The Education Department in Ambala has initiated a literacy programme targeting non-literate inmates at Central Jail Ambala, marking a unique effort to promote education behind bars. Under the Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) – Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram, 236 inmates have been identified as non-literate and registered on the ULLAS portal. To facilitate learning, 17 educated inmates have been selected as volunteer teachers.
Programme Launch and Implementation
District Education Officer (DEO) Sudhir Kalra launched the programme on Wednesday at the jail premises. The department collaborated with jail authorities to identify non-literate inmates and motivate them to participate. Volunteers received the ULLAS teaching manual and practice material, along with stationery provided by NGOs. Kalra stated, “The programme has been launched today. The inmates have been provided with stationary through the NGOs and the volunteers have been provided with the ULLAS teaching manual and practice material by the department. We also interacted with the volunteer teachers, and briefed them on teaching methodology and their responsibilities.”
Phased Approach and Assessment
The initiative follows a phased model. In the first phase, educated inmates were registered as volunteer teachers on the ULLAS portal. Subsequently, all 236 non-literate prisoners were tagged with these volunteers, enabling regular teaching sessions. The goal is for inmates to clear the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), conducted twice a year in March and September. Kalra expressed optimism: “We are hopeful that all the inmates will clear the exam in September. It will give them confidence and help in starting a new life once they complete their sentences.”
District-Wide Literacy Efforts
According to the DEO, nearly 33,300 non-literate persons have been registered on the ULLAS portal across Ambala district, of whom around 27,000 have already qualified the literacy assessment. The remaining individuals are being encouraged to appear for the September examination. The FLNAT assesses learners in three subjects—Reading, Writing, and Numeracy—each worth 50 marks. Those who pass receive a mark sheet-cum-literacy certificate equivalent to Class 3 level.
Impact on Inmates and Society
Central Jail Ambala Jail Superintendent Satvinder Godara highlighted the transformative potential of the programme. He said the initiative was expected to bring about a positive change in the lives of inmates while strengthening the district's literacy mission. By equipping inmates with foundational literacy and numeracy skills, the programme aims to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into society after serving their sentences.
