Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority to launch pilot project in Perumbavoor

If the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA) had misgivings about the potential success of its Malayalam literacy programme targeting migrants, then a trial classroom session held in Perumbavoor municipality has put paid to it.

As a prelude to the launch of the pilot project in Perumbavoor, scheduled for August, a session was organised for migrants at Vallam Kochangady Junction on June 30 with a draft textbook.

As many as 44 migrants, including mothers with toddlers, turned up for the session to learn Malayalam. Majority of participants were from Assam.

“The response was very positive, inspiring us to roll out the project across the State. The pilot project will be launched in Perumbavoor in August, and it will last eight months,” said KSLMA Director P.S. Sreekala.

She also inaugurated a workshop for unveiling the draft of the syllabus of the literacy programme on the occasion. Municipal chairperson Sathi Jayakrishnan presided.

Textbook ready

A sole textbook has been prepared for the programme, and it features 25 lessons based on real-life situations encountered by migrants.

The lessons cover health care, market, hotel, travel, and work.

The draft of the syllabus will be finalised in consultation with teachers within the municipal limits, socio-cultural activists, and those who interact constantly with migrants.

Experts involved

“The syllabus was drawn up based on multiple rounds of consultations with experts in the language of migrants and academicians.

“Shortcomings identified during the execution of the pilot project will be ironed out ahead of the Statewide rollout in Perumbavoor,” Ms. Sreekala said.

One centre will be assigned for the programme in each of the 27 wards in Perumbavoor municipality. Flexible class timings have been fixed after 6 p.m. and during weekends, so that migrants can turn up for sessions without disturbing their work.

Training in Hindi

The programme, which will be implemented as a mass campaign under the supervision of local self government institutions, will focus on training migrants in Hindi once the Malayalam portions are over.