Dehradun: With the literacy rate crossing 98%, the Uttarakhand cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal declaring the state fully literate after meeting the threshold set under the Centre's 'ULLAS' -- Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society -- programme. After the cabinet's nod, the proposal will be moved to the Centre; and Uttarakhand will become the sixth state in the country to achieve the feat.
Other states to attain the fully literate status under the central govt scheme are Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Ladakh holds the distinction of being the first Union Territory (UT) fully certified under the scheme.
Under the programme, a state is considered fully literate once its adult education rate — covering individuals above 15 years of age — reaches 95% or more, alongside achieving the broader goal of providing education to all previously non-literate residents.
Chief Minister's Statement
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "Declaring Uttarakhand as a fully literate state in line with the National Education Policy is a matter of pride for all residents. This achievement is the result of collective efforts of the state's teachers, students, voluntary organisations, administrative officers and public representatives."
The CM added: "Considering education as the most powerful medium of development, our govt is committed to delivering quality education to every citizen. This achievement of full literacy is an important step towards realising the resolve of a developed Uttarakhand and a developed India."
Literacy Progress
Since the formation of Uttarakhand, there has been a significant increase in the literacy rate. According to the 2001 census, the state had a literacy rate of 71.6%, which rose to 78.8% in 2011 -- higher than the national average of 74%.
According to officials, besides the Uttarakhand education department, various corporates, social groups and locals have come together to spread literacy and education. In a planned manner, the state's education department focussed on women, areas in remote pockets, far flung hill areas, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Uttarakhand has over 16,400 govt schools and 11 state universities. Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University is the state's sole central university.
