West Bengal tops literacy, numeracy index; Mamata congratulates teachers

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has congratulated teachers, members of the education department, and parents after West Bengal topped in literacy, numeracy index.

West Bengal has topped the chart among large states in the ‘Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Index’ with an overall score of 58.9, much above the national average of 48.3. The index is an indicator of literacy among children in the pre-primary and primary levels. The index includes five pillars - basic health, educational infrastructure, access to education, learning outcomes and governance comprising 41 indicators.

After the state topped this index, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has congratulated teachers, members of the education department, and parents.

Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet, “Great news for West Bengal! We have secured the top rank among larger states on the 'Foundational Literacy & Numeracy Index’. I congratulate all teachers, guardians & members of our Education Department for this outstanding achievement!”

The report was released on Thursday and is commissioned by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (ESC-PM). It is prepared by the Institute for Competitiveness, by the chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister Bibek Debroy.

In this index, Bihar has performed the worst. Among small states, Kerala came on top, whereas Jharkhand was at the bottom. In Union territories, Lakshadweep topped the chart and Ladakh was at the bottom and in northeast states, Mizoram grabbed the top position and Arunachal Pradesh came at the bottom.

Bibek Debroy said, “Education leads to positive externalities and the quality of education imparted is important especially during the formative years. The present attainments in literacy and numeracy and the variations among states should be the focus for remedial action,” as reported by Hindustan Times.

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