NEW DELHI, 9 September 2007 — Expressing concern over the “unacceptably high” gap in the male-female literacy rate, President Pratibha Patil said yesterday: “Specific education programs, with targets, should be launched for education of girls.”
Addressing a function, marking the International Literacy Day, Patil pointed out: “India is home to the world’s largest number of illiterates and this is a matter of great concern. India accounts for 20 percent of the world’s out-of-school children and 35 percent adult illiterates.”
“When such a large number of the population remains outside the pale of literacy and education, it makes the task of development more complex and daunting,” she said.
“Women’s literacy and education has to be made a priority. If we make women literate, they will be self-reliant and the beneficial impact on society will be manifold,” Patil emphasized.
