MALAPPURAM: A lower primary school in the quaint village of Peruvallur in Kerala’s Malappuram district has gone the extra mile to satiate its quest to teach. Functionaries of the Olakara Government Lower Primary School’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA) has launched an exclusive literacy programme for migrant labourers in and around Peruvallur.
Having spent many years in Kerala, these workers can speak Malayalam. Now, the PTA and the public have come up with a project called Njangalum Vayikkum, which translates into “we will also read”, to enhance reading skills.
The response to the programme has been good with 30 labourers enrolled in the scheme. PTA president P P Saidu Mohammed said the literacy programme would help migrant workers not only to communicate better, but also to interact more effectively with the locals.
“The migrant workforce is fast becoming the backbone of several sectors in the state,” he pointed out.
The school authorities got support from Usman Koomanna, who helps migrant workers and teachers here communicate with others in a better way.
Through the camps, which are held during weekends at the school, the migrants are taught the basics of Malayalam.
Most of these 30 labourers hail from Odisha. Workers from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, too, are taking the classes.
Migrant workers from Olakara and Pukayur are ferried to the class in the school bus. Tea and snacks are provided to the ‘students’ during breaks. As for the migrants, it’s a whole new journey.