Aim to achieve 100% literacy by next census: Union minister

New Delhi, February 6

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said that through the Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) scheme, the government aims to achieve the target of 100 per cent literacy rate by the next census.

Speaking during the inauguration of ‘ULLAS mela’, Pradhan said that while the country is witnessing digital literacy, 20 per cent of the population is not connected to formal institutional education. He added that through this scheme, the nation would make such people literate in their local language.

“In the 76 years of independence, literacy has gone up to almost 80 per cent from a meagre 20 per cent in 1947,” he said.

The objective of the ULLAS scheme is to impart critical life skills, including financial literacy, digital literacy, commercial skills, health care and awareness, child care and education and family welfare. The scheme will be implemented through volunteerism via online mode.

The scheme, in line with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, targets adults aged 15 and above, who could not go to school or attain formal education.