PM scores only 50% on education

NEW DELHI:  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh 'still needs to work to his full potential' in achieving the education goals as two out of five people in India are still illiterate, says the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) Report.

Singh was ranked 61st and received 50 out of 100 with an overall grade of C in India's report card in the Campaign Report which was released in Dakar, Senegal, on Wednesday.

"Access to primary education has improved considerably in India but (school) dropout rates remain very high. While adult literacy rates have improved, nearly 40 per cent of India's adult population remains illiterate," the report, which rates 178 country heads, said.

Giving 'high marks' for introducing an innovative education cess, a release from GCE said the Prime Minister needs to pay attention that the money is used for its intended purpose.

Every head of state is graded, ranked and given 'teachers comments' on their education commitments on indicators including 'growth in school enrolments', 'political will' and 'transparency'.

Singh received a C+ grade and 87th position for achievement of 'Universal Basic Education', 33rd position and C+ for his 'political will', 25th position and B- for 'growth in enrolments', 90th position and D+ for 'quality inputs', 60th position and C+ for 'providing equal opportunities', 39th position and D+ for 'transparency and accountability'.

The report has been launched to make the 'halfway point' - between 2000 and 2015 - to meet the Education For All targets as signed up by 164 heads of state in 2000.