100% literacy-a romantic trail

For once, let me side with Education Minister, Bosiram Siram and venture on his romantic escapade- 100% literacy by 2017! Without implying or even hinting, in any which way, that the well-intended aspiration and ambition is bordering on the unrealistic rhetoric, lets appreciate that  there are structural challenges in the way of achieving 100% literacy that Siram needs to take cognisance of; bereft of which it would fail, statistically by a margin of at least 25-30%. Setting his sight on the moon, optimistically, Siram is sure of plucking at least a few stars if nothing else.

The statistical concern stems from the last census report wherein “once upon a time” credible organisation threw up exotic census data including record-breaking 114% decadal population growth in Kurung Kumey besides recording at least 15-20% "ghost-population" residing in every village. Given the Planning Commission of India’s approach to fund allocation method--linking budget-to-population, I expect ghost-population to exist in foreseeable future as much. Adding to the ghost-population is the ghost-student enrollment, a new phenomenon witnessed in the last few years. There are hundreds and thousands of “ghost students”-- on thumb-rule at least 5-10% fresh enrollments in many of the far-flung schools. Pocket boroughs have been created to siphon-off stipends meant for the students. In essence, seeking comfort in 75000 fresh enrollments in the last 3 years, that’s roughly 4%, as Siram claimed recently in the media, has been taken with a pinch of salt by those in the know of this “ghost enrollment” business. It is hoped that these “ghosts” do not resurrect in later years to haunt the accomplices. With the preceding observations, there is very little alternative but to revalidate the census report and school enrollment records.

However the second approach albeit a more contentious one involves a bit of “crystal ball gazing” despite sticking to available data. Method of picking this class of population may not be entirely scientific yet provides as an indicator to the state of ignored population. With life expectancy improving dramatically, there are ‘antique’ populations, who have never been to school, still hanging around, on one side and on the other side, not much progress has been made under adult literacy programme in villages. There are villages where adult education officers have not set foot in ages, forget educating them. We cannot wish-away such sizeable population of at least another 5-10%, not even in data compilations as is usually the case.

Aforementioned two inherent challenges standing tall, wide and long as the “Great Wall of China” against Siram’s seminal goal, one needs to acknowledge and entertain the importance of ability to read; leaving aside the ability to decipher or comprehend- the very basic of quality education. In the recent past, the quality-education has become a propriety subject over which private sector apparently has claimed exclusivity, nudging-off the government schools; herein comes the question of incumbents repeated attempt to fail the well designed system, structure and policy.

Quality education, a least talked about dimension in the policy discourse of the state, is a matter of grave concern; a concern, unfortunately, relegated to the ghettos. In the state-specific context as much as the global arena, emphasis on quality is not an aesthetic sermon but an essential ingredient in the survival tool-kit. In the knowledge-era, ability to synthesize and comprehend is taken as a common yardstick of quality-education. Thus, discerning youths fear for the relevance of education, in its current form that is being disseminated by the graduates of open/distance education courses.

Quality alone is the panacea but derision of the same in the narratives of education policy and priorities in the state must be subjected to correction. Or else, 100% literacy drive, sans quality, would remain an eccentric indulgence in romantic trail. However with quality topping onto literacy mission, it would appear as more palatable bait for all stakeholders.