Buoyed by the success of its model Malayalam literacy project for migrant workers in Perumbavoor municipality in Ernakulam, the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority is all set to expand the novel project christened ‘Changathy’ to the remaining 13 districts of the State.
One local body in each district has been identified for the introduction of the project and classes in all 13 selected local bodies will get under way in April.
A survey held as a prelude to the launch of the project has identified 7,013 potential participants across the districts, out of which 6,475 are men and 538 are women.
The most number of 1,711 participants have been identified in Puthussery grama panchayat in Palakkad district, followed by 867 participants in Perinthalmanna municipality in Malappuram, 777 in Chirakkal grama panchayat in Kannur, 620 in Payippad grama panchayat in Kottayam, 441 in Karikkunnam grama panchayat in Idukki, 404 in Koyippuram grama panchayat in Pathanamthitta, 394 in Chavakkad municipality in Thrissur, 368 in Kazhakkoottam ward of Thiruvananthapuram, 317 in Perinad grama panchayat in Kollam district, 316 in Narikuni grama panchayat in Kozhikode, 312 in Manjeswaram grama panchayat in Kasargod, 275 in Mannancherry grama panchayat in Alapuzha, and 211 participants in Mooppainad grama panchayat in Wayanad district.
“The training for master trainers will be held in Perumbavoor municipality on January 21. They will, in turn, train the instructors to be identified for classes in each district. Wherever possible college students residing within the limits of the local body where classes are held will be roped in as instructors,” KSLMA Director P.S. Sreekala told The Hindu .
The project aims at making migrants literate in Malayalam in four months by holding classes at least five hours a week.
Study centres
Five to ten study centres of 15 to 20 participants will be organised under KSLMA’s Continuing Education Centres.
Each study centre will be put under the charge of an instructor proficient in Malayalam and Hindi. Qualified persons among the migrants will also be used for the purpose. Participants of KSLMA’s higher secondary equivalent courses will also chip in with their service. CECs, libraries, schools, public places, work sites, and shelters of migrant workers will serve as study centres.
