Determined to ensure even distribution of the fruit of literacy and education across all sections of society, the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority has rolled out its coastal literacy programme, Aksharasagaram, in three more districts, implemented with financial assistance from the Fisheries Department, the project combines KSLMA’s literacy and continuous education programmes. After its successful implementation in the coastal Panchayats of Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram and Kasaragod districts, the programme has now been introduced in Ernakulam, Kollam and Kozhikode districts. The Second phase of the programme was inaugurated by Fisheries Minister J.Mercikutty in kollam
The second phase is being implemented in 234 wards in 39 least literate coastal panchayats spread across the three districts. Fifteen local bodies in Ernakulam, 12 in Kozhikode, and nine in kollam district are covered under the programme.
A survey conducted as a prelude to the roll- out of the programme found 3816 illiterates in the three districts, With 1728 illiterates, Kozhikode district topped the list, followed by kollam with 1459 and Ernakulam with 629 illiterates. in illiterates moste of them are women- 2317.
In the first phase as many as 3568 passed literacy exam and 1376 won 4th standard Equivalency examination.