Confusion over literacy rate

The governmental propensity to exaggerating literacy figures has been pronounced. Just as we don't want to underplay any headway truly made so also are we averse to living with a lie, especially with regard to such an important development parameter. There is an analogy embedded in recent history. The erstwhile AL government claimed self-sufficiency in food; the present government has made something of an issue there by deciding to probe the former government's claim to autarky. Now it seems to be the turn for literacy.

We should not fudge figures. It will be self-defeating if we did so. Correct literacy rate is not only obtainable but it is also highly desirable. The literacy statistics need not be incoherent and varied. For, their veracity can be tested, to arrive at a single figure, against a criterion which has more or less been agreed to by all concerned: possession of skills in reading, writing and numeracy relating to familiar contents and contexts and the ability to use these skills in everyday life in order to function effectively in society. An authentic literacy rate, let's not forget, can be key to proper planning and a major tool for sustainable development.

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We find Jahanara Begum's comments on the report to be misleading and ill informed, no doubt prepared by self-serving bureaucrats who always try to hide unpleasant facts from public representatives.

We strongly suggest that the government takes a serious look into the findings of the EW Report which is based on greater details needed for national assessment of this nature. Government would be well advised not to look at reports of this type negatively but cooperate with NGOs like CAMPE, who are trying to help the administration by projecting the real situation.