Read the following statements - Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion: Educational opportunities in a nation accelerate the development process.
Reasoning: Education confers higher earning capacity, stimulates innovation and provides many other valued benefits.

From the given alternatives choose the correct one:

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

The correct answer is Option 1: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

Assertion: Educational opportunities in a nation accelerate the development process. This is correct. Education plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth, social progress, and overall development.

Reasoning: Education confers higher earning capacity, stimulates innovation and provides many other valued benefits. This is also correct. Higher earning capacity due to better job opportunities is a direct consequence of education. Education stimulates innovation by encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving skills. It provides individuals with valuable knowledge and skills that benefit society as a whole.

Therefore, both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) effectively explains the core reason behind the positive impact of educational opportunities on development.

"Education is sought not only as it confers higher earning capacity on people but also for its other highly valued benefits: it gives one a better social standing and pride; it enables one to make better choices in life; it provides knowledge to understand the changes taking place in society; it also stimulates innovations. Moreover, the availability of educated labour force facilitates adaptation of new technologies. That is why economists have stressed the need for expanding educational opportunities in a nation as it accelerates the development process."