Ampati, Sept 17: In villages and communities across South West Garo Hills, the message of literacy is travelling beyond classrooms and into homes, marketplaces and community spaces.
Through the ULLAS – Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society programme, efforts are underway to identify adult learners, create awareness and provide them with opportunities to acquire foundational literacy and essential life skills.
ULLAS is the adult education component of the Government of India’s New India Literacy Programme, being implemented during the period 2022–2027. The programme targets non-literate persons aged 15 years and above and seeks to promote literacy, practical life skills, digital participation and lifelong, self-directed learning.
In South West Garo Hills, the implementation of ULLAS is taking a distinctly community-based approach. Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) and Volunteer Teachers (VTs) are reaching out to households through door-to-door surveys to identify persons who have not had the opportunity to acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
Registration activities have been undertaken across 37 CRCs, including Agalgre, Ampati, Arakgittim and Matalagre, bringing the programme directly to communities. Volunteer Teachers are assisting identified learners with registration for the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), providing a structured pathway for learners to develop and demonstrate their foundational skills.
Awareness generation has also emerged as an important part of the district’s ULLAS campaign. On September 9, 2026, an awareness programme for neo-learners was organised at Goldatgre Village under Betasing Block, with the participation of the CRC and Volunteer Teachers. Pamphlets were also distributed among vendors to spread awareness about the programme among the wider community.
Recognising the important role of traditional and community leadership in reaching households, CRC-wise meetings are being conducted with Nokmas and Gaonburas to create greater awareness about ULLAS and encourage community participation. Meetings with Nokmas have been held under the Ampati and Agalgre CRCs, among others.
The message of literacy has also been taken to the streets through literacy rallies, including activities under the Arakgittim CRC. Schools across the district have participated in ULLAS Literacy Fortnight rallies, helping students and the wider community become ambassadors of the message that learning is not limited by age.
Creative activities have further strengthened awareness among children and communities. Drawing competitions have been organised under the Murchapani CRC at Murchapani SSA UPS and under the Salmanpara CRC, providing young participants with an opportunity to express their understanding of literacy and lifelong learning.
At the administrative level, coordination and convergence remain central to the implementation of the programme. A meeting on ULLAS in South West Garo Hills was conducted with the Deputy Commissioner, BDOs, DSEO, SDSEO, BMCs and other officers, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss and strengthen the implementation of the initiative across the district.
The objectives of ULLAS extend beyond the ability to read and write. By providing basic literacy and essential life skills, the programme seeks to enable adults to participate more confidently in socio-economic and digital life, access information and services, and continue learning according to their individual needs and circumstances.
The door-to-door approach is particularly significant because it helps reach people who may otherwise remain outside the formal education system. Each survey and registration represents an opportunity to connect an adult learner with a pathway towards greater confidence, independence and participation in society.
As ULLAS activities continue across South West Garo Hills, the combined efforts of education personnel, Volunteer Teachers, community leaders, schools and district-level stakeholders are helping build a wider culture of adult learning.
From a conversation at a doorstep to a rally on the road, from community meetings to classroom activities, the ULLAS campaign is carrying one message across the district, learning has no age limit and every citizen deserves an opportunity to learn.
