Literacy Differentials in Tamil Nadu: A District Level Analysis

Education is considered as an investment in human capital and the mean to enhance productivity and employability. It improves the capability of individuals and results in empowerment of them. Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, identified literacy as a basic human right. The present paper made an attempt to examine the trends in literacy rates in Tamil Nadu and the disparities across districts in Tamil Nadu. The specific objectives were: to trace the trends in literacy rate in Tamil Nadu in comparison with all India; to examine the disparity in literacy rates among the districts in Tamil Nadu; to analyse the rural and urban differences in literacy rates in Tamil Nadu; and to understand the discrepancy in literacy rates among different age groups. Literacy rate and population statistics collected from Census 2001 and 2011 data were used for the study. The study observed that Tamil Nadu state is in a better position in terms of literacy rate and it has transformed the positive spill over effect of it towards the health sector also. But the single digit child illiteracy could be overcome not only by physical existence of schools but also by making schools functioning efficiently and accessible to all irrespective of their socio-economic status resulting in educational inclusion for all individuals in the state.