DoE to provide Rs 60,000 for literacy programme

PANJIM, JULY 24
The Directorate of Education will provide a total grant of Rs 60,000 in three installments to the agency implementing the Revised Scheme for Literacy and Vocational Training for Adults in a bid to boost the literacy rate of the State from 82 per cent (as per 2001 census) to 100 per cent. The first instalment of Rs 20,000 will be installed after the issue of sanction order from the directorate.
Government statistics reveal that most of the 18 per cent illiterate people are in the age bracket of 50 to 60 years. The scheme is will help these people to learn read, write, use numbers. It will also impart vocational training and skills in an effort to fulfil the aim of achieving 100 per cent literacy by 2011. The scheme aims to train people from the age of 20 and onwards. 
As per the scheme, the State Government will endeavour to set up vocational training centres and each of these will have an intake of 20 candidates. Each centre will operate four times a week for duration of one-and-half hours daily.
The training has been divided into literacy and vocational segments. In the literacy segment, learners will be taught topics on health, education, science, etc., and also writing skills. Besides this, they will witness motivation sessions.    
The vocational segment will see candidates learning production of artificial jewellery, chalk, candles, paper bags. They will also learn about glass painting, fabric painting, pot painting, mehendi designs, rangoli, rakhi, preparation of greeting cards, flower bouquets, flower pots, beauty parlour work over a period of six months.  
To motivate the candidates, financial incentives will be provided for those fulfilling 80 per cent attendance.