Alphabétisation totale : le « modèle » éducatif du Kérala

• Main Author: Anne Buisson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille 2005-09-01
• Series: Espace populations sociétés
• Subjects: education; geography; Kerala; literacy; disparity
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/eps/2836

Kerala is a small State in the South of India, well known for its achievements in social development. In 1991, Kerala is the first Indian State declared “totally literate” (with a literacy rate around 89,9%). What reality is behind this global indicators obviously acceptable?A first answer follows from historical evolution of educational process in Kerala. An early enrolment developed by missionaries to expand Christianity and a governmental interest emerged in 19th century explain largely educational accomplishment of this State. But Keralese emancipation has to be studied more precisely: this model of total literacy has to be reconsidered, according to persisting regional disparities. Spatial patterns of literacy show marginal areas.Examining spatial progression of education on Keralese territory can point up the different actors responsible of educational success. Localizing educational opportunities matters for optimum literacy and a geographical approach is needed.