- Sikkim, a tiny state nestled in the Himalayas, has been declared a fully literate state under the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative. The announcement was made in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu during the convocation ceremony of Sikkim University at Manan Kendra in Gangtok on Wednesday.
- This marks a historic educational milestone for Sikkim and is being celebrated with immense pride.
- Sikkim now joins the elite club of fully literate states, which includes Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh.
- It is the third state in the northeast and the fifth state in the country to achieve this feat. Mizoram was the first state in the country to achieve full literacy.
- The ULLAS initiative, launched by the Ministry of Education in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to promote adult education, functional literacy, and lifelong learning for individuals aged 15 years and above while fostering continuous learning and skill development.
- An official announcement from the state government said, “This remarkable recognition marks yet another major milestone for Sikkim and reflects the state’s unwavering commitment towards educational empowerment and inclusive development under the pragmatic and visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay).”
- Sikkim was on Wednesday declared a fully literate State under the ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, with an official literacy rate of 99.82 per cent, surpassing the Centre’s prescribed benchmark of 95 per cent.
- With this achievement, Sikkim has become the sixth State or Union Territory to attain full literacy status after Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, the state Education department said.
- Following the declaration, the State will now move towards the next phase of adult education under the ULLAS framework, focusing on digital literacy, vocational education, life skills and lifelong learning opportunities, the department added.