Kerala set to receive central funds for literacy under 'Padhna Likhna Abhiyaan'

Thiruvananthapuram, November 06: Under the Union Government's literacy drive - Padhna Likhna Abhiyaan, the Kerala education system is going to receive central grants for the first time after 10 years. Under the drive, Kerala will receive nearly Rs 2.84 crores from the Centre while the state government is slated to contribute Rs 1.90 crores.

 

 

 

The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA), on Friday, stated that it is a significant step after achieving 100 percent literacy. Under the grant, women, scheduled caste and tribals would get priority. After 2009, the union government had not granted any funds to Kerala for informal education.

 

"Kerala is also now part of the union government's new literacy drive "Padhna Likhna Abhiyan". The Union Ministry of Human Resources has issued minutes in this regard. Of the total Rs 4.74 crore-worth project, the Centre will provide Rs 2.84 crore while the state government Rs 1.90 crore," P S Sreekala, KSLMA director, said.

 

The Padhna Likhna Abhiyaan, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Literacy Day this year, focuses on achieving 100% literacy by 2030. The scheme will be merged with the existing schemes of the government. Under this scheme, massive literacy projects will be launched in the tribal and forest areas, prisons, slums, etc. with technology as a facilitator.

 

As per the 2011 census, there were 6,12,624 illiterates in these districts and 4,27,166 of them were women. Around 1,15,000 illiterates, belonging to educationally backward districts like Wayanad, Idukki, Palakkad, and Malappuram, would be made literate in the first phase of the drive, KSLMA said.