Page 237 - SST Class 08

percent in 2011. Let us now look at some of the
measures introduced by the government to
promote literacy.

1. The National Literacy Mission was launched
in 1988.
2. The National Policy on Education focuses
on the specific needs of the schedule castes,
schedule tribes and educationally backward
minorities.
3. Primary Schools : Due to the efforts of the
Airport and Aeroplane
central and state governments, 94 percent
A nation can develop economically only if the of the country’s population have access to
benefits of economic growth percolate down to education because of availability of primary
the masses. This is where social infrastructure schools in every 1 km radius. Not surpris-
comes in.
ingly, India’s elementary education rate
Social infrastructure refers to the measures taken ranks second largest in the world.
by the government to build a society in which all
its citizens are provided with facilities for educa-
tion, healthcare, community development,
income distribution, employment, social welfare,
etc.
The Indian government has played important
role in providing social infrastructure to the
people. The objectives of social planning are
given by the constitution under Directive
Principles of State Policy. Unfortunately, due to
our high population growth, the infrastructure Primary Schools
provided by the government invariably falls short
4. Adult education centers were set up along
of the demand. Nevertheless, the government
with non-formal educational centers where
has made a major contribution in social welfare.
women’s enrolment was given extra consid-
LITERACY eration.
Education forms the backbone of social and The introduction of 10+2 system has
economic development. India’s commitment to created some degree of uniformity in
the spread of education is reflected in the consti- education. The ‘each one teach one’ cam-
tution. Free and compulsory education is pro- paign has achieved great success in many
vided by the government up to the age of states. Higher education, university educa-
14 years. In some states, free education is pro- tion and professional training institutions
vided till class twelve. have also attained impressive records.
In 1951, India’s literacy rate was as abysmally HEALTHCARE
low as 18.33 percent. Due to the government’s
The central government effort towards promoting
literacy drive the literacy rate rose to 74.04
healthcare is administered by the Ministry of

Social Science-8 237