Bihar Education Project (Muzaffarpur)

Abstract

The Bihar Education Project was launched with the ultimate objective of universalisation of Education For all children up to age 14. The specific target groups for the purpose were SC / ST and Women, thus focusing on equity and empowerment of weaker sections of society. Teachers have been brought on to the centre stage for improvement of their status and competence. All this is notwithstanding improvement in the quality of education. The BEP was started in Muzaffarpur district in April 1992. The district has a very low literacy rate which is at its lowest among females (18.62%) and Scheduled Castes (2%). Total population of the district is 29,46,571 (1991 census). Of this total population, 8.54 per cent are below the poverty line. Gender ratio is 906 females to 1000 males. Rural population is 91.83 per cent of the total population of the district. Scheduled Castes comprise 15.23 per cent of the population and Scheduled Tribes 0.04 per cent.