In terms of School-level education and children-care, West Bengal Schools lead the entire nation by being in the front row, in the recently declared UNICEF report. The ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan’ and other national schemes have left the admission rate of school students almost at 100% in the state. Another terrific achievement has been the great decline in the school dropout rate in the state. The schemes such as ‘Kanyashree’, has not only made it easier for girls to study and pursue their higher studies, but has also reduced underage & child marriages in the nation. The report was published on Tuesday by Health, Children and Women’s welfare minister, Shashi Panja.
When enquired about the great turnaround for the state, the Head of UNICEF’s West Bengal Chapter, Mr. Asadur Rahman was quoted praising the fact that how the present scenario has changed in favor of the girl students. Not only are more and more of them getting admitted, but the attendance in schools has been remarkable, and so is true for the Madrasas as well. This feat is in strike contrast with how things were even a few years ago when minority community girls dared not venture out of their homes, which is evident from the census report of 2001 which stated that the literacy rate among Muslim women in the country is a mere 50%.
Minister Shashi Panja pin-pointed a few reasons for this positive change where he included both state and central government run schemes such as ‘Kanyashree’, Shoes and bicycle being provided to the school-going students as well as self-employment schemes have increased not only the awareness among women about their self, but has given them confidence and made them more inclined towards proper health maintenance. He also pointed out that students from Bihar often come to Bengal and stay 6 months here because most of the facilities provided here are not available there. Thereby, this is a positive sign for not only the state but also the country.
Source: http://goo.gl/ecQ8f1
