Will Tripura Join the Ranks of Fully Literate States?

Agartala, June 22 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Saha, is set to officially announce that Tripura has achieved the status of a fully literate state on Monday. This milestone makes it the third state in India, following Mizoram and Goa, to reach this remarkable distinction, as stated by an official from the Education Department on Sunday. The event is anticipated to be attended by high-ranking officials from the Union Ministry of Education and other dignitaries, marking a significant moment in the state's educational progress.

After Mizoram and Goa, Tripura will proudly become the third Indian state to earn this prestigious title. The announcement on Monday is expected to be a testament to a transformative social achievement.

This commendable success can be attributed to the effective execution of the ‘ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) – New India Literacy Programme, as noted by the official.

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report for the financial year 2023–24 indicated that Tripura's literacy rate was at 93.7 percent. With the recent advancements made through the ‘ULLAS’ initiative, this figure has now increased to 95.6 percent. According to the criteria established by the Government of India, states or Union Territories that achieve over 95 percent literacy are awarded the designation of ‘Fully Literate’.

Tripura is poised to receive this esteemed recognition. The ULLAS program, in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, was initiated in 2022, aiming to ensure that every adult citizen in the country is literate by 2027.

With organized and committed efforts, Tripura has taken a leading role in this initiative.

Under the guidance of the School Education Department, the State Literacy Mission Authority, SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training), retired educators, students from various educational institutions, and trained personnel at all levels have collaborated tirelessly.

To facilitate the mission, committees were established at the state, district, and block levels.

As per the official, educational resources were developed in Bengali, English, and the tribal Kokborok languages; teachers and officials received specialized training; and students participated as volunteers.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of 2,228 volunteer teachers, 943 Social Awareness Centers, and the enthusiastic involvement of the Youth Literacy Corps, educational opportunities have reached even the most remote areas of Tripura. Some volunteers created classrooms in their own courtyards, while others taught literacy basics in hill markets.

The road to this achievement has been challenging.

In 1961, the state’s literacy rate was a mere 20.24 percent. Through persistent efforts, the literacy rate improved, reaching 87.22 percent in the 2011 census.

At that time, Tripura ranked as the third most literate state in India following Kerala and Mizoram. However, previous literacy programs primarily focused on basic signature skills.

The current administration has shifted its focus, prioritizing functional literacy.

The objective has evolved beyond basic literacy to include education in financial literacy, digital transactions, basic mathematics, and various practical skills through well-structured programs.

The official stated that the announcement on Monday will symbolize a historic milestone in the state’s educational journey. This success is the result of the hard work, compassion, and commitment of countless individuals.

This achievement will not only instill great pride in Tripura but also serve as a source of inspiration for other regions, the official concluded.