Literacy Programme Launched for Inmates at Ambala Central Jail
The Education Department has initiated a literacy programme for non-literate inmates at the Central Jail in Ambala, enrolling 236 prisoners under the Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) – Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram. The department identified these inmates, registered them on the ULLAS portal, and selected 17 educated inmates as volunteer teachers to conduct literacy classes within the jail premises.
Part of District-Wide Campaign
This initiative is part of the department's district-wide campaign to identify non-literate persons aged 15 years and above, motivate them to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills, and enable them to take the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test, conducted twice annually in March and September.
District Education Officer (DEO) Sudhir Kalra stated: “Aiming to empower non-literate youth and adults (15+) with foundational literacy and numeracy, the Education Department in Ambala set a target to eradicate illiteracy and achieve total literacy in the district by the end of 2026. During the campaign, we contacted the Central Jail authorities and sought information about non-literate inmates. We learned about 236 inmates who are non-literate. To teach them, we identified 17 inmates willing to volunteer and teach the non-literate inmates.”
Phased Implementation and Support
Kalra added: “The programme has been launched today. The inmates have been provided with stationery through NGOs, and the volunteers have been given the ULLAS teaching manual and practice material by the department. We also interacted with the volunteer teachers, briefing them on teaching methodology and their responsibilities.”
The programme was implemented in phases. In the first phase, educated inmates were registered as volunteer teachers on the ULLAS portal. Subsequently, all 236 non-literate inmates were tagged with the volunteers, and regular teaching sessions have now commenced. “We are hopeful that all inmates will clear the exam in September. It will give them confidence and help in starting a new life once they complete their sentences,” Kalra said.
Broader Impact Across Ambala District
According to the DEO, around 33,300 non-literate persons have been registered on the ULLAS portal across Ambala district. Of these, nearly 27,000 have already qualified the literacy assessment, while the remaining are being encouraged to appear for the September examination.
