469 migrant labourers pass literacy test

KOCHI:In a big boost to the state government's efforts to integrate the migrant community into mainstream society, as many as 469 labourers who attended the six-month 'Changathi' course have cleared the Malayalam literacy examination.According to Kerala State Literacy Mission director P S Sreekala, as many as 604 migrant labourers had attended the programme. Among them, 503 candidates appeared for the exam held on May 13 and 469 cleared the test.

Aimed at making migrant labourers competent in reading and writing Malayalam, the government had launched the programme in Perumbavoor on August 15, 2017. Education Minister C Raveendranath had inaugurated the 'Pravesanotsavam'.The Lit eracy Mission had introduced a textbook called 'Hamari Malayalam' to teach the migrant labourers. The book had 25 chapters covering various topics such as health, hygiene, banking, human rights and ethical values.

A survey was conducted in the 27 wards of Perumbavoor to identify the beneficiaries. As many as 45 students from MES College Marampally and five social workers were selected as instructors to impart classes to the labourers."The classes were held at 10 factories, South Vallam madrassa and the municipality's cultural centre. Perumbavoor has the highest migrant labour concentration and our task was to integrate them into society. As instructors, we were able to win their confidence and started teaching them Malayalam. Most of them were keen to   Malayalam. Their main complaint was that Keralites were not willing to accept them," said Jancy, an instructor.

"The classes were held on Sundays till April 20. The course helped us create awareness among them on the need to maintain hygiene and the ways to communicate with locals. There was a p ositive change in their attitude and I am sure that this will help end the discrimination against migrant labourers," added Jancy.The literacy programme was launched with the support of Perumbavoor municipality.