Though our Govt. wanted to remove illiteracy, it has not been able to do much in this regard. If we go into rural area in the interior we will be shocked to see their condition. At the beginning of 80s Govt. promised to make literate ten crore and 74 lakhs of illiterate people in the age group of 15-35 years by 1990. But the promise has not been fulfilled. Considering the importance of adult education in the rural areas the Govt. of West Bengal has directed the Panchayats to give special attention to adult education in their areas. The Left Front, the ruling party of West Bengal has started a massive campaign to free West Bengal from the curse of illiteracy by 1995. Literacy does not mean simply the ability to sign one’s name. A person will be called literate if he can read, write and do sums as well as show his skills in doing something for his improvement and improvement of society. So such literate person shall have to take part in the work of improvement of his class as well as society. They will do their respective work in the day and in night they will be taught the three R’s. They will also learn many things regarding themselves through media of radio and television. The radio, television and newspaper are the most important media of spreading mass education. There must exist a community hall in every village. People will assemble there regularly and properly trained persons paid by the Govt. will teach them. They will also learn a bit of history and geography of their country. They will learn their craft, cultivation, cottage industries on scientific basis which will help them in return to earn more money. If this is carried into effect it will surely reduce illiteracy among the adult persons.
Education is the basis of the economic and cultural development of a country. The vast masses of people living in rural India form the majority of the population of the country. If they remain illiterate no upliftment of the country is possible. These rural masses are mostly very poor. They are ill-fed, ill-clad, ill-sheltered, untreated in illness and are illiterate. They do not get pure drinking water. Every year epidemics break out there and many poor people fall victims to these. These evils should be removed to prepare the ground for progress in all spheres. For this purpose our Govt. and the leaders should give top priority to these suffering millions. If their condition is improved the upliftment of the country will be easier. These people will then be able to realize their position. They will know what is necessary for their improvement. They will themselves act for their improvement. They will know what is god for them and what is bad. They will judge for them who to vote for in an election. They will no longer be exploited by the self-seeking political leaders. So education of the illiterate masses, especially of the elderly people is of outmost importance. Hence we see the importance of adult education and top priority should be given to educate them.
Though our Govt. wanted to remove illiteracy, it has not been able to do much in this regard. If we go into rural area in the interior we will be shocked to see their condition. At the beginning of 80s Govt. promised to make literate ten crore and 74 lakhs of illiterate people in the age group of 15-35 years by 1990. But the promise has not been fulfilled. Considering the importance of adult education in the rural areas the Govt. of West Bengal has directed the Panchayats to give special attention to adult education in their areas. The Left Front, the ruling party of West Bengal has started a massive campaign to free West Bengal from the curse of illiteracy by 1995. Literacy does not mean simply the ability to sign one’s name. A person will be called literate if he can read, write and do sums as well as show his skills in doing something for his improvement and improvement of society. So such literate person shall have to take part in the work of improvement of his class as well as society. They will do their respective work in the day and in night they will be taught the three R’s. They will also learn many things regarding themselves through media of radio and television. The radio, television and newspaper are the most important media of spreading mass education. There must exist a community hall in every village. People will assemble there regularly and properly trained persons paid by the Govt. will teach them. They will also learn a bit of history and geography of their country. They will learn their craft, cultivation, cottage industries on scientific basis which will help them in return to earn more money. If this is carried into effect it will surely reduce illiteracy among the adult persons.
