Odisha outperformed the national average but huge literacy gap between Rural and urban students
In the National Achievement Survey (NAS) – 2021 that was conducted in the month of November, Odisha outperformed the national average literacy rate but a huge gap was observed in the learning outcomes of the children studying in urban and rural areas, and the gap increased in the criteria of higher education.
Private schools scored well in comparison to the government schools
According to the 2011 Census, Odisha’s literacy rate is 72.9 percent. The literacy rate in rural areas is 70.2%, but it is 85.7% in urban areas. While women in rural areas have a literacy rate of 60.7%, men in rural areas have a literacy rate of 79.6%. But 2021’s NAS report revealed that the students studying in private schools scored well in all subjects in comparison to the students studying in a government school in the state.
Accessibility has been a great challenge in the rural area during the pandemic
“Since the pandemic hit hard due to the corona, accessibility to education as it was conducted online has been a great challenge in the rural areas. Accessibility to the internet connectivity, smart devices and even operational issues for those who somehow managed the devices. If we look at the urban areas the children and adults had a fruitful outcome through online classes and internet connection which was not the case in the rural areas and this is one of the reasons for the accessibility and literacy gap between rural and urban children.”
Blorin Mohanty, General secretary of Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti Odisha
“We have been working for the education sector since for last 30 years. It is one of our main aims. During the pandemic we have been running the campaigns, and conducted classes in the tribal areas. We observed that the children used to go to the woods with their parents from the morning and return in the evening and this pattern resulted in the collapsing of the education system there.” Mr. Mohanty further added.
What can be done to reduce this gap in the state?
Despite government efforts, progress is not evident in the results, and there remains a significant discrepancy between rural and urban areas. A more researched and outcome-oriented planning would be of great help in erasing the gap. And more importantly working on the accessibility of resources to the students regarding education is really essential for future development and in reducing the literacy gap between urban and rural students.
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