Himachal declared 'fully literate': what does this mean?

Key Highlights:

• Himachal Pradesh declared 'fully literate' state, fifth after Goa, Ladakh, Mizoram, and Tripura.
• 'Fully literate' defined as achieving 95% literacy in a State/UT, according to the Ministry of Education.
• ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) program aims for 100% literacy by 2030, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Functional Literacy Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) certifies learners who acquire foundational literacy and numeracy.

Detailed Insights:

• The Ministry of Education defines literacy as the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, including digital and financial literacy.
• The ULLAS program, launched in 2022, targets individuals over 15 who may not have attended school, providing training via mobile app or offline with community volunteers.
• Adult learners under ULLAS are taught basic reading, writing, math, time measurement, calendar usage, currency note handling, cheque writing, and digital transaction safety.
• States conduct surveys to identify individuals requiring training under ULLAS, administering the FLNAT, and certification is provided by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) upon passing.
• The 2011 Census measured literacy for individuals aged 7 and above who can read and write with understanding, with national literacy at 74%.
• Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24 showed a national literacy rate of 77.5%, estimating that 22.3% of people aged 15 and above were not literate.
• Various adult literacy schemes have been implemented since the 1950s, including the National Literacy Mission (1988-2009), National Adult Education Programme (1978), and Saakshar Bharat (2009-18).

Key Concepts Involved:

• Literacy: The ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension.
• ULLAS: A program aimed at achieving 100% literacy by 2030.
• FLNAT: A test to assess foundational literacy and numeracy skills.