Writeup AP 2011-12 - Punjab State Planning Board

EDUCATION
109. Education is the single most important input in promoting human resource
development. Adequate investment in human resource will result in economic development of
the state. The literacy rate of Punjab at 69.69% (as per 2001 census). Increased to 76.68% in
2011 showing decadal growth of 6.99%. It has an all India rank of 21 st on literacy scale among
all Indian states and UTs and 14 th among the states. The all India level literacy rate is 74.04%.
The male literacy rate of Punjab is 81.48%, which is almost same to all India level of 82.14%.
The female literacy rate is at 71.34% is much better as compared to all India level of 65.46%.
The dropout rate in the State in 2010-11 is 2.25% at primary level, 0.57% at upper primary
level and 10.60 % at secondary level.
110. The State is yet to achieve 100% universalization of elementary education for
all its children. The statistics of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of Punjab is given below:-
Punjab
Gross Enrolment Ratio 2010-11
Class Boys Girls Total
I-V 96.38 94.72 95.29
VI-VIII 81.60 74.03 78.74
IX-X 64.89 61.20 63.17
111. An outlay of Rs. 941.34 crore is provided in the Annual Plan 2011-12 against an
approved outlay of Rs. 598.43 crore in Annual Plan 2010-11, showing an increase of 57% .
The priority has been given to flagship programmes namely- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid
Day Meal. Besides, sufficient funds have been allocated for the important ongoing
programmes – Information and Communication Technology, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha
Abhiyan, Saakshar Bharat Mission-2012, construction of Shiksha Bhawan etc. Two important
new programmes have also been included which will help to improve the environment of
primary education by providing furniture to 11.92 lac primary students and providing free
utensils under Mid Day Meal Programme. Greater emphasis has also been given to higher
education. 17 new Post - Graduate Degree Colleges will be made functional from July, 2011
and the infrastructure of existing 55 Government Colleges will be strengthened.
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