'Govt will work to eradicate female illiteracy in next 5 yrs'

New Delhi, June 4 (PTI) The United Progressive Alliance
(UPA) government will work on eradicating female illiteracy in
the next five years and would set up a national council to
bring in reforms in regulatory agencies in higher education.

"The National Literacy Mission will be recast as National
Mission for Female Literacy to make every female literate in
the next five years," Indian President Pratibha Patil said
addressing the joint sitting of Parliament.

Increased female literacy is expected to become a "force
multiplier" for all social development programmes, she said.
As per the 2001 census, the female literacy stands at 54 per
cent against 75 per cent of male literacy.

Patil said the Right to Free and Compulsory Education
Bill, pending in Parliament, is also under the active
consideration of the Manmohan Singh government.

"The focus would be on making quality education a right
through the enactment of the Bill," she said.

Within the 100 days in office, "the government will
institute a 'National Council for Higher Education' as
recommended by the Yash Pal Committee and the National
Knowledge Commission to bring in reforms of regulatory
institutions," the President said.

Besides, the government would also develop a "brain gain"
policy to attract faculty from across the world for the 14
"innovative universities" proposed in the Eleventh Plan, she
added.

The government also aims to provide skill development
training to about 50 crore people by 2022 to ensure that
Indian contributes significantly to the global workforce.

"Education which provides employable skills holds the key
for equal opportunities for OBCs (Other Backward Classes), SCs
(Schedule Caste)and STs (Schedule Tribe)and minorities," she
said.

The President lauded achievements of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan
(SSA) programme in providing access to elementary education.
The retention rate has increased in schools on account of
mid-day meal programme which covers nearly 15 crore children.

She also spoke about Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan programme
(MSS)that aims at achieving universal access to secondary
education.

On strengthening higher education, she said the
government's strategy for the sector would be formulated with
focus on expansion, inclusion and excellence and create a new
wave of investment in institutions of higher education.

In this regard, she said, the suggestion of the National
Knowledge Commission (NKC) will guide the formulation and
implementation of the strategy.

Patil said a wide range of scholarships and educational
loans have been introduced for the needy and deserving
students in the last five years. The government will review
the schemes and take steps to further strengthen them.

The government has been able to provide scholarships to
about a crore children every year. This apart, loans have been
disbursed to over 16 lakh students. PTI