Aizawl: Mizoram has been officially declared the first fully literate state under the Union government’s ULLAS initiative (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society).

The announcement was made at a state-level event held on Tuesday at the Mizoram University Auditorium, where Chief Minister Lalduhoma shared the declaration in the presence of Union Minister of State for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, and Mizoram’s Minister of Education, Dr Vanlalthlana.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2023, which aimed at educational collaboration and student exchange, was terminated unilaterally by the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode citing national interest.

At the event, the Chief Minister stated that the literacy milestone was not just a statistical achievement but a transformational moment for the state, reflecting the collective commitment, discipline, and vision of its people.

He highlighted that the declaration was made possible by the determined efforts of 1,692 individuals who, despite having missed earlier educational opportunities, chose to learn later in life.

Lalduhoma said the occasion marked not the end of a campaign but the beginning of a new era of empowerment, with the state now looking ahead to goals such as digital literacy, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship.

Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary congratulated the people of Mizoram, calling it a moment of national pride. He praised the dedication of all stakeholders involved in the literacy drive and expressed confidence that Mizoram would continue to lead in lifelong learning and skill development.

Chief Secretary Khilli Ram Meena, who chaired the event, delivered the welcome address and presented a brief report on the state’s path to achieving the landmark recognition. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS 2023–24), Mizoram has achieved a literacy rate of 98.2 per cent, surpassing the 95 per cent threshold mandated under the ULLAS programme of the Ministry of Education.

The recognition comes as a result of extensive efforts by the School Education Department through Samagra Shiksha and the New India Literacy Programme (Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram). The government established a Governing Council and Executive Committee under the State Literacy Mission Authority, with the State Project Office under Samagra Shiksha Mizoram leading the mission.

The State Centre for Literacy (SCL), under the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), developed Mizo-language literacy materials titled Vartian, along with an English version for the Lawngtlai district.

Additional resources like Romei for learners and Margdarshikha for Volunteer Teachers were also introduced. Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators identified 3,026 illiterate individuals aged 15 and above, of whom 1,692 expressed a willingness to learn.

To support the learners, 292 Volunteer Teachers were recruited and conducted regular classes across schools, community halls, YMA libraries, and in some cases, at the learners’ homes.