Around 2050 candidates appeared for the Aksharashree literacy exam which was conducted by the Kerala State Literacy Mission in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

The literacy examination was held as the second edition of Aksharasree project, an initiative of Kerala State Literacy Mission (KSLM) Authority, as a project targeting 100 per cent literacy for the state capital, in association with the city corporation.

Out of the total number of candidates, five were above the age of 80.

A few mother-daughter duos also reportedly appeared for the exam. 77-year-old Rajamma and her 51-year-old daughter Vasanthi wrote the examination at Pachalloor Kanyarnada community hall, together.

The youngest candidate to appear for the examination was Thaslima of Perunthannu, aged 21.

This examination was held under the ‘Mikavutsavam‘ literacy initiative which is organised by the Literacy Mission as one of its most basic outreach programmes. It identifies illiterates and school dropouts and provides literacy and equivalency courses going up to the higher secondary level.

According to the authorities at the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority, approximately 2050 registered learners from 74 wards appeared for the examination, under the city corporation.

The KSLM has been an inspiration for the National Literacy Mission (NLM), with it showing interest in the state’s model of literacy. Recently, the National Literacy Mission invited the state authority to share its experience on ‘Adult Education’ during the International Literacy Day celebrations held in New Delhi.

NITI Aayog has also directed the National Literacy Mission to follow the directives of the Kerala Model of Literacy Mission.

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