JMS/ Alappuzha: Karthiyani Amma, a 96-year-old woman from Alappuzha district scored 98 percent marks in literacy programme test.
Amma scored 98 out of 100 marks in ‘Aksharalaksham’’ literacy programme test of Kerala State Literacy Mission. In the exam, her reading, writing and basic mathematical skills were tested, informed an official. She scored 38 out of 40 in writing, and full marks of 30 each in Mathematics and reading, the official said.
She was the oldest candidate to take the test under the programme, launched to eliminate illiteracy in the state that boasts of over 90 percent literacy, the highest in the country.
According to the different media reports, approximately 42, 933 people cleared the test this year, taking the state closer to its aim of 100 percent literacy. As per the 2011 census, the literacy rate of the state is 94 percent which was 90.86 percent in 2001.
On April 18, 1991, the state was declared fully literate, which means attaining 90 percent literacy, as per UNESCO norms.
Even though the state is the flag bearer of literacy in the country, around 18 lakh people remained illiterate, the 2011 Census revealed, prompting the state government to launch the ‘Aksharalaksham’ programme on January 26 this year.
Our motto is to eradicate illiteracy completely and achieve 100 percent literacy in the state by all means, said the official.
