Pune: Over 6.5 lakh individuals across Maharashtra took a step toward literacy by appearing for the ‘Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test’ on Sunday (March 27) as part of the centrally sponsored ULLAS–New Literacy Programme (2022-27). The initiative, conducted under the supervision of the Directorate of Education (Planning), aims to empower illiterate individuals with essential reading, writing, and numeracy skills.
Exam Conducted Across 53,271 Centers
The test was conducted at 53,271 centers across the state, with each registered school serving as an examination venue. According to officials, 8.04 lakh individuals had registered for the test, and 6.5 lakh appeared. The exam was held from 10 AM to 5 PM, covering reading, writing, and numeracy skills, with a total of 150 marks.
To cater to linguistic diversity, the test was conducted in nine languages: Marathi, Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, English, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Bengali. Candidates who qualify will receive an official certificate and mark sheet from the Central Government.
Warm Welcome for Candidates
In a heartwarming display of encouragement, many examination centers organized welcoming ceremonies for the candidates. Participants were greeted with books, roses, and motivational banners, recognizing their determination to become literate. Special arrangements were also made for individuals unable to travel to the exam centers, allowing them to take the test from home.
Impact on Social and Economic Empowerment
Authorities emphasized that this literacy initiative is not just about basic education but also about enhancing essential life skills. The program aims to develop financial literacy, legal awareness, digital literacy, disaster preparedness, health consciousness, childcare, and family welfare knowledge.