Question : Literacy

(a) whether the Government is aware that as per the Education for all- Global Monitoring
Report of the United Nations a considerable number of adults are illiterate in the country and
if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government is also aware that the female literacy initiative is under
performing in terms of quality education in comparison to other neighbouring countries and it
ranks low in global indices of female literacy rate and if so, the details thereof and reasons
therefor;
(c) the current percentage of illiterate people in the country State/UT-wise particularly in
Maharashtra along with the States where illiteracy is high;
(d) whether it is a fact that unemployment among educated people is also one of the reasons
for illiteracy along with the other reasons and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the action taken/ proposed to be taken by the Government to promote literacy programmes
in the country, specially for female and children along with the funds sanctioned/ released for
the purpose during the last three years, State/UT and year-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)
(a) As per the “Education for All: Global Education Monitoring Report 2016” published by
UNESCO, around 26.55 crore adult illiterates are reported in India out of a total 75.79 crore
adult illiterates in the world. A large number of adults are illiterate in India due to various
factors including poverty, gender and social category inequities and age profile.
(b) No Madam. As per UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) data 2015, the female literacy
rate, in the age group of 15 and above in India was reported as 62.98 per cent which is higher
than the female literacy rates of the neighboring countries like 42.73 per cent in Pakistan,
54.75 per cent in Nepal, 55.12 per cent in Bhutan and 58.31 per cent in Bangladesh.
(c) A statement indicating the State/UT- wise percentage of illiterates in the country
including Maharashtra, in the age group of 7 and above, as reported by the Census 2011 is at
Annexure-I.
(d) No data is available establishing the fact that the unemployment among educated people
is one of the reasons for illiteracy in the Country.
(e) In order to improve the literacy rate, Saakshar Bharat, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for
Adult Education and Skill Development is being implemented in rural areas of 410 districts
in 26 States and one UT that had adult female literacy rate of 50 per cent and below as per
Census 2001 including Left Wing Extremism affected districts, irrespective of their literacy
rates, with special focus on women and other disadvantaged groups. In addition, Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is also being implemented in
conjunction with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 for
universalisation of elementary education for all children in the 6-14 age group. Statements
indicating the State/UT- wise funds released under Saakshar Bharat programme and Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan during the last 3 years are at Annexure-II and Annexure-III, respectively.
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