Kerala seeks Central aid to salvage sagging literacy

Once a state that took pride in 100 per cent literacy, Kerala has been showing an upward trend in the number of illiterates for some time now, prompting the government to seek Central aid to launch another campaign aimed at making the state totally literate again. According to the 2011 census, there were around 18 lakh illiterates in the state.

Ever since the Central funding stopped, the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA) has found it hard to continue the literacy programme. The state government is not allotting sufficient funds for the mission either.

Though the state had increased its fund from `8 crore to `12 crore for the continuing education programme, only a small share of it is used for the literacy  programme.

The current literacy rate in Kerala is 93.91 per cent. Complete literacy could be attained only in a phased manner and it is not possible in the near future without more funds, KSLMA Director A Sasikumar said.

“Given the steep decline in the literacy rate, it was decided that we approach the Union Government for the funds. A detailed project report has been submitted and we expect a favourable decision in this Five-Year Plan,” he said.

Sasikumar said the Centre was yet to prepare the guidelines for the literacy drive. Even though mammoth literacy campaigns are impossible now, Sasikumar said, certain pockets where there are large number of illiterates can be identified for launching small-scale lieracy programmes.

According to Sasikumar, illiteracy is higher in tribal and coastal areas and places with a large population of linguistic minorities. Intensive training in these areas can help the state achieve a remarkable turnaround by attaining 97 per cent literacy.