India’s ‘100% literacy by 2030’ goal hits Bihar wall

India's ambition to achieve 100% literacy by 2030 is a critical national goal, reflective of its commitment to inclusive growth and human development. This target aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which calls for ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The headline 'India’s ‘100% literacy by 2030’ goal hits Bihar wall' underscores a persistent challenge: the uneven distribution of educational progress across states, with Bihar frequently identified as a primary impediment.

Historically, India has made significant strides in literacy since independence. From a dismal 18.33% literacy rate in 1951, the nation has progressed to over 77.7% as per the National Statistical Office (NSO) survey in 2017-18. This journey has been propelled by various policy initiatives. The National Literacy Mission (NLM), launched in 1988, aimed at imparting functional literacy to non-literates in the 15-35 age group. This was followed by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in 2001, a flagship program for universalizing elementary education. The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 was a landmark, inserting Article 21A, which made education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14 years, further solidified by the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. More recently, the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) and adult education, with schemes like the 'Nav Bharat Saaksharata Karyakram' (2022-2027) targeting adult literacy.

Bihar, however, remains a formidable 'wall' in this national endeavor. As per Census 2011, Bihar had the lowest literacy rate among all Indian states at 61.8%, significantly below the national average. Within Bihar, female literacy stood even lower, highlighting profound gender disparities. The challenges are multi-faceted: deep-rooted socio-economic inequalities, high rates of poverty, large number of out-of-school children, insufficient educational infrastructure, low teacher-to-student ratios, poor quality of instruction, and cultural factors that sometimes de-prioritize education, especially for girls. Migration for work also disrupts educational continuity for many families.

Key stakeholders in achieving the 2030 literacy goal include the Central Government (Ministry of Education, NITI Aayog) which formulates policies, allocates funds, and monitors progress. State Governments, particularly Bihar's Education Department, are crucial for effective implementation, resource utilization, and tailoring programs to local needs. Local bodies (Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies) play a vital role in community mobilization and ensuring last-mile delivery. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and NGOs often supplement government efforts, reaching marginalized communities and innovating teaching methodologies. Ultimately, the success hinges on the active participation of parents, teachers, and students themselves.

Achieving 100% literacy is paramount for India's socio-economic development. Economically, a literate populace is more productive, adaptable to new technologies, and contributes to a skilled workforce, driving economic growth and reducing poverty. Socially, literacy empowers individuals, particularly women, leading to better health outcomes, reduced child mortality, lower rates of child marriage, and increased civic participation. It fosters a more informed citizenry capable of making better life choices and engaging meaningfully in democratic processes. The failure to achieve universal literacy would severely undermine India's demographic dividend, turning a potential asset into a liability if a large section of its youth remains uneducated and unemployable. It would also hinder India's ability to meet its international commitments, including the SDGs.

Beyond Article 21A, the Constitution of India also guides educational policy through Article 45, which directs the State to endeavor to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years. Article 39(f) mandates that the State shall direct its policy towards securing that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. These Directive Principles of State Policy underpin the state's responsibility towards education.

Looking ahead, the 'Bihar wall' necessitates targeted, context-specific interventions. This includes increased public expenditure on education, improving the quality of teaching through better training and incentives, strengthening infrastructure, leveraging technology for remote learning and teacher support, and launching aggressive adult literacy campaigns. Addressing socio-economic disparities, ensuring gender equity in access and retention, and fostering community ownership of schools are critical. The success of India's 2030 literacy goal will largely depend on its ability to overcome the challenges in states like Bihar, transforming them from obstacles into engines of educational progress, thereby ensuring a truly inclusive and equitable future for all its citizens.