Lok Sabha Question No. 3637 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-21
Subject: Literacy Levels
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3637 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2015

## Literacy Levels

3637. SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps for improvement in educational and literacy levels registered in Odisha as compared to previous census figures;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  manner in which the status of the India has improved as compared to neighbouring countries?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a)  &  (b)  Census  2011  reported  the  literacy  rate  of  Odisha  as  72.87  per  cent  compared  to 63.08  per  cent  in  2001  and  49.1  per  cent  in  1991.  In  order  to  bring  improvement  in educational and literacy levels the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) under the Right of Children to  Free  and  Compulsory Education Act, 2009 is being implemented for universalisation of elementary  education  for  all  children  in  the  6-14  age  group.  Saakshar  Bharat,  a  Centrally Sponsored Scheme is also being implemented to bring effective improvement in adult literacy 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.   In Odisha, 19 districts are covered under Saakshar Bharat Programme.
- (c) A statement showing improvement in literacy rates, in the age group of 15 and above, in India and its neighbouring countries as per the Global Monitoring Report 2015,UNESCO is annexed .

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3637 FOR 21.12.2015 ASKED BY SHRI NAGENDRA KUMAR PRADHAN REGARDING 'LITERACY LEVELS'.

Literacy rates, in the age group of 15 and above in India and its neighbouring countries

| Sl. No   | Country    | Adult Literacy Rate (%age)   | Adult Literacy Rate (%age)   |
|----------|------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
|          |            | 1995-2004                    | 2005-2012                    |
| 1.       | India      | 61                           | 63                           |
| 2.       | China      | 91                           | 95                           |
| 3.       | Myanmar    | 90                           | 93                           |
| 4.       | Lanka      | 91                           | Sri 91                       |
| 5.       | -          |                              | Afghanistan 32               |
| 6.       | Bangladesh | 47                           | 59                           |
| 7.       | Bhutan     | -                            | 53                           |
| 8.       | Nepal      | 49                           | 57                           |
| 9.       | Pakistan   | 43                           | 55                           |

Source: Global Monitoring Report 2015,UNESCO.