Pandalam Thekkekara: Overcoming the hurdles of age and life’s challenges, equivalency students have finally received their hard-earned certificates. Among them was 83-year-old Kalyani, who, like many of her peers, arrived early in the morning. Many were seen holding the hands of their grandchildren for support. These students completed Class 4 through the equivalency examination under the Navachethana Programme, a joint initiative of the Literacy Mission and the local panchayat.

The Navachethana Scheme aims to identify residents of Scheduled Caste settlements who were unable to complete education up to Class 4 and provide them with equivalency opportunities. Under the project, authorities identified 216 persons through a survey, of whom 186 were able to attend classes. The classes were based on textbooks prepared by the Literacy Mission. The examination, held under the title Mikavulsavam (Festival of Excellence) across 12 centres, saw all 186 students pass, including 154 women and 32 men.

The certificate distribution was inaugurated by AG Oleena, Director of the Literacy Mission, with Panchayat President S Rajendraprasad presiding over the event. Kalyani, the eldest among the students, was felicitated by Panchayat Vice President Rahel. Study materials were also distributed on the occasion.

District Coordinator EV Anil and others, including Priya Jyothikumar, VP Jayadevi, KR Renjoith, S Sreevidya, Ponnamma Varghese, R Simla, VP Vidyadhara Panicker and CS Krishnakumar, spoke at the event.