Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Aid literacy schemes, local bodies told

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 8. The State Government would direct the local bodies to spend a component of the Plan funds for continuing education programme, the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, has said.

Inaugurating a function organised by the Kerala State Literacy Mission to celebrate the World Literacy Day here this evening, Mr. Chandy said that the allocation of funds should be complemented by the effort of the volunteers who have dedicated themselves to the cause of eradicating illiteracy.

If Kerala has achieved total literacy, it was due to the untiring efforts of the lakhs of committed workers. Education is the foundation of culture and all achievements in society and the endeavour should continue, he said. Continuing education programme is a great effort in sustaining the achievements of total literacy drive launched earlier. The target set by the mission to achieve total literacy among all those below the age of 60 years is a laudable attempt, he said.

Higher education

The State has made remarkable strides in the educational front, but has suffered setbacks in higher education. The standards of higher education and technical education leave much more to be desired. There should be a conscious effort in maintaining the standards of education, Mr. Chandy said. He also honoured the veteran educationist, S. Guptan Nair, at the function.

The Education Minister, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, in his presidential address, said that Kerala has every right to be proud of its achievements in conducting the continuing education programme. Idukki district won the national award for its accomplishment in the continuing education programme. This being the follow-up of the total literacy drive, it may take some time to achieve the target. The credit for the success goes to the literacy workers who had been doing a selfless service, he said.

The project committee chairman, Palode Ravi, read out the World Literacy Day message.

The district chairperson of the mission, Sasikala Sivasankar, welcomed the gathering and the district coordinator, K. Ayyappan Nair, proposed a vote of thanks.

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