Question

Explain the following statement with reasons.

1990 was declared the International Year of Literacy.

Answer 1

1990 was declared as the ‘International Year of Literacy’. The State Government resolved to make Kerala a state with 100% literacy, in the international year of literacy. Accordingly, Kerala became the first state in India to become a state with 100% literacy.

The campaign of literacy in Kerala included training in reading, writing, mathematical skills, the importance of hygiene and cleanliness, vaccination of children, cooperative agriculture, and the importance of saving money. During the campaign for literacy, some additional problems were observed. Many senior citizens who participated in the campaign had eyesight-related problems, which were unattended before. Many of the unskilled labourers could not afford the medical eye examination and cost of spectacles. In order to help them, free medical camps for eye examination and distribution of spectacles were arranged. Then people could easily attend literacy classes. This is an example of a problem solved with the combined willpower of the government and people. The first district in Kerala to become completely literate was Ernakulum. An announcement to this effect was made on 4th February 1990.