Kerala becomes first State to achieve total digital literacy

Digital literacy class in progress in a house in pullamara Panchayat in Thiruvananthapural (file)

During the last months, C. Sarasu, 67, a Rural Employment Garnering worker from Mahatma Gandhi (MGNSGS) of pullampara in Thiruvananthapuram, has been using his free time videos. In Muvattupuzha, Krishnakumar, 75, who now uses WhatsApp to mobilize neighborhood people for an anti -drug campaign. Until recently, both were “digital illiterates”, for whom technology was a hard utility to break.

The two are now part of the 21 Lakh people who have completed the digital literacy program of the local self -government departments (LSG) ‘Digi Kerala’, which makes Kerala the first state to achieve total digital literacy. Talking with The HinduLSG Minister MB Rajash said the government is waiting for the confirmation of the president of India for an event to make the official announcement.

People of all ages

“We have achieved much beyond the guidelines stipulated by the National Mission of Digital Literacy for Digital Literacy, which requires that training be taught only for those up to 60 years. This program has been included people of all ages,” says Mr. Rajesh.

The idea of ​​Digi Kerala begged as a pilot initiative of the pullampara Grama Panchayat in the capital in 2022 to impart digital literacy to all residents. Students, most of whom they used digital equipment for the first time, were taught to make voice calls, as well as video calls with smartphones, use WhatsApp, access government services, carry out internet banking and use popular media forms.

Volunteer classes

Later, the Government decided to expand the program throughout the State. Through surveys in rooms throughout the state, 21.88 Lakh participants were identified as digitally illiterates. A great army of 2.57 LAKH volunteers, including members of the National Service Scheme, members of Kudumbashree, Kerala State Literacy Mission Preraks, members of the Library Council and youth organizations coordinated to organize classes for them in the homes, work sites of MGNSgs, libraries and neighboring groups of Kudumbashree.

Complete evaluation

“After the training program was completed, the students were evaluated to verify how they are equipped. Up to 98% of the participants approved the evaluation. The statistics department carried out the third party verification to ensure that the figures are precise.