E-Paper
104-year-old scores 89/100 in Kerala literacy examination
Kuttiyamma from Kerala’s Kottayam scored 89 out of 100 marks in the basic literacy examination last week and qualified to appear for the Class 4 equivalent test under the state’s literacy mission.
Scaling new heights, a 104-year-old woman from Kottayam scored 89 out of 100 marks in a literacy examination conducted in Kerala last week and has now qualified for the Class 4 equivalent test of the state’s Saksharata (literacy) mission.
Kerala education minister V Sivankutty was one of the first to highlight the feat when he posted a photo of Kuttiyamma and congratulated her for bringing laurels to the state.
“104-year-old Kuttiyamma from Kottayam has scored 89/100 in the Kerala State Literacy Mission’s test. Age is no barrier to enter the world of knowledge. With utmost respect and love, I wish Kuttiyamma and all other new learners the best. #Literacy” tweeted Sivankutty.
He said Kuttiyamma’s feat would inspire many to enter the beautiful world of education. As praises are pouring in from different quarters, Kuttiyamma’s family said she has already started preparing for the class 4 equivalent exam.
Last week’s examination was a basic proficiency test in Malayalam for aged people. which is equivalent to primary education and includes basic mathematics. State organised volunteers approach people and conduct their teaching at home.
Born in a poor family in Ayarkunnam village, Kuttiyamma never had an opportunity to go to school and married at the age of 15. Though she can read well, writing was quite alien to her all these years. When literacy mission volunteer M Rehna approached her two months, she grabbed the opportunity.
“Her only condition was that the teacher should speak louder because she has a hearing issue. She attended classes at home in the morning and evening religiously,” said Rehna, adding that she was moved by the centenarian’s desire to learn more. “She keeps nagging me with her doubts,” said her great-granddaughter M Sheeja, a high school student in Kottayam.
When invigilators came for the examination she flashed a toothless smile and repeated her plea to speak louder. Her family members said she was not tense on the examination day and kept the enthusiasm of a school toddler, and was studious enough about her books and pencil.
“She made our panchayat famous. She is a role model for many. We salute her enthusiasm and spirit,” said Jiji Nagamattom, panchayat member and education standing committee chief.
Interestingly Kottayam is known as a city of letters. It was declared the first 100 per cent literate city in the country in 1989.
The Kerala State literacy mission has been conducting classes and equivalent examinations for those who missed their opportunities to learn for many years. Its education centres under the local self-government institutions have empowered many like Kuttiyamma.
In 2018, a then 96-year-old woman, Karthiyayani Amma from Alappuzha district cleared the first formal examination under state’s literacy mission ‘Aksharalaksham’ with 98 out of 100 marks. She also got a special mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Maan ki Baat’ programme.
