3,723 candidates take literacy exam in Ludhiana

In Ludhiana, over 3,700 candidates took a literacy exam on Sunday as part of the New India Literacy Programme (NILP). The program aims to improve literacy among individuals aged 15 and above. It covers foundational skills, financial and digital literacy, health awareness, and vocational training. Teachers expressed concerns about the exam's timing. They said the last-minute pressure to enroll candidates complicated their workloads. Gurpreet Singh from the Democratic Teachers’ Front mentioned that they received instructions only days before the exam, making it hard for students to prepare. March is already a busy month for teachers, with them checking answer sheets and preparing for board exams. Dharamjeet Singh Dhillon, from the Lecturer Cadre Union, criticized the added demands. He noted that teachers must complete the literacy exam and submit the results quickly, adding to their stress. Rajwinder Kaur, the nodal in-charge for the exams, stated that although 3,723 candidates pre-registered, some enrolled on the exam day. She said schools should have completed online registration months before. Kaur also highlighted that the exam schedule is posted on WhatsApp groups, expressing disappointment that teachers did not follow the guidance.