‘Gujarat scores low on educational development index’

Despite Chief Minister Narendra Modi singing paeans about his state’s development model,Gujarat has slipped from ninth position to 18th in a latest educational index even as Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have retained their ranks. According to the District Information System for Education (DISE) flash report prepared by National University of Education Planning and Administration (NEUPA),Gujarat has slipped from 12th to 28th position in the primary level and from 8th to 14th rank in the upper primary level.

The composite ranking,taking both the performances in primary and upper primary levels,puts the state at the 18th position in the country,below neighbouring Maharashtra,which retained the 8th rank,and Tamil Nadu,which remains at the third place.

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Though Gujarat fared well in various indicators,officials said other states matched equally well. During 2012-13,as many as 1.5 million schools imparting school education were covered for the study and data received from 662 districts spread over 35 states.

Kerala also slipped seven places from seven to 14 while Uttar Pradesh was ranked 34th,two places down from the previous ranking and West Bengal at 31,down two places. Delhi also slipped to 11th position from the 6th place recorded in the previous ranking.