708 Million
India’s defence budget is $18500 Million. If we can spend a part of this money on education one time, all we need is just to maintain these schools from the second year. Please comment on the issue and let your views be heard.
The govt failed in provding all those. I am not sure how much money will reach those children after passing some 10-15 layers of channels. Politicians doesn’t want our people to be educated. They want someone who can’t think but just do what they say.
Reddy | Sep 3, 2006 | Reply
IF OUR POLITICIANS ARE NOT EDUCATED ENOUGH, HOW DO WE EXPECT THEM TO GIVE THE MONEY FOR EDUCATION FOR OUR COUNTRY. THEY WILL NEVER LEAVE THE MONEY FOR GOOD THINGS.
sonia | Sep 3, 2006 | Reply
Guys look into this
http://www.ashanet.org/stats/PROBE.html
media.desi | Sep 3, 2006 | Reply
lets play our part… i dont have any statistics but every 10 can help a child it could be a big success
nameless | Sep 3, 2006 | Reply
politicians only want their pockets filled.even the best politician, definitely has some purpose for being one.no politician has true feelings to serve the country.if the system has to work it can be made to.but each one of the citizen has to be loyal and willing to work towards the welfare.
anonymous | Sep 3, 2006 | Reply
I clearly suspect statistics, Its 64% literacy as against 36% illeteracy. Go to http://www.censusindia.net/results/resultsmain.html for details. I dont know, what level of literacy admin is talking about.
Regular | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
@Regular
Our govt treats anyone who can sign as literate. Well yes in one sense. Even though we take u r stats like 64% literate, there is problem right?
fan | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
What happens when we spent defense budget completly into activities like education…..our neighbours take advantage of it .If we don’t build our defense and nothing offense to anyone and i heard “no politician has true feelings to serve the country” …what would 1 politician with true feelings for this country can do? ….raise his voice aganist system and get suspended from the party.
Poor getting poorer ..rich getting richer.
Ex: Land prices soaring these days in Hyderabad Real estate…Any control over it !!. what can a common person with 2500 RS salary person can buy these days. ( His children school fees /rent/ groceries / what else he can buy ? ) …Think about it!…literacy is there still due to lack of proper infrastructure,planning and finally poor getting poorer and being ignored in the society.
Thanks a lot!!
Anonymous | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
Let’s do
Why to blame the system and politicians etc. Can’t we build ourself? Poeple like us(NRIs) let join hands build school buildings in small villages. Can’t we afford that? People will start sending their children, if the school has atleast proper building to protect from rain etc. The building will help as Cyclone/floor mass relief centers too.
Anonymous | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
I dont want ot blame the politicians as they are made by us knowing or unknowingly.
But today we cant expect anything from our respected lawmakers except money and liquor during elections.
So, common brothers join hands to built a society which offers atleast a decent education for all our childern wherever they are in the country.
thanks a lot for giving me an oppurtunity to express my views.
citizen | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
We are a part of the system.We got to start contributing where ever we are be NRI’s or working employees.
If each NRI takes an oath that he is going to support his own village through proper communication channels i believe that we would all be seeing a literacy rate of 90 and above in a near future.
It is a commitment .We all need to step up and help the existing organisations which are already doing the work of supporting literacy in india and once this creates a momentum the politians to come to know that they should also contribute.
We need to step and build a great country in all aspects.
kumar | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
i tell u what…america should overthrow indian government (and pakistan’s…well tats another story) and ASSASINATE all those bastard politicians and the new generation will take control….that should solve everything…yup
kareem | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
I think this is not just with education but the living all together, they are homeless, no proper food..or any other basics! why do they think abt educating there kids? there are ample number of factors for the situation today! its just not politicians, they belong to us, even tomorrow if they are gone..others come up. i feel small scale industries help to some extent, indeginous factories in those tiny villages who could sell there products at large scale will let village prosper and increse the literacy there after! for example craftsmen (kalanetha,kondapalli,etc ) sell there products at as less as 10 rs per piece and that when comes to the store in city like hyd it prices 1500 rs. bottom line is instead of directly investing such amount in building schools…..we should invest such that they can build there own……..just like the saying in telugu translated in english : if u feed a hungry man a fish it will fill is stomach for once, but if u teach him how to fish u will fill is stomach forever. thanks admin for very good post
siri | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
hi every one my opinion is yes ofcourse corption is there in the INDIAN POLITICS ,the wrong is on both sides like everytime we think the govt should do all the works—as a citizen how much responsible we r —- if ecah one the citizens feels responsible and provke the politicians rather than giving suggestions……
Roopa | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
hi desivedios guys am very happy to see this type of topic ,,,,,,
Roopa | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
I agree with all. There is lot of corruption, problems in Indian systems. This is there every where even in US but in different way. Only thing we have to do as citizens os India is we have to get together and prepare a report and present it to the concern in Indian govt and see untill it is implemented.
canind | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
The two isues in comparsion are of important significance.Firstly, the focus of the government or the so called political representatives should be on developing the basic infrastructruing facilities among which EDUCATION should be of major priority.
