PRAYAGRAJ: With an aim to improve the literacy rate of the state, the government has decided to make the population of 4.82 crore illiterate people of the state, aged 15 years and above, literate.
Through the active participation of the serving and retired teachers, shikshamitras, students, cadets of NCC and volunteers of NSS across the state, the state government is gearing up to teach this large population to read and write.
This mission will be undertaken across the state under the ‘Padhna Likhna Abhiyan’ or PLA scheme launched by the central government.
Although, the scheme was launched in 2020-21 itself, nothing substantial was done owing to the outbreak of the pandemic.
Now, with the Covid-19 situation under considerable control, the state basic education department has begun preparations to undertake this drive with renewed zeal.
As per the 2011 census, there are 4.82 crore illiterate persons in UP, aged 15 years and above.
Moradabad, Sitapur and Prayagraj have the lowest literacy rate among the 75 districts of the state.
Moradabad has around 14.55 lakh illiterate persons aged above 15 years, while Sitapur has a population of 12.74 lakh illiterate persons, and Prayagraj has 12.62 lakh illiterates.
“Under this mission, after identifying the illiterate persons, they will be taught to read and write with the help of volunteers and teachers,” said basic shiksha adhikari (BSA), Prayagraj, Sanjay Kumar Kushwaha.
He added that a list of illiterate people in the district, aged 15 years and above, was being compiled, and further steps would be taken in accordance with the state government orders.
For this mega mission, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has prepared a dedicated 120-hour course material which aims at transforming illiterates into literates.
The state government can even get its own course prepared from SCERT as per the guidelines issued by the central government.
A senior official of the basic education department informed that this would be done by forming small groups of eight to 10 illiterate persons in the targeted area, and teaching them the course in four months’ time.
In order to achieve eradication of illiteracy, this scheme of Adult Education (Padhna Likhna Abhiyan) will focus on the basic literacy component.
The programme will specially focus on women, people from SC/ST communities, minorities, other disadvantaged groups and aspirational districts.