EDUCATION AND ILLITERACY

Literacy is the ability to read, write and understand information in order to communicate effectively. This is the most basic level of educational aspiration that every citizen should have. According to a 2011 census, the average literacy rate in India stands at 74.04%. However, this is not enough when we take into consideration India’s massive population and the roadblocks it places in the life of an illiterate person.

If a person is unable to read or write, their options for working and bettering their life circumstances are limited. They will be lacking in awareness and unable to participate in informed decision-making. This has an impact on the wages they earn, their standard of living, and also their ability to provide an education to their children. Many times, illiteracy turns into a vicious cycle as illiterate parents often lack the kind of awareness that educated parents can give to their children.

The causes for illiteracy are varied — economic disparities, caste and gender discrimination, technological barriers, accessibility etc. The poverty of the parents will have an effect on the life of the children, in many instances they are required to forego their education in order to earn money, keeping in mind the survival of the family. As is so frequently the case, the girl child is expected to sacrifice her education first. Children with disabilities also suffer because the infrastructure that can support them is too painfully often absent.

Our aim is to run intervention at the point of causation. We want to address and change the situation of poverty that keeps families and children downtrodden. We want to free up the time and energy of the children so that they can enjoy their childhood, go to school, educate themselves and break the vicious cycle.