Government aims to achieve 80% Literacy Rate by 2017

June 19, 2013

The Union Government of India has set a target to achieve 80% literacy rate in the country by 2017. The current literacy rate of the country stands at 74%. As part of this effort, the government will strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions as it serves as an important leverage to promote education in general and literacy in particular.

Key Instrument:
The key instrument in achieving this target will be Saakshar Bharat Programme that is operational in 372 districts covering nearly 1.5 lakh gram panchayats expanded over 25 states.
The need to bridge the gender gap in rural and urban areas to achieve the target has also been emphasized upon.
About Saakshar Bharat Programme
Launched on International Literacy Day, 8 September 2009. It is a centrally sponsored scheme of Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India (GOI).
Aim: To promote and strengthen adult education, specially of women, by providing educational options to those adults who having lost the opportunity of access to formal education and crossed the standard age for receiving such education, now feel a need for learning of any type, including, literacy, basic education (equivalency to formal education), vocational education (skill development), physical and emotional development, practical arts, applied science, sports, and recreation.