Learning to read, write, and between the lines, rediscover their self-worth | Chennai News

There are more than 30,000 learning centres in Tamil Nadu with more than 5 lakh learners

S Sundar never thought there would come a day when he would be able to write his own name. Born and raised in Thirumalpuram, a village in Madurai, Sundar had never set foot in a classroom. “I spent my life as a daily wager making ends meet to get my children educated. I never had a chance to go to school.”
The 68-year-old says his world changed when enrolled in the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). “I cannot describe the sense of accomplishment I felt when I wrote my name for the first time.”
With more than 30,000 learning centres under the NILP across Tamil Nadu, more than 5 lakh people, most of them above the age of 40, have got a chance to take their first step to literacy and life skills.

Among the learners is A Alagammal of Veerapandi in Madurai, who was forced to drop out of school in Class II because girls were not encouraged to study. “I could not read or write and my family did not see the need for me to go to school,” says the 52-year-old MGNREGA worker. “My children would ask me to sign my name but I could not do that. I couldn’t even read the numbers on a mobile phone for making calls.”
Now, more confident than ever, Alagammal shows off how she can read SMSes and read bus numbers. “I don’t need to ask people to help me.”

Under the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Non-Formal and Adult Education, a statewide comprehensive survey was first done in habitations to identify those unable to read or write, including using data of those making use of thumbprints for signatures to avail services/benefits, and their details were updated on EMIS. This year, NILP was implemented in two phases, from July to Nov, and Nov to March, to cover a larger number of learners.
Apart from basic reading and writing, under NILP, adult learners are taught to be self-reliant such as being able to go to a bank and fill forms on their own. They are also trained on important life skills such as basic mobile phone usage, including making calls and accessing OTPs. Each learner is provided with a textbook that covers literacy, numeracy, life skills and govt schemes.

But many adults, especially in rural areas, are hesitant to learn to read and write, making it challenging for officials and volunteers. “Many are embarrassed that they do not know how to read and write. Some don’t want to spend time after work in learning,” says K Kanimozhi, an NILP volunteer at Silvarpatti in Theni district, since 2023. “But once they start learning, they understand the benefits. You can almost feel their joy at being able to read.”
NILP relies entirely on volunteers such as Kanimozhi, each managing 20 learners from their locality, with classes scheduled to suit learners. With volunteers going out of their way to help the learner, many among them feel incentives can be given, monetary or otherwise, to keep them motivated.

At the NILP centre at Panchayat Union Primary School at Idayapatti in Madurai, a rally brought together adult learners, volunteers and schoolchildren to encourage and attract more participants to the programme.
Among the success stories is 49-year-old Muthammal, whose husband, K Narayanan, beams with pride over her newfound skills. “We have three children who are all well-settled, but my wife was the only one in the family who missed out on schooling as a child,” he says. “She can now sign her name, jot things down, and even handle calculations for our shop. She’s become my biggest support.”
About NILP

Many uneducated single parents enroll in NILP to help their children with their studies, says an official from Coimbatore district.
“Guest workers are also keen on speaking, reading and writing Tamil.” Joli Mabel, originally from Thiruvananthapuram and now settled at Kollenkodi in Kanyakumari district, who has been attending evening classes for the past year, says, “My Tamil has improved and I know that will help me in my work,” she says.

On Nov 10, more than 5 lakh candidates statewide participated in a basic literacy assessment. “The tables had turned in my house. Instead of me encouraging my children to study, they help me study. Maybe the govt can support us further by helping get jobs for those who pass,” says G Kalavathi, a 50-year-old from Madurai.
“Our aim is to achieve 100% literacy. We see more and more people come forward,” says S Nagaraja Murugan, director of Non-Formal and Adult Education. He adds that a survey is underway to identify learners for the second batch. “Public are also urged to reach out to their nearest govt school for details on NILP if they know anyone who is illiterate or wants to become volunteers.”