Question

Which of the following groups are NOT listed as main beneficiaries of KSLMA's programmes?

• A. Illiterates
• B. Neo-literates
• C. University students
• D. School drop-outs

Answer 1

Answer:

C. University students

Understanding the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA)

• The Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA) is an autonomous institution operating under the General Education Department of the Government of Kerala.
• It was established in 1998 with the primary objective of promoting literacy, continuing education, and equivalency education across the state.
• KSLMA plays a crucial role in maintaining Kerala's high literacy rates and contributing to the 'Kerala Model of Development'.

Core Beneficiaries of KSLMA Programmes

• KSLMA's programmes primarily target individuals who have missed out on formal schooling or need opportunities for lifelong learning.
• The main beneficiaries include:
  • Neo-literates: Individuals who have recently achieved basic literacy.
  • School Dropouts: Those who could not complete their primary, secondary, or higher secondary education.
  • Marginalized Sections: This includes Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), coastal communities, and other vulnerable groups.
  • Women: Special emphasis is often given to empowering women through education.
  • Migrant Labourers: KSLMA has specific programmes like 'Changathi' to teach Malayalam to migrant workers.
  • Prison Inmates: Education initiatives are also extended to those in correctional facilities.
  • Elderly: Programmes are designed to provide educational opportunities for senior citizens.
• The mission focuses on offering various levels of equivalency education (e.g., 4th, 7th, 10th, and 12th standard equivalents) to enable beneficiaries to re-enter the formal education stream or enhance their life skills.

Why University Students are NOT Main Beneficiaries

• University students, by definition, have already completed their higher secondary education and are pursuing tertiary education (degree, postgraduate, etc.).
• KSLMA's mandate is to uplift individuals who lack basic or continuing education, or those who need to achieve equivalency with formal schooling.
• Therefore, university students, being already part of the higher education system, are generally not the primary target group for KSLMA's fundamental literacy and equivalency programmes.

Key Facts for Competitive Exams

• Kerala was declared the first fully literate state in India in 1991, largely due to efforts under the Total Literacy Campaign.
• The 'Aksharalaksham' project, launched in 2018, is a significant initiative by KSLMA aimed at achieving complete literacy for citizens aged between 15 and 50 who are currently illiterate.
• KSLMA also conducts various vocational training and skill development programmes, often in collaboration with other departments, to enhance the employability of its beneficiaries.