Ladakh achieves full functional literacy under New India Literacy Programme

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, BD Mishra on Monday declared Ladakh as the administrative unit to achieve full functional literacy under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram after having achieved more than 97% literacy, the ministry of education said. During a celebration at Sindhu Sanskritik Kendra (SSK), Leh, Mishra said that the achievement reflects “Ladakh’s commitment to empowering its citizens through foundational literacy and numeracy, and critical life skills for all”.

Neo-literates and volunteer teachers were felicitated during the event. The Annual Achievement Report 2023 of the school department was also launched.

ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP) is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027. The scheme was launched to empower those aged 15 years and above from all backgrounds who could not get due schooling. It broadly consists of five components - foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills, and continuing education.

BD Mishra encourages students to create jobs

Lauding the introduction of National Education Policy (NEP 2020), Mishra encouraged “new learners and volunteers to continue on the path of learning throughout their life” and also exhorted the students to not only look for jobs but also think of creating jobs.

The declaration was made in the presence of Sanjay Kumar, secretary of the department of school education and literacy, ministry of education; Archana Sharma Awasthi, joint secretary; Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, chairman, LAHDC, Kargil; Sanjeev Khirwar, principal secretary, school education, Ladakh; and more than 500 new literates and volunteers.

Addressing the event, Sanjay Kumar congratulated the people of Ladakh on this momentous achievement and assured that the ministry of education will extend all possible support to improve the school education system of Ladakh.

He also highlighted that “the entire ULLAS model is based on volunteerism in which volunteers register through the ULLAS Mobile App without any expectation of reward and simply teach the non-literates, which is the true beauty of this program,” the ministry said.