The Wayanad district is supposed to have the policies of the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA) more extensively implemented so as to make the tribal population residing within it to become literate. The state government has allotted a certain fund for the tribal literacy programme which was around Rs 50 lakh and it was exclusively for all the tribal people residing in the targeted villages and hamlets to have literate individuals which constitute the first phase of the programme.
“We are planning to extend the project to 200 more tribal settlements in the second phase after the successful implementation of the first phase of the project,” P. S. Sreekala, Director, KSLMA, said.
The Wayanad region was an important beneficiary along with the Pakkanad region which was targeted by the state government. The Ooru-based community which resides in these regions are being educated and trained by the people who are based off that community so that it is more convenient to educate them. This programme began in the year 2017 and around 400 new instructors were hired to complete the training of the people. A survey to identify the beneficiaries of the project would be held on September 23 and their classes would begin by the first week of October.
The most backward settlements of the Paniyas and Kattunayakkars were identified by local administrative bodies for the second phase and the list was finalised by the mission.
According to Kerala government’s website, the aim of the KSLMA is ‘to facilitate positive social change through literacy’. it also aims to equip learners and the community with essential knowledge, attitudes, values, and skills to enable them to improve quality of life as individuals as well as members of the community. Even though the idea of KSLMA can’t encompass the whole concept of education, but on how can an individual makes their quality of life better.