Question

How many tribal learners became literate as part of the Attappadi Tribal Literacy programme?

• A. 192
• B. 1,458
• C. 2,000
• D. 3,801

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 1,458

Attappadi Tribal Literacy Programme

• About the Programme

  • The Attappadi Tribal Literacy Programme was a significant initiative aimed at achieving complete literacy among the tribal communities residing in the Attappadi region of Palakkad district, Kerala.
  • It was implemented under the aegis of the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA), the nodal agency for literacy and continuing education programs in the state.
  • This program is part of KSLMA's broader initiative, often referred to as 'Aksharasagaram' (Sea of Letters), which specifically targets tribal populations across various districts of Kerala.

• Target and Achievement

  • The primary target group for this program comprised tribal individuals in the age group of 15 to 50 years who were identified as illiterates.
  • A notable achievement of this specific phase or segment of the program was the successful literacy attainment of 1,458 tribal learners. This figure underscores the program's effectiveness in reaching its goals within the community.
  • The learners were taught basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, empowering them with fundamental literacy.

• Context of Attappadi

  • Attappadi is a geographically challenging and socio-economically vulnerable tribal block in Kerala, predominantly inhabited by indigenous communities such as the Irular, Mudugar, and Kurumbar tribes.
  • Historically, tribal communities in Attappadi faced significant educational backwardness due to various socio-economic and geographical barriers.
  • Efforts like this program are crucial for integrating these communities into the mainstream development process and ensuring their access to fundamental rights like education.

• Significance in Kerala Model Development

  • The Attappadi Tribal Literacy Programme is a prime example of the Kerala Model of Development, which prioritizes human development indicators such as literacy, health, and social welfare, often through strong public intervention and social welfare programs.
  • Kerala consistently maintains a high literacy rate (over 96% as per recent surveys), the highest in India, and initiatives like this program are vital in extending this success to the last mile, especially to marginalized groups.
  • Such programs contribute to inclusive growth and social equity, which are core tenets of the state's development philosophy and are often highlighted in economic studies of Kerala.

• Related Initiatives by KSLMA

  • The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority is instrumental in maintaining Kerala's high literacy status and has launched several other successful programs.
  • Notable initiatives include 'Aksharalaksham' (a program aimed at achieving 100% literacy across the state), 'Sameeksha' (a functional literacy program focusing on dropouts), and various equivalence programs for school education (e.g., Class 4, 7, 10, 12 equivalent exams).
  • These initiatives collectively reinforce Kerala's commitment to achieving and sustaining total literacy across all sections of society, aligning with the state's human-centric development approach.