“100% literacy is not only about writing the alphabet or you name in mother tongue”. I have seen this statement being made by a lot of people on Internet, including Keralites. Yes. I agree. But it’s a beginning. To explore more things to read. To know. To discuss. To understand. Let me digress now.
Now, about Kerala, we shall explore past a bit. There is a respected girls’ school in Kottayam (near Baker Bakery Jn., if I remember), where I have seen and read myself on a plaque that it was established in 1830. The Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam was started in 1875. There are several schools in Kerala which have at least 50 years of history. So, it means that in the area of education, Kerala already had a leap start, and it should be because of the Missionaries’ influence.
Then, about the caste system, the ancient and inhuman practices were rampant and prevalent in Kerala too. But history says that the agitations against such atrocities have already started before 1900 itself, through people like Sree Narayana Guru, Dr.Palpu etc. Then there were people like K Kelappan and AKG, who fought for equality, which resulted in some revolutionary developments such as Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936. Then came the growth of ideologies like communism, which became part of Kerala mainstream life which, I believe, had lots to do with education and the fights against inequalities.
Now, this is the background that has helped Kerala to achieve 100% literacy so easily and helped the state to top every other social indices. So, when someone say that ‘100% literacy is not only about writing the alphabet or you name in mother tongue’ with a tinge of sarcasm, it surprises me because there are many things that will go beyond this 100% literacy.
Putting some things in perspective, a divide still remains in Uthapuram after the demolition of wall that separated people in the name of caste. Note that the year was 2008. In India, more than 50% children suffer from malnutrition, except Kerala, which indicates our insensitivity towards our next generations. And there are many more pieces of info like these are easily available over the internet.
So, am I gushing and boasting about Kerala? No. Not at all. But, in a social perspective, Kerala is an example. When we have only the economic growth indicator as our benchmark (where Kerala moves in a pace lower than the national rate!), we are doing some things wrong. Really wrong. For that, education is the only way out. Literacy is the key. It’s so surprising that our spending in education and literacy is still very low. If we want 100% benefits of women empowerment programmes, we need education for women as well as men. To come out of the patriarchal shackles in our society, we need education. To wipe out the widespread exploitation, we need people who know at least about their fundamental rights.
So, the only answer is Education. Literacy rate is an indicator. We need a 100% rate of literacy in every state of our country, to make the exploited know that it’s not the exploiter’s right to exploit him/her. And, in that aspect, Kerala is a proven success.
Now, about Kerala, we shall explore past a bit. There is a respected girls’ school in Kottayam (near Baker Bakery Jn., if I remember), where I have seen and read myself on a plaque that it was established in 1830. The Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam was started in 1875. There are several schools in Kerala which have at least 50 years of history. So, it means that in the area of education, Kerala already had a leap start, and it should be because of the Missionaries’ influence.
Then, about the caste system, the ancient and inhuman practices were rampant and prevalent in Kerala too. But history says that the agitations against such atrocities have already started before 1900 itself, through people like Sree Narayana Guru, Dr.Palpu etc. Then there were people like K Kelappan and AKG, who fought for equality, which resulted in some revolutionary developments such as Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936. Then came the growth of ideologies like communism, which became part of Kerala mainstream life which, I believe, had lots to do with education and the fights against inequalities.
Now, this is the background that has helped Kerala to achieve 100% literacy so easily and helped the state to top every other social indices. So, when someone say that ‘100% literacy is not only about writing the alphabet or you name in mother tongue’ with a tinge of sarcasm, it surprises me because there are many things that will go beyond this 100% literacy.
Putting some things in perspective, a divide still remains in Uthapuram after the demolition of wall that separated people in the name of caste. Note that the year was 2008. In India, more than 50% children suffer from malnutrition, except Kerala, which indicates our insensitivity towards our next generations. And there are many more pieces of info like these are easily available over the internet.
So, am I gushing and boasting about Kerala? No. Not at all. But, in a social perspective, Kerala is an example. When we have only the economic growth indicator as our benchmark (where Kerala moves in a pace lower than the national rate!), we are doing some things wrong. Really wrong. For that, education is the only way out. Literacy is the key. It’s so surprising that our spending in education and literacy is still very low. If we want 100% benefits of women empowerment programmes, we need education for women as well as men. To come out of the patriarchal shackles in our society, we need education. To wipe out the widespread exploitation, we need people who know at least about their fundamental rights.
So, the only answer is Education. Literacy rate is an indicator. We need a 100% rate of literacy in every state of our country, to make the exploited know that it’s not the exploiter’s right to exploit him/her. And, in that aspect, Kerala is a proven success.
1 comments:
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.
Alvin Toffler
Your article exemplifies this sentiment beautifully.
Cheers!
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