17 Main Causes of Low Adult Literacy Rate in India are described below:
1. The environment of the illiterate adults does not seem to convince them of the usefulness of present education in order to bring about immediate changes in the standard of living. They want immediate gains which adult literacy/education unfortunately fails to offer to them.
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2. The problem of earning is so acute that the adults do not have sufficient time or energy to come to the class for receiving instruction. They are too occupied with their own problems and find it extremely hard to get out of this cobweb.
3. The uneducated or illiterate adults often feel that it is too late to learn to read and write. They feel shy of learning at an advanced stage.
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4. Social customs and traditions put such demands upon the time of adults that they are unable to attend classes regularly.
5. The rural uneducated adults/illiterate adults in general are submerged in superstitions and ignorance.
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6. The adults are very often indifferent towards social education. They consider it as useless, sheer waste of money, time and energy.
7. Unfortunately there is a dearth of suitably trained, sincere and selfless workers in the field.
8. There is a great shortage of appropriate literature and equipment on the subject.
9. Government has been quite successful to arouse consciousness among the people. People’s participation is almost conspicuous by its absence.
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10. The funds earmarked for adult education are too inadequate, and whatever little has been set aside, it is not being utilised profitably.
11. The officers and workers lack the spirit of social service. Even its organisation is faulty.
12. There is lack of research in basic vocabulary and methodology for educating the adults.
13. The schemes are enforced from top to bottom, from the government to the people. They do not originate with the people.
14. Very little coordination exists among the different agencies engaged in adult literacy/ education work. Very often there is duplication of work at most of the places.
15. No follow-up work is being taken up by any organisation with the result that in its absence adults lapse into illiteracy again.
16. Caste system is proving a great hindrance. People need different centers for various castes. This is not possible.
17. Most of the centers exist in name only. They are not active.