Report on Literacy Levels Across Seven Rural Areas in Humla District
In a significant milestone, the seven rural municipalities of Humla district have been declared literate, despite a small yet notable minority of individuals remaining illiterate. According to the Education Development and Coordination Unit, Humla, 96.04% of the district's population is literate, with 3.96% remaining illiterate.
The rural municipalities of Tanjakot, Sarkegad, Adanchuli, Chankheli, Namkha, Simkot, and Kharpunath make up the district. The total population of these municipalities ranges from 3,841 in Tanjakot to 8,443 in Simkot. The literacy rates vary, with Tanjakot boasting a literacy rate of 98.28%, while Kharpunath has a literacy rate of 95.74%.
However, the data reveals pockets of low literacy within the district. For instance, Kharpunath Rural Municipality has 294 illiterate individuals, and Namkha Rural Municipality has 111 illiterate individuals. Similarly, in Simkot Rural Municipality, 371 individuals are illiterate, and in Chankheli Rural Municipality, 192 individuals are illiterate.
The persistence of illiteracy in certain areas can be attributed to several factors. Humla is a remote district with challenging geography and limited access to schools, contributing to lower literacy rates in some localities. National census reports and local data show that while districts may be declared literate, overall literacy rates can still be in the range of 70% or so, meaning a significant minority remains illiterate.
Social factors also play a role. For example, the female literacy rate in Nepal is reported at 69.4% nationally. In addition, poverty and traditional practices that restrict education are prevalent in Humla.
The national declaration of literacy for the district reflects aggregated data that masks internal disparities, and many individuals in rural municipalities within Humla continue to face barriers to becoming literate. These include limited school availability and quality in remote rural municipalities, geographic isolation and poor infrastructure, socio-economic factors limiting educational attainment, especially among women, and possible cultural or language barriers affecting some ethnic groups.
Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to address the issue. Unit Head Yogesh Ale Magar stated that out of the total population of 35,354 in the specified age group, 33,954 are literate. As the district continues to strive towards universal literacy, it is crucial to address these internal disparities and ensure that no individual is left behind in the quest for education.
It is crucial to acknowledge that while the seven rural municipalities of Humla district have been collectively recognized as literate, there remains a significant number of individuals in specific areas such as Kharpunath (294), Namkha (111), Simkot (371), and Chankheli (192) who are still illiterate. In the year 2081, addressing these internal disparities and ensuring universal education-and-self-development through learning remains of utmost importance for the district.
