Hyderabad: The Union HRD ministry has asked Telangana State to step up its efforts to increase the literacy in the state and reduce the dropout rate in schools. The state has also been asked to make efforts to bring back to schools children who have dropped out due to one or other reason. It has must target people in the age group of 35-45 to increase the literacy levels.
Union school education and literacy secretary Dr S.C. Khuntia visited the state on Friday to review the progress of various schemes under the school education department.
Dr Khuntia remarked that the state was lagging behind in literacy, it being at the 32nd position in the country. Literacy rate in Telangana State is far below the national average 66.46 per cent. The national literacy rate is 73.99 per cent.
Dr Khuntia told state officials to target the age group of 35 to 45 years to increase literacy in the state. The proportion of students going to private schools, he noted, was extremely high and the government should strengthen the public schooling system.
He also asked state officials to ensure that the list of students qualified for the National Talent Search Examination is released without delay, so that they can receive the scholarships and benefits.
He also told the state to fill vacant positions of teachers in government schools and merge those having low student enrollment with the nearby schools. Dr Khuntia also suggested that parents of two each students in each government school be called everyday during mid-day meals in a rotating system.
