Definition

 Adult literacy rate is defined as the percentage of the population aged 15 years and over who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on his/her everyday life. Generally, the term ‘literacy’ embraces also ‘numeracy’, the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations. The adult literacy rate reflects the accumulated achievement of primary education and adult literacy programmes in imparting basic literacy skills to the population, thereby enabling people to apply such skills in daily life and to continue learning and communicating using the written word. Literacy represents a potential for the individual’s further intellectual growth and enhanced contribution to socio-economic and cultural development of society.

Unit of Measurement

Percentage of the population aged 15+ that is literate

Discussion

A high adult literacy rate suggests the existence of an effective primary education system and/or adult literacy programmes that have enabled a large proportion of the population to acquire the ability of using the written word (and making simple arithmetic calculations) in daily life. It is common practice to present and analyse literacy rates together with the absolute numbers of adult illiterates, because improvements in literacy rates may sometimes be accompanied nevertheless by increases in the illiterate population, due to the changing demographic structure.

See Also

Literacy Rate: 15-24 years population, literacy gender parity index and expenditure on adult and continuing education programmes

Lead Agencies

UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, UNDP and  UNFPA.

Typical Availability Time Lag

Ten years

Internationally Agreed Methodology

Yes

Method of Collection

Collected as a part of Census of India operations once in ten year.  The information is collected from the head of the household who is the main respondent. The collection is based on complete enumeration, as all the households of the country are included in the census operations.  The Office of the Registrar General of India conducts census. A few estimates on literacy rates are also available on housed hold sample basis.  These surveys are conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation.

Known Indicator Limitations

Since the census is conducted once in ten year, the literacy figures in intermediary years based on complete enumeration is not available.  The information is based upon the responses of the head of the household.  Generally, tests are not conducted to know abilities of the literate population.

Indicator 2: Literacy Rate: 15-24 Years Old Population

Definition

The number of persons aged 15-24 who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life, divided by the population in that age-group. The literacy rate of the 15 to 24 year-olds has a special significance in reflecting the recent outcomes of the basic education process. It is a summary measure of the effectiveness of the education system.

 Unit of Measurement

Percentage of the population aged 15-24 years that is literate

Discussion

A high literacy rate among the 15-24 year olds suggests a high level of participation and retention in primary education, and its effectiveness in imparting the basic skills of reading and writing. Because persons belonging to this age group are entering adult life, monitoring their literacy levels is important in respect to national human resources policies, as well as for tracking and forecasting progress in adult literacy.

See Also

Adult Literacy Rate: 15+ Population, literacy gender parity index and expenditure on adult and continuing education programmes

Lead Agencies

UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, UNDP and  UNFPA.

Typical Availability Time Lag

Ten years

Internationally Agreed Methodology

Yes

Method of Collection

Collected as a part of Census of India operations once in ten year.  The information is collected from the head of the household who is the main respondent. The collection is based on complete enumeration, as all the households of the country are included in the census operations.  The Office of the Registrar General of India conducts census. A few estimates on literacy rates are also available on housed hold sample basis.  These surveys are conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation

Known Indicator Limitations

Since the census is conducted once in ten year, the literacy figures in intermediary years based on complete enumeration is not available.  The information is based upon the responses of the head of the household.  Generally, tests are not conducted to know abilities of the literate population.

Indicator 3: Literacy Gender Parity Index

Definition

The ratio of the female to male adult literacy rates measures progress towards gender equity in literacy and the level of learning opportunities available for women in relation to those available to men.  It serves also as a significant indicator of the empowerment of women in society.

Unit of Measurement

Ratio of female to male literacy rate

Discussion

When the literacy gender parity index shows a value equal to one, female literacy and male literacy rates are equal. A value less than one indicates that proportionately fewer women than men have basic literacy skills, and conversely, a value exceeding one indicates that proportionately fewer men have basic literacy skills. Note that the value of the gender parity index may be affected by differences in the life expectancy between men and women, especially for the older age groups where women on average live longer than men. In such cases, one should derive literacy gender parity indices by age groups.

