While literacy rate among the population is on rise and registering significant increase, the number of graduates in Odisha is not rising as compared to the growth of literacy.
The latest report on graduates available with the State Government reveals that in Odisha, about only seven per cent of the population, aged 25 years and above, is having qualification of graduation and above.
The 2011 Census report reveals that literacy rate of 25 years old in the State has increased significantly from 53.8 per cent in 2001 to 63.6 per cent in 2011.
However, percentage of graduates has increased by only 1.8 percentage points between 2001 and 2011.
While graduates’ percentage was 5.1 per cent in 2001, it has gone up to 6.9 per cent in 2011, said sources.
Official sources said that the increment in percentage of graduates is higher in urban areas, as compared to the rural areas.
While rural areas recorded an increment of 1.2 percentage points, their urban counterpart recorded an increment of 2.8 percentage.
Among the genders, in terms of percentage as compared to females, males have recorded higher percentage in growth.
Among social groups, non SC and ST have the higher percentage of graduates of 9.8 per cent, followed by SC 2.6 per cent and ST 1.2 per cent.
Though both SC and ST have marked an increment in percentage of graduates, they are far behind their non SC and ST counterparts.
Among the districts, the percentage of graduates in Khorda is highest at 18.7 per cent, while Nabarangpur is lowest with 1.5 per cent.
Cuttack has 11.9 per cent of graduates, which is second highest in the State, followed by Baleswar and Sambalpur, which have 8.2 per cent each.
Malkangiri has 1.7 per cent of graduates among 25 years age group, while Nuapada has only 2.6 per cent. It is also noticed that, the districts with higher percentage of graduates have recorded the higher increment in percentage of graduates during 2001-2011.
Experts gathering information say that the districts, which are having higher number of higher educational institutions and more number of industries are having more number of graduates.
These factors are acting as “pull factor” for those willing to pursue higher education or in search of jobs. Similarly, literacy among the tribal youths, which was abysmally low in 2001, has registered growth in 2011 and it is noteworthy that growth was nearly 20 per cent, which is all time high.
literacy among tribal youths was 47.8 per cent in 2001, which went up to 67.1 per cent in 2011 having a big quantum jump.
Non ST and SC youths performed better in districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada and Jajpur.
Youth literacy among SC groups found to be higher as compared to other social groups in Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Kalahandi and Malkangiri, said sources.