Census Data According To Populations By Literacy Levels

The level-education and literacy levels are critical indicators of the development obtained by society. The escalation of literacy is associated with features of modern civilization like industrialization, modernization, communication, etc. It allows an individual to comprehend the political, social, and cultural environment to answer it correctly. 

The higher the level of education, the greater the awareness of literacy levels, resulting in the enhancement of social and economic constraints. It functions as a catalyst for social improvement, increasing the returns on investment constructs in the context of development. It includes population by literacy levels, hygiene etc. 

What is the Census?

• Census refers to gathering, assembling, and publishing economic, social, and demographic data at a specific time for citizens of a country. It counts in most countries, including the census of housing. 
• The process includes gathering, assembling, and publishing details of living quarters and buildings. The type of information a census collects includes the residents aged between 0-100+ years. It also includes workers, households consisting of families and unrelated adults, and Housing-related facilities. 
• India’s 2001-2011 literacy growth indicated 9.2%, which is lesser than in previous decades. Many analysts suggest that it may take up to 2060 for the country to obtain universal literacy. Although the 2020 literacy growth of India is estimated at 77.7%, Kerala ranks highest in terms of literacy in the country, followed by Lakshadweep and Mizoram. 

The achievement in the 11th five-year-old period 

• The transitional report of the 2011 Census suggests that despite the literacy rate of India’s rise at 9.2%, the national literacy levels or the population by literacy levels do not increase more than 74.0%. The only states or Union territories that could obtain up to 80% or more are Mizoram, Kerala, Goa, Tripura, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Sikkim, and Nagaland. The Union territories are Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, Daman and Diu, and Lakshadweep. 
• The 15th census reports a higher literacy level than that of males. On the one hand, the male literacy rate has increased by 6.86%, from 75.26% to 82.14% in 2011. At the same time, the female literacy rate has increased by 11.79% ranging from 53.67% to 65.46% at the same time. 
• In addition, the gender differences reported at 21.6 per cent points at the 15th census have subsided at 16.7 percent points. 
• Eight states and Union territories that could minimize the gender gap by 10% are Nagaland, Mizoram, Chandigarh, Meghalaya, Tripura, Kerala, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar-islands. 
• Therefore, in the consummation of the 11th five-year Plan, three plan targets failed to achieve. It includes the gender gap, social and regional disparities, and reduced overall literacy rate by five percentage points. 

The National Literacy Mission (NLM)

• The National Literacy Mission was launched on 5th May 1988 by the Central government of India to eradicate illiteracy in the country entirely. It does so by imposing functional literacy on illiterate people. 
• The central government not only aimed at making the general public self-reliant but also aware of the development issues impacting society. Although, the NLM targeted a specific age group, 15-35, under the guidance of NLM authority. 

Objectives of the National Literacy Mission 

The National Literacy Mission led four objectives at its launch. It includes-

1. Imposing functional literacy to illiterates 
2. Obtaining equivalency in the educational system
3. Transmitting skill development programs 
4. Promotion of an inclination society by providing education opportunities 

Target groups 

The main focus of the NLM is to impose functional literacy on the age group 15 years and more. They support the children under their vocational program and basic education program. It focuses on urban populations and rural populations with low literacy levels, and caste groups. 

Innovations curriculum

The National Literacy Mission focuses on developing a structural framework for quality benchmarks and education programs. An expert committee was set up to take responsibility for consulting with stakeholders, regional meetings, etc. 

National Population Education Programme (NPEP)

The National Population Education Programme was implemented to spread awareness for the rural and urban populations regarding development issues among the students and other communities. 

The teachers and professionals get training under the population education in the context of school and teacher education to deliver adequate knowledge to others. 

The objective of the 12th Plan 

The 12th Plan focuses on providing basic literacy to the illiterates and primary education and vocational skill development training to adults. Although, the focus on shifting from low to high-level learning to establish a literate society would align with the National Vocational Curriculum Framework. 

Conclusion

Henceforth, above is the brief census data as per the population by literacy levels and its objectives for rural and urban populations. The literacy levels and education level being the indicators for a developed society remains the main objective of the National Literacy mission.