Shivangi Sharma and Pragya Jain
(15.12.2019)
Survey published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation puts Kerala at number one for having the highest age specific attendance ratio (ASAR) for women, both in urban and rural areas, starting from pre-primary level to pre-university education. The survey also lists Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Telangana and Tamil Nadu having high ASARs.
ASAR is the percentage of people in that age-group currently attending educational institutions, irrespective of the level or class in which they are studying. A high ASAR denotes a high degree of educational participation of the population of the particular age.
Kerala posted ASAR of 60% at the pre-primary level in the age group 3-5 years whereas at the pre-university level at class 11-12 in the age group 14-17 years, the state registered an attendance ratio of 99.5%. Both of these exceed the national average ratio of 32.1 % and 77.5% respectively.
Attendance covered in the report is both formal and non-formal education. The non-formal education included ‘Non-formal Education Centre’, ‘Total Literacy Campaign’, ‘Adult Education Centres and other non-formal education.
Apart from Kerala, Punjab with 57%, Telangana with 54%, Tamil Nadu with 54%, Himachal Pradesh with 53% and Delhi with 50% show high ASAR at pre-primary level. At the pre-university level, Himachal Pradesh reports 94.4%, Uttarakhand 92.7%, Telangana 92.1% and Tamil Nadu 91.6% ASAR.
Uttar Pradesh was ranked lowest in the survey with 22.7% and 64.5% ASAR in both the age groups respectively.
