No one will remain illiterate in the state. Emphasis will be placed on basic literacy, numeracy and practical life skills education for all. Education will be created in inaccessible areas, tribal villages, workers and neglected communities. With this aim, the Central Government has started the New India Literacy Programme (ULLAS). 3 crore 92 students and 51 lakh 4 thousand volunteers have joined this programme across the country. Those who have dropped out of school or are illiterate will be mainstreamed. 2.5 lakh illiterate children will be included in education in Odisha this year. A strict approach has also been taken by the School and Mass Education Department to achieve this goal.
According to the data of the department, as per the 2011 census, there are a total of 91 lakh 52 thousand 901 illiterate people in the state. Out of this, 30 lakh 33 thousand 715 are males and 61 lakh 19 thousand 186 are females. In the financial year 2025-26, the state government had set a target of making 22 lakh 60 thousand illiterate people literate by including them in the Jahannam program. For this, an awareness program was started. The first and second FLNAT were held in October 2025 and March 2026 respectively. A total of 10 lakh 55 thousand 817 people took the exam. The department received information from various districts and blocks.
This question arises that last year 22 lakh 60 thousand illiterate people were identified. But half of this target was not met. Only 10 lakh 55 thousand illiterate people took the exam. Educationists have questioned whether the target set by the government will be met this year. How many of the 2.5 lakh identified illiterate people will join the mainstream and become literate? Time will tell.
The Union Ministry of Education presented the action plan and budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting of the Odisha School and Public Education Department on March 19. In which the Union Ministry of Education has directed the state to identify 2.5 million illiterate people and make them literate. It has also been asked to achieve this target.
On the other hand, the Union Ministry of Education has started the celebration of Jhansi Week from the 1st of last month. In this regard, after the letter from the Union Ministry of Education to all the states, the School and Public Education Department has written to all the district education officers. In this, International Literacy Day will be celebrated on September 8, i.e. tomorrow. 3 crore 92 students and 51 lakh 4 thousand volunteers across the country have joined this program. Jhansi has registered on the mobile app.
3.35 crore students have given the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT). A special awareness programme will be organised during this festive period. In which students and volunteer teachers will be registered through a mobile application. They will go door to door to register illiterate people to study. Similarly, various workshops, seminars, conferences and meetings will be organised. Navbharat Literacy Programme will be organised.
