Nilp: Increase in adult students in Tamil Nadu under NILP programme | Madurai News

Madurai: Primary education may have become more accessible in the past few decades, but a large number of adults in Tamil Nadu, especially women, still rely on fingerprints because they cannot read, write or sign their own names. It is the volunteers of the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), a central-state initiative, who help them acquire basic skills. However, the three-year-old programme struggles to retain these volunteers who get nothing in return for investing their time and effort in the mission. The NILP classes began in Madurai district on July 15 under the leadership of Chief Education Officer (CEO) K Karthika. The number of adult learners who registered for NILP increased from 16,984 last year to 27,181 in phase I this year alone. While the number of volunteers has also increased from 934 to 1,653, officials said they need more, especially in rural areas. NILP Madurai district coordinator I Jerald said they collect data from adult students through extensive surveys and identify them using thumb impressions as signatures. This is then uploaded to Educational Management Information System (EMIS) for monitoring. “This year, the intake has increased and NILP is being implemented in two phases to give an opportunity to more students. The target is for TN to achieve 100% literacy rate,” he added. “Now, anyone who is illiterate is forced to depend on others to get even basic work done and is vulnerable to cheating or blackmail. Getting a chance to learn to read and write without being shamed is of great value to me at my age,” said Panchavarnam, 65, a student and MGNREGA worker in Thirumalpuram. Volunteers are appointed for a maximum of 20 students in a particular area to teach. While anyone with basic education can volunteer, people are reluctant to sign up. “I have been a volunteer for NILP since it started. But it is disappointing that we do not even have an ID card for recognition,” said K Shanthi, a volunteer. Another volunteer, who did not want to be named, said that if the government can provide Rs1,000 to Illam Thedi Kalvi volunteers, an incentive can also be given to NILP volunteers. Officials are trying to motivate students to become volunteers. “Private sponsors are also welcome to support students and volunteers. Even sponsoring snacks or tea for classes can be encouraging,” an official said. Those who may need to avail NILP or want to become volunteers can contact their nearest government school.