Reaching the Unreached A Challenge for Rural Development

Reaching the Unreached A Challenge for Rural DevelopmentIntroductionThe most important stumbling block to socio-economic development is illiteracy, especially adult illiteracy.18 to 20 per cent children are never enrolledHuge drop-out rateNot more than 7 per cent of the relevant age-group attend the tertiary level of education.Rate of growth of population outstrips the rate of growth of literacyIlliteracy forces lowly paid agricultural employment and unemploymentThe Problem with Rural DevelopmentIlliteracyLow Skill DevelopmentDire need to educate the teeming underprivileged massesBarriers Social, Economic, Religious Low per capita income, dogmas, etc.Low Human Resource Development

The ParadoxOn one hand, India can claim to possess the second largest educational infrastructure in world, next only to the U.S.A.Tertiary Education Several pockets of excellence

On the other hand, India contributes 40% towards the worlds illiterates. Actual number of illiterates increasing The ExplosionsExplosion of expectation after independence Only articulated by the urban elite and heavy-weightsCake of independence was taken away by the select fewHigher Education a prerogative of the richer fewAccentuated the imbalanceExplosion of PopulationMajority of the population is rural The situation of rural education is pity-worthyFewer motivators for children to attain educationHuman Resource and EducationIndia has a huge pool of labour and human resourceLow Skill DevelopmentLow per capita productivityResource is more of a burden than an advantageIlliteracy does not allow for the labour to acquire any new skills

Education and the Girl Child

Neglectedwork participation ratio is very lowoverwhelming majority engaged as agricultural labour - physically exacting also poorly remunerated.Limitations to female educationNeed to spend on dowryNo schools in vicinitySocial Stigmas

For variousreasons woman has been the most neglected in this part of the world. The womans role as amother, who can mould the character of the new generation and make it far stronger physicallyand mentally, is generally overlooked.Strategies of Educating the underprivilegedStrategy for babies born in the 21st Century

Strategy for the illiterate children and adults carried over from the last century

Special Features of the Open & Distance Learning

Vocational Education

Strategy for babies born in the 21st Century

Current spending on primary education 3.5% of GDPMinimum expected spending 7% of GDPNecessary RequirementsFree primary and elementary level education to all children belonging to the under-privileged sectionsRemoval of Food InsecurityIncentives to parents of school going children as opportunity cost of working children, wage employments, financial assistance etc.Free supply of schooling kits

Mid-day meals to childrenScholarships for children in higher classesAppointment of tribal teachers knowing their own (tribal) languages and dialectsLocation of schools very close to their habitats. If the settlements are very small, locating schools at the central points within working distances Specialised training of teachers Use of scientific media methods including IT/ICT, to convince the parents and guardians Heavy concentration on rural female literacy/educationStrategy for babies born in the 21st Century

Strategy for the illiterate carried over from the last centuryMany are either school non-enrollees or dropoutsFutile to expect them to enroll in regular schoolsNon Formal Education (NFE)Open and Distance Learning (ODL)National Literacy Mission implementation of NFE scheme Mixed successStrategy for the illiterate carried over from the last centuryODL Not fully exploited for literacy and basic education.But in recent times, it is realized as a useful tool for combating illiteracy Needs to be strengthened providing education in terms of certificates, degrees, etc.Serves as the fast increasing number of seekers of non-formal distance education.Should be backed by a strong and efficient educational organisation well provided financially, administratively and academically

Special Features of the ODLWide choice of subjects, satisfying individual learners needs, interests and AbilitiesNo upper age restrictions and longer time range to complete certain coursesContinuous Assessment SystemPersonal Contact Programmes ( PCP)Printed self-learning materialsPersonal Contact Programme tutors and academic counselorsUse of modern communication and information technologiesAudio-video Programmes and tele conferencingInternet and websites- for student information.Interactive periodical magazines.

Vocational EducationNeed to cover rural school drop-outsType of vocational training must be related to agriculture and allied occupations

Long-term strategyHeavy investment in the basic infrastructureEx - all-weather roads, water supply and power Consequences (in case of its absence) Villages will always remain backwardVillage population will be illiterate and unskilled.Is there political will necessary for such a strategy inthe democratic set up?

CONCLUSIONNew strategies of compulsory primary and elementary education must be devised and forcefully implemented.For new born formal type of education is best suited.For illiterate children and adults - non-formal and open and distance learning modes is best suited.Carry over problem of bygonesDeficiencies of both formal and non-formal modes need to be improvedConcentration on female education may reduce problem of parental indifference and child labour.

CONCLUSIONUrgent measures Increase in national savingsPublic investment in primary education.Key factor Population factorReduction in population -> Reduction in consumption of goods and services -> increase in per capita availability of inevitable resources -> demand in fields of education will come down -> enable the planners to raise efficiency.