Education in Chattisgarh – An Introduction
Chattisgarh derives its name from the 36 pillars of the Chattisgarh in Devi Temple. It was formed from the state of Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000. It is a very rich mineral resource state and has a sizable share of the national steel, cement and power production. Due to its being newly formed it is undergoing rapid development and is witnessing substantial and large scale investment by industrial houses. The population of Chattisgarh is 25.5 million of which males comprise 50.23% and females comprise 49.76%. Chattisgarh has a literacy rate of 73% of which male literacy is 80.27% and female literacy is 59.58%. The sex ratio is much below the national average.
Primary Education in Chattisgarh
As per the ASER report data Chattisgarh is making rapid progress on the educational front which is highly commendable. The enrolment trends have shown a marked improvement and compares with other developed states, however the teacher student ration has declined as recruitment of teachers has not kept pace with the increasing trend of enrolment. Library, computers and other basic teaching aids and implements have also available but needs to be improved upon as per the findings of the report. The basic necessary infrastructure like playgrounds, boundary wall, toilets for boys and girls, drinking water are reasonably available, tough more numbers are required to make them adequate and bring it at par with the national levels. Mid day meals are served in the majority of the schools covered under the report which was 85.4% of the schools visited. No doubt that being a recently formed state the strides made in education is worth appreciation. The findings of the report indicates that the school enrolment is high in the age bracket of 6-14, but thereafter there is a drop in the enrolment as children acquire working age. Being a dominant tribal state, great strides have to be taken to bring it at par with the national educational standards. There are many Schools in Chattisgarh run by both the government as well as the private sector. Examinations are conducted by the Chattisgarh Board of Secondary Education, C.B.S.E. and I.C.S.E.
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Higher Education in Chattisgarh
Higher education in Chattisgarh is mainly located to a few major cities and is not widely dispersed; however the dispersal factor is being addressed by the opening of new intuitions as demand far outstrips supply. Chattisgarh has one central university, ten state universities and six private universities. One remarkable feature is making college education free for girls in the state. 208 government colleges in the state will offer free education to nearly 80,000 girls and the state would bear the expenses. The Directorate of Technical Education has included the courses of engineering, technology, management, architecture, computer science and pharmacy in its purview. At present there are 3 Government Engineering Colleges, 3 Autonomous Self – Financed Colleges and 26 Private Engineering Colleges in the state with a total student intake of 10,000 students both at the undergraduate and post graduate levels. There are 9 government colleges, 11 medical colleges and 7 management colleges in the state. There are 13 Government Polytechnics with a total intake of 2,385 students. Due to the rapid industrial expansion the state government has proposed to open one polytechnic in every district of the state.
Education in Chattisgarh - Future
Due to its recent formation the state has to initiate and implement great strides in the education sector. It has sufficient funding sources as it is major revenue earning state and is also the home to a lot many industries. The prospects of technical education in the state are very promising as it is an industry, forest and mineral rich state. It is for the policy makers to capitalise on the situation which is God gifted in its favour.