Muslims way behind SC/STs in terms of higher education, says NSSO survey

By Sabiha, (NDChronicle.com)

National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) has come up with a startling finding. The latest survey says that Muslims are way behind even SCs and STs when it comes to higher education.

Earlier it was thought that though Muslims are backward in terms of education, but certainly not behind SCs and STs.

Indian Government has made certain laws regarding education. Education has been made free and compulsory up to the age of fourteen years. Government has emphasized more on primary education and even banned child labor. Programmes like, Sarva Shiksha Abhyan, universalization of education have been started to provide quality education.

Besides all these programmes and facilities government has failed to improve the literacy rate, especially among Muslims. According to the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) report, “the ratio of Muslims enrolled in a formal education system to those pursuing higher education in India is lowest among all communities, including Scheduled Tribes (STs).”

Muslim community is considered to be the most backward in pursuing education. It is found that literacy rate among Christians is higher than other communities.

Lack of education is the main cause of backwardness among Muslims. Due to poverty and unemployment they are not be able to provide better education to their children.    

Dr Tahir Mahmood, a member of Ranganath Mishra Commission says “Poverty is a reason for the few Muslims to drop out of schools. Many Muslim families consider sending a child to work better than getting him or her educated. Without government intervention, modern education won’t improve their condition.”