As many as 23,008 illiterate adults will take the Basic literacy Test to be held by the National literacy Mission Authority in Mungeli on Sunday.
According to sources, most of the candidates are women, and among them a sizable number never had stepped into a classroom. To ensure the record turnout, the district administration has been holding enrollment of the learners in villages.
The sources said that certificate has become a status symbol of sorts in villages, where most of the target group lives. People who score well in the test and secure the literacy certificate often frame it and put it up on their wall in the villages. It is an affirmation of their capability and potential.
Earlier, Mungeli chief executive officer Dr Fariha Alam Siddiqui conducted a meeting of officials at Saraswati Sishu Mandir here, in which she informed that Saakshar Bharat has introduced the literacy mission with an aim to raise literacy level and reduce the gender gap. With a target of imparting functional literacy with the prime focus on women the programme is implemented in rural areas with an adult female literacy rate of 50 per cent and below as per Census 2001.
She said, “It tests a new learner on abilities to read aloud and with understanding at a reasonable speed, taking dictation, reading and writing numbers and simple calculations. Those who score at least 40 per cent marks are graded B and those scoring more than 60 per cent receive the A-grade literacy certificate. People failing to score 40 per cent marks are graded C and have to take it again.”
With the announcement of the date of exam the district administration has pressed additional staff into the job to knock on doors asking people to come to take in the exam.
The Saakshar Bharat programme has done considerably well in Chhattisgarh primarily because of the adult education department taking the lead on a mission mode.
Siddiqui said that in September, the nation would observe International literacy Week. She appealed the people to join the mission in maximum numbers to make it a huge success. She said that those who qualify in the test would be given training in various fields to make them self dependent.
She also urged the villagers to construct toilet in their houses and spread the message of Cleanliness India Movement. Senior officials including project officer PK Harit, nodal officer Ravindra Tiwari and others were present in the meeting.