Srinagar, Sept 5 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir has achieved the distinction of becoming a Fully Literate Union Territory, with a literacy rate of 98.43 per cent recorded under the ULLAS-NBSK programme, Minister for School Education and Higher Education Sakina Itoo said on Saturday.
Speaking during a Teachers’ Day event at SKICC Srinagar, as per news agency JKNS, Itoo said Jammu and Kashmir had earlier declared literacy achievements at the district level, with some districts remaining to be covered.
She said the government has now declared the entire Union Territory fully literate, completing the process across Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister also said Jammu and Kashmir now stands at number 10 in the country in terms of the achievement, while emphasising the significance of reaching the milestone.
Earlier, in a post on X, Itoo described the declaration as a “historic milestone” and a moment of immense pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“With deep honour, I declare that Jammu & Kashmir has achieved the noble distinction of becoming a Fully Literate Union Territory, recording an outstanding literacy rate of 98.43% under the ULLAS–NBSK,” she said.
Itoo credited teachers, officers, volunteers and learners for taking education into communities across Jammu and Kashmir and contributing to the achievement.
“This achievement belongs to every teacher who taught, every volunteer who served, every officer who guided, and above all, every learner who chose to learn,” she said.
The minister also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his “visionary leadership, constant guidance, and unwavering commitment” towards strengthening education and empowering the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Itoo said the declaration should not be viewed as the end of the journey, but as the beginning of a new chapter in which education would continue to guide Jammu and Kashmir towards peace, progress, dignity, equality and prosperity.
She said the milestone was the collective achievement of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and would serve as a legacy for future generations.
The declaration marks another milestone for the School Education Department, with the government focusing on consolidating literacy and ensuring wider access to education across the Union Territory. (JKNS)
