The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority’s efforts to reach out to the marginalised sections such as tribespeople, fishers, transgenders, those living in colonies, and others have led to record course registrations for the first time since the mission was set up in 1998.
Over 2.04 lakh people have registered with the mission in the new academic year for certificate courses from literacy to the higher secondary level.
As many as 49,566 people have registered for the literacy course, 40,260 for the Class 4 equivalency course, 24,393 for the class 7 equivalency course, 35,306 for the class 10 equivalency course, and 33,798 for the higher secondary course.
For Class 4 equivalency course, the registration was 8,715 last year. This has increased manifold this year. The number of registrations last year for the class 7 equivalency course was 8,915.
The class 10 equivalency course registrations have shown an increase from 33,520 last year to 35,306 this year. When the class 10 course began in 2006, the number of registrations was only 2,819. The higher secondary equivalency courses too have shown a similar increase. Last year, the number of registrations was 32,143. This increased to 33,798 this year. As many as 16,000 people are pursuing the second year of higher secondary.
There were 749 registrations for the certificate course Pacha Malayalam; 448 for Achhi Hindi; and 3,658 for Good English this year.
Mission Director P.S. Sreekala said extension of literacy activities to marginalised sections was the reason for increase in registrations. In a departure from the traditional activities, a number of novel schemes were kicked off in 2017.
With 1,755 instructors from marginalised sections such as tribal people, coastal residents, and those belonging to the scheduled communities, the literacy activities got a fillip, resulting in record registration.
Special action plans were launched to boost the programmes. Instructions were given to ensure all appeared for the examinations. An analysis of 10 years’ programme has found that half of those who had registered for the course did not sit for the examinations.
Awareness classes were held to remove examination fear. Services of school and college teachers, retired teachers and B.Ed. students were ensured for learners. Special classes were conducted for those who fared badly.
The government issued an order last year making higher secondary equivalency certificate equivalent to Plus Two, thus improving its prospects.