Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: Jharkhand has witnessed significant improvements in education, with the state’s literacy rate increasing from 53% in 2000 to 76% in 2023-24, according to the Economic Survey. This marks a remarkable growth in literacy over the past two decades.
Gender Equality in Literacy
In 2023-24, the literacy rate among men stood at 83%, while for women, it was 70%. The gender gap in literacy, which was 27% in 2019-20, has narrowed to 17.2% in 2023-24, reflecting better access to education for women.
Rural-Urban Disparity
In 2023-24, literacy in rural Jharkhand was 74.3%, while urban areas recorded 86.6%. The gap between rural and urban literacy, which was 18.7% in 2019-20, has reduced to 14.2% in 2023-24.
Challenges in Education Quality
The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021 highlighted learning deficiencies among Jharkhand’s students, especially in rural areas. For Class 3 students, performance in language and mathematics was below the national average, indicating the need for improved teaching methods and resources.
Higher Education Struggles
The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education stood at 20% in 2023-24, which is lower than the national average of 28.4%. Women’s participation in higher education remains a challenge, particularly among Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Policy Recommendations
Jharkhand needs to implement targeted policies to bridge rural-urban educational gaps, improve the student-teacher ratio, and enhance access to digital learning tools. Vocational training programs and public-private partnerships can help improve learning outcomes.
Investing in higher education and promoting inclusivity at all levels will be crucial in achieving long-term educational equality and excellence in the state.
