Illiteracy is maximum in coastal wards of Corporation. There are 11,674 illiterates in the city, a majority of them women. These were the results of a survey conducted as part of Aksharasree, a literacy and equivalency project being implemented by the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority in the city Corporation limits. The survey findings showed that 7,256 women in the city were illiterate. As many as 1,175 belonged to the Scheduled Castes and 147 to the Scheduled Tribes.
The maximum number of illiterates was found in the Beemapally ward — 755. Illiteracy was maximum in the coastal wards, the survey found. There were 696 illiterates in the coastal ward of Kottapuram, 666 in Manikyavilakam, 517 in Harbour, 488 in Valiathura, 440 in Vellar, 315 in Poonthura, and 303 in Vettucaud.
The least number was found in Kuravankonam and Nanthancode wards — five each. The survey report was published by Ministers C. Ravindranath and A.C. Moideen. The survey found 12,979 people, including one transgender, who had not cleared Class 4.
There were as many as 22,999 people who had cleared Class 4, but not Class 7. As many as 45,208 people had passed Class 7 but not class 10, while 39,479 had cleared Class 10 but not Class 12. Of those who had not passed Class 10, three belonged to the transgender community. One each had not passed Class 12 and Class 4.
The maximum number of people who have not passed Class 4 and Class 7 is in Valiathura — 494 and 802 respectively. The maximum number of people who have not passed Class 10 is at Vellar (1,205) while that of people who have not passed Class 12 is in the Mulloor ward (1,029).
2.23 lakh households
The survey was conducted in 2.23 lakh households in 100 wards in the city by 14,318 volunteers, including students, mission equivalency learners, transgender continuing education learners, and others. People’s representatives, Kudumbashree and ASHA workers, residents’ association office-bearers, and library activists also took part.
Classes for those found illiterate will begin soon, mission director P.S. Sreekala said.