NEW DELHI, Jan. 19: Kerala has lost the number one position to Puducherry in this year’s educational development index (EDI) for primary education..

As per the index for 2007-08 prepared by the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), Kerala is now at the second position. Lakshadweep, Delhi and Tamil Nadu follow it respectively.
On the lower end, Bihar is ranked 35th and is followed by Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Assam. The EDI is based on a set of 23 indicators that include access, infrastructure, teachers and outcome indicators.
However, at the upper primary level (VI to VIII) Kerala with an EDI value of 0.842 is ranked first followed by Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Chandigarh and Delhi.

The data indicates increase in percentage of girls enrolment in primary and upper primary classes. It has increased to 48.22 and 46.99 per cent in 2007-08 from 48.09 and 46.51 in 2006-07 respectively.
Percentage of scheduled caste enrolment in elementary classes is 19.83 per cent compared to 10.95 scheduled tribe and 42.22 other backward classes enrolment.

Percentage of Muslim enrolment in primary classes increased to 10.49 in 2007-08 from 9.39 in 2006-07. Corresponding figures in upper primary enrolment is 8.54 and 7.52 per cent. Enrolment in primary classes increased to 134 million in 2007-08 from 132 million in 2006-07.

The NUEPA report shows that about 27.61 per cent of children at elementary level get enrolled in private schools that include government-aided and unaided. Schools managed by government still have enrolment of 72.33 per cent. In states like Kerala, 64.77 per cent children go to private schools and 65 per cent go to private schools in Goa. The percentage of such students is lowest at 1.77 per cent, in Bihar.