“The smallest world on earth is that which is created by a closed mind.”
~ Michael Bassey Johnson
India is a land of diverse cultures, faiths, and communities. It is the second-most populated country, seventh-largest nation by land, and the most populous democracy. Every area here has its own customs and traditions. With all of its glorious pride, the Indian subcontinent is a unique nation of its own kind. However, even with all these facets, India is primarily considered a developing country. One of the main issues India presently faces is the problem of Illiteracy. Illiteracy is a state whereby one is unable to read and write. In its simplest form, it can be defined as a lack of any or sufficient education.
Although this may seem absurd, the truth remains the same! As per the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report of 2017-18, 35% of the world’s illiterate population resides in India. While India has made significant progress in improving literacy over the years, it continues to be home to 313 million illiterate people, 59% of them being women.
Illiteracy in India is prevalent due to a complicated web of social and economic divides in the country. Financial disparities, gender bias, caste discrimination, and technological barriers lead to illiteracy in India. India has the largest population of illiterate adults, which further contributes to the vicious cycle of illiteracy in India. The educational infrastructure in India is still not fully developed. Due to this, there are still people who cannot access education. Poverty is the root cause of Illiteracy in India. Many do not have access to proper food, shelter, and clothing. They can not afford to educate their children and are forced to put them to work. Gender prejudices still exist in society. People believe that educating girls is not crucial. Therefore, they only send their sons to school, further leading to an imbalance of education between girls and boys.
Illiteracy affects a person in all areas of their life. An illiterate individual cannot read and write and hence cannot join the workforce. Additionally, the progeny of illiterate parents do not receive the same education as children of educated parents. Even if they go to the same school, children of illiterate parents lack the kind of understanding educated parents can give to their children. Illiteracy hence becomes an endless loop, affecting the social and economic development of India.
For a country to grow and prosper, its citizens should be educated to contribute to society. The provision of free education in schools, colleges, and universities by the government can play a major role in reducing illiteracy in a country by getting more people to study. Spreading awareness about the significance of education can help people understand the necessity of going to school. Unfortunately, even though education has its bonuses, it is very costly to fund. The cost of university education has been a key political and social issue in many polities. By lowering the cost of education, the government can make it easier for children to study up to the highest attainable levels. Contributions, subsidies, and scholarships can reduce the financial burden that parents and pupils bear in paying for education. This would make it possible for students to learn without interrupting their schooling due to the lack of fees.
The value of education should not be underestimated. Numerous people think of it merely as a process to gain the skills and expertise necessary for the job market. Although education gives an individual a competitive advantage in the job market, that is not all that it does. School plays an important role in the mental as well as social development of an individual. The lessons learned and the experiences gained while in school prepare the juvenile for life in society. One can learn problem-solving skills and develop social intelligence essential to overcome the challenges that life brings. Illiteracy, thus, has no room in the current society. More the individuals who have gone to school, the better the community. Everyone should aspire to be educated and gain knowledge because of the important benefits of being literate.
Bibliography:
1. Prabhu, Pranav. “Illiteracy in India”. ArcGIS StoryMaps. 27 May, 2021. Web. 11 March, 2022. <https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e6304125e0394b758b2b10d906155b85>
2. n.a. “10 facts on illiteracy in India that you must know”. Oxfam India. 8 Sep, 2015. Web. 11 March, 2022. <https://www.oxfamindia.org/featuredstories/10-facts-illiteracy-india-you-must-know#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20main%20cause,lead%20to%20illiteracy%20in%20India.>
3. n.a. “Reasons for Illiteracy in India.” Eduindex. 24 Sep, 2020. Web. 11 March, 2022.
<https://eduindex.org/2020/09/24/reasons-for-illiteracy-in-india/>
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