Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Apr 24: With the announcement of PUC results and SSLC results eagerly awaited, adult education initiatives have quietly gained momentum in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district. More than 700 non-literate adults are now preparing to appear for a special literacy examination.
The aim of this programme is to bring literacy to those who missed out during earlier campaigns such as the Literacy Movement of 1990–92 and the Continuing Education Programme of 2000–01. Under the 2022–23 state government initiative to make 1,000 gram panchayats fully literate, this phase marks the third stage of implementation, focusing on conducting literacy assessments.
For every 20 non-literate learners, one instructor has been appointed. Along with learning materials, two textbooks titled Bailege Belaku and Savi Baraha have been provided. These instructors—appointed through the education department and gram panchayats—have already conducted 120 hours of training sessions for identified learners. The literacy exam will be held under the supervision of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), guided by principal Rajalakshmi.
To assist in the campaign, schoolteachers, panchayat facilitators, librarians, and volunteer educators have come forward to serve as instructors, receiving a modest honorarium.
The literacy examination will be held on April 27 across all taluks in the district, except Bantwal. A total of 75 exam centres have been identified in panchayat and school buildings for the convenience of learners.
Mangaluru North has 21 candidates, Mangaluru South has 52, Moodbidri has 19, Puttur has 237, Beltangady has 112, and Sullia has 256 candidates. In total, there are 717 learners.
District adult education officer Fatimabi stated that the initiative is being carried out under the guidance of zilla panchayat CEO Dr Anand, with the goal of declaring Dakshina Kannada a fully literate district.
“We have provided all necessary support for the learners identified in our survey. If there are others who were missed, they may register through local panchayats or libraries. We will ensure classes and exams are conducted for them as well,” she said.
The examination will assess reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. Beyond this, emphasis will be placed on awareness, active participation, development, and self-reliance. Successful candidates will be awarded certificates.
“Anyone still left out from our literacy survey may register through their gram panchayat or local library. We will arrange classes and exams for them in the next phase,” Fatimabi T I, senior lecturer and district adult education officer, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat, Mangaluru.