Tura, April 15: Meghalaya has set its sights on achieving full literacy by 2030, with renewed momentum given to adult education through the district-level ULLAS Festival held in Tura on Wednesday.
The event, hosted at the SMELC Building in Dakopgre under the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) initiative, marked a key step in expanding literacy efforts across West Garo Hills. The programme was organised by the State Literacy Mission Authority (SLMA) in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education and Literacy, following the state-level launch in Shillong.
Addressing the gathering, Meghalaya Minister Marcuise N. Marak described ULLAS as a “second chance” for adults who missed formal schooling, stressing that learning must continue throughout life. He highlighted that the state’s literacy rate currently stands at 94.2%, and crossing the 95% threshold would formally classify Meghalaya as a fully literate state.
The minister also underlined the government’s commitment to education, noting that the sector has received ₹3,347 crore in the latest budget—one of the highest allocations among departments. He said the state aims to consolidate universal literacy by 2030 under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills Vibhor Aggarwal said the ULLAS programme goes beyond basic reading and writing by integrating vocational training and financial literacy, helping reverse long-standing educational gaps in rural areas.
The ULLAS initiative, running from 2022 to 2027, focuses on adults aged 15 and above and includes specially designed learning materials in Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia languages to improve accessibility and participation.
The festival also celebrated the achievements of adult learners, including elderly participants who successfully cleared the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).
Awareness campaigns, including short reels and videos, were launched to widen outreach ahead of the next assessment scheduled for April 24.
Officials said efforts are now underway to maximise participation as Meghalaya accelerates its final push toward universal literacy.
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