See Also

Adult Literacy Rate: 15+ and 15-24 years population and expenditure on adult and continuing education  programmes

Lead Agencies

UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, UNDP and  UNFPA.

Typical Availability Time Lag

Ten years

Internationally Agreed Methodology

Yes

Method of Collection

Not readily available. Can be computed on the basis of male and female literacy rates

Known Indicator Limitations

Since the literacy rates are available once in ten year, it is not possible to develop the index in intermediary years.

Indicator 4: Expenditure on Adult and Continuing Education to Total Expenditure on Education

Definition

Government expenditure for adult and continuing education expressed as a percentage of total government expenditure on education. This indicator shows the relative share of expenditure on adult and continuing education within overall government expenditure on education. This indicator should be based on consistent data on government expenditure for each level of education that cover public funding for both government and private educational institutions

Unit of Measurement

Percentage to total public expenditure on education

Discussion

A relatively high percentage of government expenditure devoted to adult and continuing education denotes the priority given to this sector in national educational policies and resource allocation. When interpreting this indicator, one should take into account the corresponding literacy rates for population aged 15+ and 15-24 years

See Also

Adult Literacy Rate: 15+ and 15-24 years population and literacy gender parity index

Lead Agencies

Typical Availability Time Lag

Annual

Internationally Agreed Methodology

Yes

Method of Collection

Collected by the Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India as a part of regular collection of annual statistics.  Within the Department, the Division of Planning, Monitoring and Statistics is entrusted this task which disseminates data through their annual publications that contain state-specific information.   The structured Data Capture Formats are used to collect information. Information is collected on school basis and all the recognised institutions are included in the collection. At present, the publication containing financial statistics is latest available for the years 1994-95 to 1996-97. This contains actual statistics for 1994-95, revised estimates for 1995-96 and budget estimates for 1996-97.

 Known Indicator Limitations

Time lag is the main limitation. Other major limitation is that the private expenditure on education is not covered. However, all the private institutions recognised by the Government are covered in the annual collection of statistics.

Indicator 5: Villages without Pre Primary Education Facility

Definition

Percentage of villages without pre primary education facility to total number of villages

Unit of Measurement

Percentage to total number of villages

Discussion

The percentage of villages without pre primary education facility indicates a state’s capacity to prepare young children for primary education and should be viewed in relation to gross enrolment in early childhood care education programmes (age 3-5 years). A high enrolment ratio indicates adequate capacity for this type of programme

See Also

GER for age group 3-5 years

Lead Agencies

UNICEF

Typical Availability Time Lag

Once in 5-7 years

Internationally Agreed Methodology

Yes

Method of Collection

The indicator is not readily available but can be developed from the information generated by the NCERT as a part of its All-India Educational Survey, Sixth survey being the latest one with September 30, 1993 as its date of reference.  The information is collected on habitation basis and all the habitations of the country are included.  Information on this indicator is inclusive of the private unrecognised institutions, which are otherwise, do not form part of the regular collection of statistics

Known Indicator Limitations

Since the NCERT survey is conducted once in 5-7 years, the indicator is not available on regular basis. There is no other source of this indicator.

Indicator 5a: Enrolment in Pre Primary Education Institutions (ECCE)

Definition

Enrolment in pre primary education institutions including government, private, and community programmes.

Unit of Measurement

Absolute Number 

Discussion

The enrolment in ECCE programmes should be viewed over time so that growth in enrolment be measured. The indicator should also be viewed in relation to gross enrolment ratio in early childhood care and education programmes (age 3-5 years). A high enrolment ratio indicates adequate capacity for this type of programme. A gross enrolment ratio approaching or surpassing 100 per cent also indicates that a state is, in principle, able to accommodate all children in the official age group concerned by ECCE.

See Also

GER for age group 3-5 years

Lead Agencies

UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, UNDP and  UNFPA.

