Educational Attainment

The latest census results show a rise in literacy

By A CORRESSPONDENT

Despite relentless violence and disturbance, the education sector has witnessed major progress over the last decade. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), 39.75 percent of Nepal's population above the age of six years are unable to read or write, while 5.88 percent can only read. The data reveals that 54 percent of Nepalis are in a position to read and write.

In terms of educational attainment, the data shows that 41.88 percent of the population above the age of six years have completed the fifth grade, while 19.20 percent and 11.38 percent have passed the lower secondary and the secondary levels respectively. Interestingly, only 9 percent of the six-years-plus population have passed the School Leaving Certificate, while 2.68 percent completed graduation. Those completing post-graduation comprise a mere 0.73 percent.

At a time when a section of Nepalis are showing a bleak scenario in the utilization of foreign aid in various sectors, the CBS's news of the positive improvement in the literacy rates has come as a welcome relief. The increase in the size of the literate population is a catalyst for further changes in other sectors, including agriculture and family health.

When Nepal entered the modern age following the overthrow of the Rana regime in 1951, its literacy rate was below 1 percent.  The number of people with a university degree was about 300.

Had Nepal been able to drive its development programs in a peaceful manner, it would have made more gains in the education sector. With the upsurge of Maoist violence, the government has been compelled to suspend important programs. Despite the rise in the number of educated people, Nepal is yet to witness any significant reduction in the population growth rate. The country's population is still growing at an average rate of 2.24 percent a year. However, improvements in health indicators, including overall family health, will have a positive impact in the future.

Because of continuing violence, the CBS enumerators could not contact over 400,000 people living in 957 wards in 12 districts. The districts affected are Jhapa, Siraha, Sindhuli, Dolkha, Sindhupalchowk, Salyan, Surkhet, Dolpa, Jumla, Kalikot, Mugu and Bajura.

The head-counted population of the country was 22.74 million in June 2001. This is the official population of the country. The census also revealed that 0.46 percent of the population is disabled. Of them, 55 percent are women.

According to the CBS, the population without the estimation figures stands at 22.74 million. Nepal's population in the last decade grew at an average rate of 2.24 percent to touch 23.15 million in 2001 with females surpassing males by a little over 25,000. Interestingly, over 39 percent of the official population is below the age of 14 years.

In terms of concentration, 85.8 percent of the population resides in the rural areas. Likewise, 49.06 percent of Nepalis live in the terai region, while 6.97 percent and 43.97 percent reside in mountainous and hilly region respectively.

The demographic indicators also show that the Hindu population has declined in the last decade, which stands now 86.2 percent the of total population. There has been a rise in the number of Buddhists and Muslims.

Although the country has been passing through a very difficult time in its history, the economic and other indicators compiled by the CBS provide a good augury for the future.