Secondly,There are some other sectors other than Defense which do occupy a major share in the national budget.Instead of compromising on the national security or the future of future citizens of the country, There should be a way to solve this problem by taxing the high income earners (which is hardly done) and coming out withthe awarness programmes to uplift the need of quality education is urgently needed.
Sripal | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
I agree that Education very important for the better and strong future. I totally believe that, in education is the answer to all our problems.
Why are we not able to provide the basic education to our children? Is it because of corruption, lack of motivation or some thing else
I don’t believe its corruption or lack of motivation. This is just the diseases but the reason for this is week education system. Our education has become mere money earning technique.
But I also strongly believe the Defense and security of the country is not a topic of compromise. I do not wish to compromise our freedom at any cost. This is something every person has to understand, this freedom is not ours its a gift of our forefather who laied their lifes for us.
Deepak | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
Guyz.. heard all your opinions.. and i TOTALLY agree on all your views.. but consider this.. No matter how corrupt our politicians are and no matter how bad the situations are.. did it stop this current boom of IT that Infosys Mr. Murthy and others brought? did it not improve the lives of many people and provide jobs to the youth today.. So the thing is no matter how the politicians are.. since we can neither enter politics to sweep the dirt not can we raise our voices against them (atleast in the current conditions).. we, the current generation, must do things that raise our flag high. Another example i could give is the recent “Pravas Bharati Divas”, a group of exs-pats from US returned INDIA after like 35 yrs. and directly talked to CM and other ministers to remove the problem of infrastructure (atleast in Hyd, AP.. for now) and they have actually alloted this group a few thousand acres for the cause.. (Nevertheless i am sure the politicians have some benifit in this). Another example is Sabeer Bhatia (founder of Hotmail) and his idea to start “Nano City”.
So think about it…
Sonu | Sep 4, 2006 | Reply
this issue is very good to discuss but difficult to implement.with even 50% of the people getting educated there are not enough employement opportunities.luckily IT came into picture in the last 10 years and many are able to earn for there living.change has to come in the society by time not by overnight.
krish | Sep 5, 2006 | Reply
what ever may be the reason for illitracy in india or andhrapradesh,a team of dedicated and educated,trustworthy people and who would not get corrupted later on when they see the inflow of money should form a committee and take the lead.rest all should support them .
i love india | Sep 5, 2006 | Reply
Corruption is everywhere and india is no exception. We have to accept it and move on. Also, i believe that advancements cant happen in just one sector (like IT). More the money people spend, better the economy gonna be. Thats exactly whats happening in India. This would most definitely help our govt. to allocate more money out of the budget to the education system in India. I believe our education system is better than what it was 15 years and i am sure it would lot better than what it is now. Lets be optimistic and lets try and contribute something.
ano | Sep 5, 2006 | Reply
Guys,
This is the most useful topic i have ever seen in Desi-videos (Well, I am not a regular visitor to this site). But, I think this is a great opportunity for me to express what I want to. I dont want to lecture a 10 pages about the system, politicians, situations etc., and why these children could not get the education.
Whoever genuinely want to help these children who does not education in India please please please send their email ids to me. I’ve a plan to do something for these people. send me a test email to my email and I can be in touch with you all. Or if anyone has any kind of plan please let me know to the below email.
sekharsoftware@gmail.com or sekharsoftware@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks a lot.
Raj
Raj | Sep 5, 2006 | Reply
I apriciate the idea of helping all together for chlidren to get literate but at the same time why should we ignore the corruption & worst politicians. Instead of seating with folding hands if all of us will decide to come forward and to kick out these currut people from the politics to form a new powerful Govt., it will be really possible to make India better than this ever.I hope our efforts will definitely be helpfull atleast all the coming generations will be able to get thier rights and can stay in healthy environment.. .
Isn’t it a good idea to form a group of people and discuss such topics online ?
vrushali | Sep 5, 2006 | Reply
Ofcourse… it is corrupted and its much worse than most of us know. As we know most of the developing countries facing this problem. Its in the very minds of the people. There are so many things in disorder not only corruption. Well, no lecture again… However, I chose to help this way… please give me your inputs.