Typical Availability Time Lag

Once in 5-7 years

Internationally Agreed Methodology

Yes

Method of Collection

The information that is available from the regular sources is not complete. However, it can be obtained from the information generated by the NCERT as a part of its All-India Educational Survey, Sixth survey being the latest one with September 30, 1993 as its date of reference.  The information is collected on habitation basis and all the habitations of the country are included.  Information on this indicator is inclusive of the private unrecognised institutions, which are otherwise, do not form part of the regular collection of information

Known Indicator Limitations

Since the NCERT survey is conducted once in 5-7 years, the indicator is not available on regular basis. There is no other source of this information that provides complete information. The regular collection of information under the Department of Education covers only the recognised pre primary institutions.

Indicator 6: Gross Enrolment Ratio for Age-group 3-5 Years

Definition

Total number of children enrolled in early childhood care and education programmes, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the population in the relevant official age group i.e. 3-5 years. This indicator measures the general level of participation of young children in early childhood care and education programmes. It also indicates a state’s capacity to prepare young children for primary education.

Unit of Measurement

Enrolment (Gross) in ECCE centres expressed as a percentage to the population in the age-group 3-5 years

Discussion

A high gross enrolment ratio in early childhood care and education programmes indicates adequate capacity for this type of programme within the country. A gross enrolment ratio approaching or surpassing 100 percent indicates that a state is, in principle, able to accommodate all children in the official age group concerned by ECCE.

See Also

Enrolment in pre primary educational institutions (ECCE)

Lead Agencies

UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, UNDP and  UNFPA.

Typical Availability Time Lag

Annual

Internationally Agreed Methodology

Yes

Method of Collection

Collected by the Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India as a part of regular collection of annual statistics.  Within the Department, the Division of Planning, Monitoring and Statistics is entrusted this task which disseminates data through their annual publications that contain state-specific information.   The structured Data Capture Formats are used to collect information.  The official statistics includes only the pre primary recognised institutions and hence the information is not complete.  The other governmental departments (women and child development ) also run a variety of early childhood centres (balwadi, anganwadi etc.) apart the private unrecognised schools/centres which may also be large in number.

Known Indicator Limitations

The indicator is not readily available.  In order to develop it, complete information on enrolment in ECCE centres is required which is not available on regular basis.  Apart from the enrolment, the indicator also needs projected population of age group 3-5 years, which is generally not available.  Population is available for the census year only, hence, the same needs to be projected in a year for which the enrolment is available.  A slight over/under estimation of population may change the GER dramatically.

Indicator 7: Primary Grade I Pupils having attended some form of organized Early Childhood Care Education Programmes

Definition

Number of new entrants to primary grade I who have attended some form of organised early childhood development programme equivalent to at least 200 hours, expressed as a percentage of total number of new entrants to primary grade I. This indicator helps to assess the proportion of new entrants to grade I who presumably have received some preparation for primary schooling through ECCE programmes. The percentage of new entrants to primary grade I who have attended some form of organised early childhood development programme cannot exceed 100 per cent.

Unit of Measurement

Percentage of new entrants to primary grade I who have attended some form of organised ECCE programmes

Discussion

A high percentage of new entrants to grade I of primary education who have attended some form of organised ECCE programme indicates that a large proportion of these children have participated in organised learning activities prior to entering primary school. Progress in schooling is often associated with cognitive abilities acquired at young ages. It is commonly recognised that prior participation in ECCE programmes can play an important role in a child's future education, because they shape attitudes toward learning and develop basic social skills, but the effect of ECCE activities on children’s cognitive development may vary according to the programme attended. However, this indicator may give an exaggerated picture of access to ECCE, since those children who have access to ECCE programmes are also more likely to have access to primary schools

See Also

GER for age group 3-5 years and enrolment in pre primary education institutions (ECCE)

Lead Agencies

UNESCO, UNICEF, World Bank, UNDP and  UNFPA.

Typical Availability Time Lag

Not available

Internationally Agreed Methodology

Yes

Method of Collection

The information is not available. The data could be gathered through a sample survey of schools or through household surveys

Known Indicator Limitations

In the absence of requisite data, it is not possible to construct indicator.