The correct answer is: c) Significantly lower than the national average.
The literacy rate in Bihar is 70.91%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 77.7%. This means that more than one in five people in Bihar are illiterate. The low literacy rate in Bihar is due to a number of factors, including poverty, lack of access to education, and gender inequality.
Poverty is a major obstacle to education in Bihar. Many families cannot afford to send their children to school, and those who do often have to drop out to work to support their families. Lack of access to education is another major problem. There are not enough schools in Bihar, and those that do exist are often overcrowded and poorly equipped. Gender inequality is also a factor in the low literacy rate in Bihar. Girls are often less likely to be enrolled in school than boys, and they are more likely to drop out.
The low literacy rate in Bihar has a number of negative consequences. It limits people’s opportunities for employment and advancement. It also contributes to poverty and social exclusion. The government of Bihar is taking steps to improve the literacy rate, but there is still a long way to go.