State joins International Literacy Day observance
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 08 2013: Reminding parents that economic disparity excuse will be no longer be justifiable for their children not enrolled in educational institutions with the assertion that Government has been extending all possible assistance, Rural Development and panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa called upon all concerned, especially the parents, to contribute their mite in making the goal for cent percent literacy a reality.

Speaking as the chief guest at the International Literacy Day observance organised by State Literacy Mission Authority of Directorate of Adult Education as GM hall today, the Minister said in sync with the United Nations' aim - education for all - Government of Manipur has undertaken various measures to make the entire population literate.

Consequent to the 14th session of the UNESCO held on September 8, 1965 adopting to observe the day as International Literacy Day, Manipur too has joined the movement for educating every single citizen with the latest literacy programme being implemented extensively by the State Literacy mission Authority in remote corners of Thoubal, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong districts.

While the focus continues to be education of young children equal priority is being given to spread adult education throughout the state, said francis.

Conceding that a State policy to make the universal goal of cent percent literacy a reality and more viable is the need of the hour, he also highlighted that education is the only means to achieve all-round development in Manipur.

Further informing that under the Saakshar Bharat Mission of the union Government campaigns and surveys are being conducted to spread the message of universal education as well as identify areas that need more attention and policy concentration, the Minister opined that inspite of the findings yielding encouraging results more needs to be done to make the senior citizens literate.

Affirming that by the year 2017, Manipur is targeting cent percent education of the female member between 15 to 35 years of age, he asked the parents to shoulder the responsibility of educating their wards for a number of Government policies to assist the girl child become literate would be ineffective if parents do not enrol them in schools.

He also advised officials of department concerned to work a mechanism so that parents become chief contributor in attaining the goal of cent percent literacy.

In his brief comment at the occasion, Wakf Board chairman MLA Md Fazur Rahim cited thump impression signature by literacy-deprived individuals to drive home the point that education is a must to eliminate errors often associated with thump-impression signature.

As a part of the global observance, a spot essay writing competition was also held in addition to representatives of saakshar Bharat districts such as Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Thoubal staging cultural programmes.

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