Kashmir's literacy rate rises by 10 percent in 10 years

2011-03-27

Teachers in Jammu and Kashmir say that the literacy rate in the state has increased by 10 percent in the last decade.

A report by the state's Education Ministry recently said male literacy in the region has risen to 75.30 percent and the female literacy rate has touched 57.11 percent.

Tasleema Sheikh, principle of a girl's school in Srinagar said: " The survey, which was conducted 10 years back in 2001 stated the literacy rate in Jammu and Kashmir was 55 percent. The latest survey reveals that the literacy rate has increased to 65 percent, which means an increase of 10 percent in 10 years."

" When the survey was carried out in 2001, the literacy rate of males was 65 percent and the female literacy rate was 41 percent. The recent survey shows that the literacy rate of males has risen to 75 percent and the female literacy rate has risen to 57 percent," she added.

The reason for the rise in literacy rate is attributed to various schemes sponsored by the government like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and others schemes under which the state government constructed schools in far flung rural areas, provided mid-day meals and free books to the poor students.

Currently, 1660000 children are studying in government schools in the state with a total dropout of 39150 as against 376000 in 2004-05.

A total of 680 middle school buildings and 5,467 additional classrooms were constructed in the state during the period.

Aiming to further promote education, the government has also announced free school uniforms for the students who join in the next academic year.

Source: Sify.
Link: http://www.sify.com/news/kashmir-s-literacy-rate-rises-by-10-percent-in-10-years-news-national-ld1nuffjaha.html.