CHENNAI: "Without higher levels of literacy, empowering women will be a hollow and incomplete exercise," Anne Mary Fernandez, Registrar, University of Madras said here on Tuesday.

Addressing a seminar on `Sensitising media on promotion of female literacy,' organised by the State Resource Centre and the Department of Adult and Continuing Education of Madras University, the Registrar suggested that television channels should feature programmes on literacy during prime time.

"Working with neo-literates and follow up is very important to sustain literacy levels," Ms. Fernandez added.

Bhuvaneswari Chandrasekaran, deputy director of Doordharshan Kendra said that the channel was working with UNICEF and had produced several shows. "Most of our informative programmes are aired during prime time so that more women get to watch them," she added.

Director of the State Resource Centre R. Rajan made a presentation on the objectives and activities of the centre. "Retention of literacy, creating more scope for functional literacy, dissemination of information and creating awareness are the main objectives of the movement," he said. He said that the centre was continuing to work on developing material for learners and training functionaries. "Research is an ongoing process," he added.

Participants put forth several suggestions such as literacy campaign through hoardings at important junctions and giving class ten students who teach ten others the stream of their choice in plus two.

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