Selected Educational Statistics 1998-99. (As on 30th September, 1998)

Abstract

From Introduction: India is the home of 16% of World's total population accommodated in an area of 2.42% of the World's total area. As against 2820 languages in the entire world, as many as 325 languages are effectively used in India alone. After 8-10 Kms local dialects change in India. India spends 3.4% of its GNP on education and has 48% of its adult population as illiterates while China spends only 2.3%of its GNP and has only 18% of its adult population as illiterates. It is, therefore, not essential that those who spend more of GDP on education and training have highest literacy percentage. There are many other factors involved in it including the system of governance, management of educational facilities etc. Notwithstanding this, higher allocations on education are indicative of Government's determination of eradication of illiteracy and universalisation of education.