Education

Western part of Rajasthan is an educationally backward area. Many schemes are underway in the name of Education for All. Several committees like Village Education Committee, School Management Committee, Parent Teacher Committee, etc., have been formed for proper management and monitoring of the schools. But most of these committees are not active. Even if they are little aware, they are unable to see these issues in totality.

This situation emanates from very scattered nature of human habitations in the area. Settlements are in scattered dhanis and lack means of transportation, adversely affecting lives of children and women. Because of lack of education, people are victim of superstitions and bad customs.

Moreover, the school teachers are not sensitive towards child education and gender and as a result not able to create appropriate environment for child education, particularly girl education.

The experience shows that the schools have failed to transform themselves into such centres as are able to provide qualitative or standard education in an interesting manner and fulfil needs of education. This reveals that education structure in the State is weak. The most serious problem is that the children are victim of gender and caste discrimination in the schools and are facing physical, mental and sexual violence.

According to Census 2001, literacy rate in Barmer, Jaisalmer and Jalore district is 59 per cent, 51 per cent and 46.5 per cent, respectively. Further break up is given in the table below:

TotalGeneralSCST
Barmer59.060.854.845.4
Jaisalmer51.052.249.236.7
Jalore46.550.340.225.7

Interventions in education sector are:

  • Strengthening of School Management and Development Committees
  • Organisation of village level education meetings
  • Ensuring enrolment and retention of children in schools
  • Improving quality of education in government schools
  • Strengthening of Parent Teachers Committees
  • Formation and meetings of Bal Panchayats
  • Educational tours of children