Primary Education in India

Indian government has made Primary education compulsory and free. Primary education is a fundamental right in India, and an important Millennium Development Goal to which India is totally committed. The Government of India recognizes education as a critical input for the development of human capital, jobs for its people, and economic growth for the country.

Though government is taking several steps to make India illiteracy free but that efforts are not enough. About 10 million primary age children remain out of school and social disparities persist. Some independent surveys have shown that half of all children in the 7-14 age groups cannot read.

So, we not only need fascinating schemes like mid-day meal and free education to attract children towards the schools but need of the hour is to spread awareness among the parents to make them understand that how important education is for their children to lead an independent life.

Progress in Primary Education In India

Two decades of focused programs in basic education have brought about a remarkable improvement in primary education in India:

• Out of school children, most belonging to marginalized social groups, have been reduced from 25 million in 2003 to 9.6 million in 2005-06
• Net Enrolment Rate at primary level has risen from 68% in 1993 to 85% in 2005-06
• Transition Rates from the primary to the upper primary level have risen from 75 percent in 2002 to 83 percent in 2006.
• The gender gap has reduced. There are now 92 girls for every 100 boys in primary school
• The social gap has narrowed. By 2005-06, scheduled caste children made up over 18% of all primary school children, better reflecting their presence in the overall population. Children belonging to scheduled tribes made up over 9% of all primary school students.