Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Move to eradicate illiteracy among SHGs

Staff Reporter

They will be taught the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic

MADURAI: In a move intended to eradicate illiteracy among members of women self-help groups and to help make their presence felt in all walks of life, Mahalir Thittam of Tamil Nadu Women Development Corporation has joined hands with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan of Education Department.

They will teach them the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic. “Literacy is not merely about basic skills of reading and writing but is about helping individuals understand their social environment and equip them with problem solving skills,” said P.M. Chandrakassan, Project Officer, Mahalir Thittam.

He said that as per the reports received from Project Officers and field-level functionaries nearly 40 per cent of rural women in SHGs lacked education. Because of which, they solely depend on others for guidance in every activity.

To help women gain in confidence, face challenges and empower them socially, economically and politically, the Literacy Programme for SHGs would be implemented as a new scheme in 1,000 panchayats at a total cost of Rs.1.75 crore, Mr. Chandrakassan said.

In Madurai district, the Mahalair Thittam has identified 2,500 SHG members in Madurai East, Madurai West, Alanganallur, Vadipatti and Chellampatti blocks.

The Mahalair Thittam and SSA plan to identify as many as 100 ‘trainers of trainees’ from 50 federations, who will undergo 15 day training in activity-based learning methodology with the material prepared by SSA elementary schools.

The selected volunteers will conduct evening classes for illiterate women in schools or SHG buildings. The members will be taught basic mathematics and to read and write Tamil.

Volunteers will get a honorarium of Rs.400 a month besides Rs.3,000 worth training materials to conduct classes. A sum of Rs.160 will be given to panchayat-level federations as organisational cost.

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