Essay on Illiteracy in India !

What is illiteracy? 

Illiteracy means ignorance or lack of knowledge in a specific subject. For example a person goes to school but he does not know how to operate a computer. Such a person has no literacy in computer and is considered illiterate in computer education. Computer literacy is required for almost every job in advertising today due to the digitization of most processes in the workplace. Not only computer, if a person is unable to read and write any written text, then he is called illiterate.

 Illiteracy in India

Any  mistake in reading or writing that is considered a characteristic of an illiterate person . For this definition, a speech or letter containing many errors can be considered full of illiteracy. For example, illiteracy is a state where everyone is unable to read and write.  It can be defined as the lack of adequate education. Unless all citizens are literate or educated, they can never read newspapers, circulars, notices, advertisements, posters and letters from near and dear ones. The female population constitutes a major part of the total illiterate population.

Indian Education System 

In India, the female literacy rate is around 65 percent and the male literacy rate is 82 percent. Therefore, female education is very important to eliminate illiteracy. Illiteracy is most visible among Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes who are not only poor but also unaware, uncertain and unwilling to improve themselves. Illiteracy not only deprives us of economic development but we are deprived of all the benefits of education, reading, writing etc, within the darkness of poverty.

It is a great thing that the Government of India is showing awareness and taking all possible steps to establish thousands of primary schools across the country. So that every citizen can become literate. For this, the government has declared primary education free in all government schools.

Causes of Illiteracy ,due to illiteracy

1.  Uneducated Parents

Many illiterate parents do not stress much on the importance of education. The parents of some children are illiterate, who can neither read nor write. Even today it is true that there are some areas where many people of the older generation have not even received formal education. Unlike those who are brought up by parents with a wide academic background. They realize the need to take their children to school and hence ensure that they get a good education as well.

2.  Lack of Family Support No Support from Parents

It can also be a cause of illiteracy so that where the child has difficulty in reading or writing due to dyslexia. In such a situation where the family does not understand the condition of the child and the children thus do not get the support of the family.

Other Problems

The modern age is the age of science. Today people are very busy in their work so they cannot sit and give all the information to each other. Because of that, nowadays all the things are written on a board. Like an illiterate person has to find his name in the reservation list or read the advertisement of items, but if the person is not educated, then he has to face difficulties everywhere. In this scientific age no work can be done without education.

The moneylenders  get their thumbs attached to the illiterate people and confiscate the land of the people of the village. Today illiterate people are exploited by people. Illiterates have to face difficulties everywhere at home and outside. Even people cannot use new machines due to illiteracy.

Efforts to Reduce Illiteracy, Possible Solutions to Stop Illiteracy

Free Education 

In one of its orders in 1993, the Supreme Court had said that the provision of free education in schools, colleges and universities can play a major role in reducing the level of illiteracy in the country by getting more people to school. Since some people are unable to enroll their children in school due to paucity of money to pay fees, the offer of free education can increase the number of people attending the school and subsequently reduce the illiteracy level in the society. Thus, in the year 2003, this rule was included in the Constitution under the Right to Education.

Awareness

Creating awareness about the importance of education can help people understand why they need to go to school. Many NGOs, government agencies and other concerned parties should be promoted and disseminated to create awareness in the society.

Grants

Providing grants, subsidies and scholarships can reduce the financial burden that parents and student need for education, are paid. Due to which there is some reduction in the school fee, due to which the education of the students can be completed without any hindrance.

Late Night Classes  / Night Classes

Working people can study in classes late at night. In this way, they can also learn and earn income through day jobs.

Free Books Free Education ,materials and Books

Government and various new students can provide free books in schools to encourage them to develop the culture of reading. Offering free books can also reduce the financial burden placed on parents in the provision of textbooks.

Conclusion 

Not only the government but every educated person should try to eliminate illiteracy and the work has to be accepted as a personal goal. Every effort made by all educated persons can help in eliminating this menace from the root.  Going to school plays a major role in the mental and social development of a person.

There is a statement by Barack Obama, -

“Change is not possible unless we wait for some time. We are what we were waiting for till now. We are the change we want to see.”