Context
Himachal Pradesh was officially declared "fully literate" under the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative, becoming the fifth state/UT in India to do so. While it doesn't imply 100% literacy, the state achieved a 99.3% literacy rate, surpassing the government’s threshold of 95% for full literacy.
This milestone is emblematic of India’s broader literacy goals under NEP 2020 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4), which aim to achieve universal literacy by 2030.
Factors Leading to Success:
· High baseline literacy: 82.8% as per the 2011 Census.
· Strong community participation and governance.
· Smaller population for easier outreach.
· Effective use of volunteers and tech-based learning platforms.
About ULLAS Program:
The programme was launched in 2022 with a target to achieve 100% literacy by 2030
Key Features:
- Focuses on adults aged 15 and above who missed out on formal education.
- Teaches basic reading, writing, numeracy, and life skills (e.g., using bank cheques, mobile payments, calendars, time).
- Delivered via mobile apps and community volunteers.
- Learners are tested via the FLNAT (Functional Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test).
- Certification by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
National Educational Framework Supporting Literacy:
India’s literacy goals are embedded within a larger ecosystem of school and adult education reforms. The following flagship initiatives are working in tandem:
|
Initiative |
Objective / Focus |
|
1. NEP 2020 |
Holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary education reform from pre-school to higher education. |
|
2. PM SHRI Schools |
Develop 14,500 NEP-aligned model schools for quality demonstration. |
|
3. NIPUN Bharat Mission |
Ensure Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) by Grade 3 by 2026–27. |
|
4. DIKSHA Portal |
National digital platform for teacher training and e-content. Supports NISHTHA and FLN modules. |
|
5. National Curriculum Framework (NCF) |
Promotes experiential and competency-based learning in line with NEP. |
|
6. PM e-Vidya |
Multi-modal access to digital education (TV, radio, online platforms). |
|
7. ULLAS |
Adult education program under Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. Focuses on lifelong learning and certification. |
These programs synergize formal schooling with adult education, aiming for inclusive, equitable, and lifelong access to learning.
Challenges to Universal Literacy
- Regional Disparities: States like Bihar, MP, and Andhra Pradesh still lag behind.
- Gender Divide: Female literacy remains lower, especially in rural areas.
- Digital Divide: Limited internet access hinders tech-based learning.
- Outdated Data: The last Census was in 2011, hampering real-time policy targeting.
- Dropout Rates: Migrant and working populations face difficulty completing training.
Conclusion
Himachal Pradesh joins an elite group of states and union territories that have achieved full literacy, including Goa, Mizoram, Ladakh and Tripura. This achievement sets a roadmap for other states to follow, demonstrating the impact of committed policies, grassroots campaigns and community participation in promoting education.
