The latest analytical report on District Information School Education (DISE) released shows that Kerala is ranked No. 1 among the 21 major states (large in geographical area) in the latest composite Education Development Index (EDI) prep
ared for the primary and upper primary levels of schooling for 2006-07.
The EDI rank list is topped by Kerala (0.772), followed by Delhi (0.757), and Tamil Nadu (0.741).The report on the EDI was
prepared by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) based on the District Information
System for Education (DISE), a comprehensive database on elementary education in India, which is had created in recent years.
The EDI is a comprehensive index computed based on 23 indicators classified broadly under 4 categories – Access, Infrastructure, Teachers and Outcomes. On the differences in EDI,
the report says that no major difference is found in composite EDI in case of the first three states and also between fourth (Himachal Pradesh) and fifth ranked (Karnataka) states.
The indicators used in computing the EDI included access, infrastructure, teachers and outcome. In the broader sense,
23 indices were used like number of schools per 1000 child population, average student-classroom ratio, pupil-teacher ratio,
gross enrolment ratio and gender parity index.
Interestingly, Delhi is the only 'Top 5' state, which has improved its overall position in terms of infrastructure in
primary and upper primary schools ie schools have got drinking water, common toilets and girls' toilet facility.
The states are advised by NUEPA to analyse all the indicators used in EDI computation district-wise, and within a district, block-wise and follow it
up by adopting appropriate strategies.