Thanks,
Raj
Raj | Sep 5, 2006 | Reply
Yes, we can make 333ooo schools if we cut off our defence budget for one year but think if we all live honestly then how many schools & industry’s we can make it.
Q… every body accept that our politicians are dirty and maximum are criminals but how made them?
Ans…We the people of India.
Yes, we will make them from your home, ward or from your village.
Example. we always elect a ward counsellor or sarpanch of village from your religion or your cast or he is a good person in your views because he made strong road in front of your house then your neighbour .then ward counsellor will grow with these type of fraud intentions then corruptionist to buy vote and then become a criminal for to win a election; then again same pattern will continue ,even they ready to divide india to become a ward counsellor to prime minister of INDIA.
TELL ME HOW MANY PERSONS GIVING VOTE WITHOUT ANY PARTALITY & TELL ME HOW MENY PERSONS ENCOURAGING THE HONEST PERSON FROM YOUR SOCIETY IN YOUR REAL LIFE.
Let’s start honest politics from your home then see your MLA, MP, CM&PM.After this work see your police &lawyers work ;who are the real rulers of INDIA.
My name is venkat ramana reddy but who ever know me call me now onwards only venkatramana. I will start from my side to avoid CASTISAM in INDIA.
NOTE; don’t concentrate to find out faults of other men or from this letter, do something which will develop your country avoid dirty politics in INDIA.
BOLO BHARAT MATA KI JAI,
Jai hind,
Venkat ramana
RAMANA,huddersfield. | Sep 5, 2006 | Reply
check out http://www.aimforseva.org/
(All India Movement for Seva)
and
http://www.ekalvidya.org/Ekal/index.php
kalyan | Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
Hi everyone, I think the solution for the problem lies in the question itself. Stop blamiing each other, become practical, we from time immemorial have been searching for one or more reasons to run away from reality or truth. If we want to develop schools for children we should go ahead and do it. Blaming on politicians, defence budget etc., are just excuses to away ourselves from the problem.
Who are politicians? Obviously their thinking would not be the same as a normal man, but still they are human beings, and talking about corruption tell me one country which is not corrupted??????. Lets face the truth. Indians throughout the world are busy running and developing economies except for their own. I’m sorry to say but an Indian will be more than happy to do any odd job(S) abroad than in India. Its not his fault, the fault lies in our thinking.
WAKE UP INDIA, CHANGE YOUR THINKING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW.
We should start respecting another human being just because he is a human being and not depending on how much wealth one has.
We had been slaves before under the British rule , we are slaves now under the Corporate rule. We have not changed and as long as we dont change our thinking, we will continue to be a developing country and can never be a developed country.
esh | Sep 6, 2006 | Reply
I don’t know whether you believe it or not.
Suppose you have a super computer with you. If some one attacked and stolen you Diamond. Almost you lost your collections (History). Still you believe the humans but not that kind of people. Again some one of different kind attacked and commanded/stolen your diamonds. If these things keep happening for 100’s of years, then how can you believ humans? Every body will become selfish, irrespective and dishonest.
The same thing happened with Indians now. Indians have a history of 10,000’s years. They have a better understanding about space and sprite. The Muslim kings (from Arab) ruled India for 100’s of years and destroyed/converted all our Veda’s/temples. And now the British came and treated like slaves and stolen our valuable mines. How can you expect a person who was cheated/destroyed and treated as a slave can be so honest/strong/educated as a regular person. What happend to Chandra babu naidu. He did a good job that what we expected. So don’t see faults in gov. It will take time to over come all our weaknesses. Our father’s generation tried to stabilize the country (Like plow/furrow the fields for cultivation) and now it’s our turn to plant a nice plant (Let our children so called good guys). Keep trying to be honest and be practical. Until than, take care of your children.
