The correct answer is: d) Lower than the national average.
Assam’s literacy rate is 73.1%, which is lower than the national average of 77.7%. This means that 26.9% of the population of Assam is illiterate, compared to 22.3% of the population of India.
There are a number of factors that contribute to Assam’s low literacy rate. One factor is the state’s high poverty rate. According to the 2011 census, 27.8% of the population of Assam lived below the poverty line. Poverty can make it difficult for people to afford education, and it can also lead to children dropping out of school to work.
Another factor that contributes to Assam’s low literacy rate is the state’s large tribal population. According to the 2011 census, 13.1% of the population of Assam belonged to a Scheduled Tribe. Scheduled Tribes are groups of people who are considered to be indigenous to India. They often have their own languages and cultures, and they may not have access to the same educational opportunities as other groups of people.
The government of Assam has taken a number of steps to improve the literacy rate in the state. In 2003, the government launched the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a national program to universalize elementary education. The SSA provides free education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14. The government has also set up a number of special schools for children from disadvantaged groups, such as tribal children and children with disabilities.
Despite these efforts, Assam’s literacy rate remains low. There are a number of challenges that the government needs to address in order to improve the literacy rate in the state. One challenge is the lack of qualified teachers. There are not enough teachers in Assam to meet the demand for education. This is a particular problem in rural areas, where there are often no schools or teachers available.
Another challenge is the lack of infrastructure. There are not enough schools in Assam, and the schools that do exist are often in poor condition. This makes it difficult for children to get a quality education.
The government of Assam needs to address these challenges in order to improve the literacy rate in the state. The government needs to recruit more teachers and build more schools. The government also needs to improve the quality of education in Assam. This can be done by providing training for teachers and by developing better curricula.