Uttarakhand becomes the sixth fully literate state in the country after Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim
Full literacy is not the destination, but a new beginning towards digital and financial literacy and life skills: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday participated in a programme organised at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office to mark Uttarakhand becoming a fully literate state. On the occasion, the Chief Minister honoured newly literate persons who successfully passed the examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling.
Congratulating all the people of Uttarakhand on the state becoming the sixth fully literate state in the country, the Chief Minister said the achievement was the result of the hard work and collective participation of teachers, students, newly literate persons, volunteers and everyone associated with the campaign.
He said achieving the goal of full literacy in Uttarakhand, with its challenging geographical conditions and remote areas, was a testimony to the strong determination and collective strength of the people of the state.
The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand had achieved the distinction of becoming a fully literate state under the National Education Policy-2020 and the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. After Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim, Uttarakhand has become the sixth fully literate state in the country.
He said the achievement would further strengthen the state’s resolve to emerge as a leading state in every field, including education.
Congratulating the newly literate persons, Dhami said they had proved that there is no age for learning and that it is never too late to move forward. Education not only gives confidence to an individual but also opens the doors to new opportunities in life.
He said literacy could no longer be limited to merely reading, writing or signing one’s name. In changing times, understanding one’s rights and duties, digital and financial literacy, and life-oriented skills are also important components of literacy.
The Chief Minister said continuous efforts were being made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make education inclusive and modern across the country. The Prime Minister’s resolve is to ensure that no person remains deprived of education. An educated person not only transforms their own life but also makes an important contribution to the progress of their family, society and nation.
Dhami said the state government was paying special attention to improving the quality of education as well as the overall development of students. Under the Nanda Gaura Yojana, eligible girl students are being provided financial incentives.
Virtual classrooms and a central studio are being established in 500 schools across the state so that students in remote areas can also access quality education. As many as 189 Atal Utkrisht Vidyalayas are being operated in Uttarakhand.
Through the Mukhyamantri Balashray Yojana, free education is being ensured for orphaned children. Work is also underway to develop modern laboratories in 100 schools each at the high school and intermediate levels.
The Chief Minister said the achievement of full literacy should not be viewed as a destination but as a new beginning. The state must now move towards ensuring that digital literacy, financial literacy, health awareness and life skills reach every citizen.
He said continuous efforts would be made to ensure that every citizen of the state keeps pace with changing technology and is able to use it to improve their quality of life.
Education Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat said Uttarakhand had achieved the important milestone of becoming a fully literate state under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He said around 25,000 volunteers had made an important contribution to the success of the campaign.
He added that the target has now been set to make the state 100 per cent literate within the next six months. Under the National Education Policy-2020, the national target is to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education to 50 per cent by 2035. Uttarakhand is moving rapidly towards achieving this target during the current year itself, he said.
Rawat said the state government was committed to ensuring access to education for every child. He added that a school would not be closed in any village where even a single child is enrolled.
MLA Savita Kapoor, Additional Secretary to the Government of India Archana Sharma Awasthi, Secretary Education Jyoti Yadav, Additional Secretary Namami Bansal and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.