Bullithera | Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
hi all,
what a splendor to see fellow friends opinions on such a vibrant topic. well done. i wish we all can do something for good.. the first thing is we need to love the people around not by creed or caste. i really regret to say many of my fellow indians(especially andhraites) behave in a very inhuman way buy making groups by wealth and caste in state and in abroad.its shame to see NRI’s behave in such a idiotic way forming forums,associations etc… to show our GR8 foolish, useless integrity. i only know animals have distinct groups because they dont have any wisdom or brain to think, so they join only same looking animal groups. but we humans have brains and wisdom to behave much better. i hope all agree with it. but, because of few brainlesss idiots the entire human living systems are ruined and effecting the education,politics ofcourse in each area we are concerned. well, i specially like to say heartfull thanks to venkat ramana and all people with positive attitudes for their generous thinking. well its not the systems change we need, peoples mind and attitude…thats the start and we can turn the education system or any system in a respectable way. i am sorry to be harsh but like to encourage all to live like humans, loving, caring and respecting our fellow peolpe around…thats not as easy as we say. lets try in our situations.
kuldeep | Feb 10, 2007 | Reply
fdyshdyd
sravankumar | May 18, 2007 | Reply
Hello everybody,
I find the comparision improper. Things wont turn around over night in a country like India. You want to spend a part of money from defence to education. The thought is respectable but improper.
Because India basically is facing lot of problems with the neighbouring and in-house terrorists. And if the funds for defence are reduced the schools, colleges and universities constructed with that money along with the childern will be gone with such kind of people. That is why, I think such things can only be done step by step but not once at a time.
Even though the funds provided by the government is not enough according to the statistics there are some honourable gentlemen who are helping to raise that figures. And i believe if you are reading this response you would be one among them. May be everyone of us can make a difference to atleast one poor child. And if every able individual does this it will be fastest way to eradicate illiteracy in India.
Cheers,
Live upto an Indian…….
Venkat | Sep 3, 2007 | Reply
I agree with all…., first of all the money provided by govt. is not sufficient. Govt. of India has started a program like ’sarva shiksha abhiyan’ for free education to every child, in India I had been working in ngo on the same program(ssa),what i experienced, people are not ready to send their child for classes, they says what he or she’ll get by attending classes, on the same time he or she can earn some money by doing some work…..this is true because nobody could study with empty stomach.The problems like poverty, illiteracy, over population are almost inter-related.
We know system could not be change in one night and not a single individual could change the society.
But if every individual decide to contribute in what so ever way for the development of nation we will definetly make some difference.
Abhilasha | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
HI guys
I have seen an innummerable replies for this topic, i ever seen this concern before, i truely appreciate ur concern, right,Here i wouldnt blame indian politicians becoz they got use to corruption,I hate our bloody system, we dont have atleast basic standard of living,FOr instance an english man works mon to fri,
what ever the profession, even labourer, daily wager,…., all this working labour works like limited 8 hrs a day and once they finished get back to normal life, drinking, clubbing, every thing, every citizen is treated with great respect, DIGNITY OF LABOUR, why dont we have this in or country, Of corse am not expecting this changes overnight, but the change gopt to be initiated, once this change comes every body would afford their kids schooling, BASIC PAY GOT to be recomended, EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN irrespective of caste, creed,work what ever they do they got be treated well atelast. I really want my country citizens to be respected. Am ready to do contribute as much as i can in terms of every thing. JAI HIND
santosh | Feb 3, 2008 | Reply
After more than 50 years of independence, 60 Million Indian children had never, ever been to school. Illiteracy is a self-fulfilling curse that perpetuates the chain of poverty, degradation and child labour. I believe that true freedom for an individual comes only through EDUCATION.
Ajay Handa | Feb 20, 2008 | Reply
Hi Frens,
We have seen lot of posts like this. Everytime we blame the system. Everybody knows that politicians want to fill their pockets till their death or beyond(as their family will not stop clinging to the seats). But, what matters is how we can make the difference. I don’t work for the parliament and so I cannot whip those who is responsible to spend the money on good deeds. Everybody saying and everybody knows where our great India is on the world map now. It’s one of the powerful countries. So, we should be proud of belonging to one of the great nations. Each person can make a difference. If every NRI can donate a little sum of money to good causes(atleast to the place they belong to), we can help a percent of the issue. Everybody will only comment on the system. But, think what you did to help. I am not criticizing anyone here folks. I totally agree that we should get the change. But, we can’t wait for all our old, lazy, useless politicians to die and their generations die. Let’s do what we can do…
I myself an NRI became one because of the place I belong to. So, I think that I have a responsibility to help others as I am in a better position than other frens back home.
If I have some powers, I would impose NRI tax(just little) where the money goes to charitable trusts directly and help other people.
Rohit
Rohit | Mar 22, 2008 | Reply
Yes. i agree that there is a lack of literacy in our country then let it be in villages. My supposed suggestion is first observe at the different country’s study matters. Look at our suggestions and pay a little heed to it. Illiteracy is one of the major problems of our country. the system cannot be changed at a moment.I m 13 yrs . while I can understand y can’t the system?
Ami.K.B
Ami | Nov 17, 2008 | Reply