Govt directs fresh study on literacy rate

Shillong, Sept 9: Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob has instructed the state government to conduct an in-depth study on problem of education as well as literacy rate of the state.

Mr Jacob's instruction came when the Census department recorded 62.6 per cent literacy rate in Meghalaya when the state registered highest dropout rate in the Country.

'' How the state with the highest dropout rate in the country at the school-level can have such a high literacy rate, '' remarked the Governor at the concluding day of the state-wide enrolment drive 2006 organised by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan here, yesterday.

As per reports, Mr Jacob said during 2005-06, 10,9,636 children estimated to be out of school and as per DERT study, 15.47 per cent of the children dropout at Upper primary level and 30.24 per cent dropout at the primary stage.

However, he said Meghalaya had been marching hand in hand with the Centre to achieve the goals of universalisation of elementary education.

'' The state has its own problems and issues that need to be addressed and a lot of efforts put in to address the educational needs of children with special needs, '' Mr Jacob added.

Appealing to the government officials, the Governor also called for people's co-operation to government to raise the literacy rate in the state.

State Minister in-charge, Mass and Elementary Education, Prestone Tynsong said the statewide enrolment drive has three dimensions which include free education to children below 14 years of age, education for the under privileged and disabled children and to bring back the dropouts to school.

UNI