Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Apr 20: Preparations are in full swing to officially declare Udupi as a ‘fully literate district’. This landmark achievement follows a year-long adult education campaign aimed at identifying and educating illiterate individuals across all gram panchayats in the district.
According to sources from the adult education office, Kaup, Karkala, Hebri, Brahmavar, and Byndoor taluks have already submitted declarations confirming total literacy. Udupi and Kundapur taluks are expected to follow suit shortly. Once these formalities are completed, the zilla panchayat will officially bestow the 'fully literate' title upon the district.
As per union government guidelines, any region achieving a literacy rate of 95% or higher is considered 'fully literate’, a benchmark equated to 100% literacy. Official processes are currently being finalised through the executive officers (EO) of the respective taluk panchayats. All 158 gram panchayats in the district have reportedly submitted data indicating near-total literacy.
This milestone is the result of concentrated efforts by the adult education office. Earlier, 1,246 illiterate adults were identified across the district and enrolled in a specialised four-month literacy programme. The curriculum focused on basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, with progress monitored through a final assessment.
Officials noted that the initiative primarily benefited senior citizens and adults who missed out on primary education during their youth. The programme successfully bridged the literacy gap at the village level, encouraging greater civic participation.
Speaking to the media, Udupi zilla panchayat adult education officer Yoganarasimha Swamy K M stated that two specially designed textbooks, ‘Baalige Belaku’ and ‘Savi Baraha’, were utilised for the course. He added that those in need of these educational services coordinated directly with their local gram panchayats. Just eight months ago, 45 out of the 158 gram panchayats in the district were yet to be declared fully literate, a gap that has now been successfully closed.