40 prisoners in Mandya write literacy exam under ‘Change through Learning’ initiative 

Marking a significant step in the government’s initiative in rehabilitating prisoners, 40 inmates of the Mandya District Prison appeared for a literacy examination on Sunday under the ‘Change through Learning’ programme.

The candidates include 37 men and three women who had undergone literacy training over the past one year. Many of these prisoners were illiterates, and had volunteered to take up reading and learning when the initiative was launched.

Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO K.R. Nandini oversaw the conduct of the examination. She underlined the transformative power of education in reforming lives.

“We must create awareness among inmates about the importance of education and also provide them with skill development training. This will help them reintegrate into society with dignity,” Ms. Nandhini said.

She also inspected the facilities at the prison, including the women’s barracks, drinking water supply, sanitation, library, and the prison’s industrial unit.

One of the elderly inmates, who shared his experience, recalled that his grandchildren were already going to school and made him wonder whether it made sense for him to take up learning at his age. But he was encouraged by his teacher Shivalingaiah who stressed the importance of reading and writing following which the prisoner continued with his learning. “Today, I am able to read and write to some extent,” he said, while sharing his experience with the Chief Executive Officer.

The authorities said that Mr. Shivalingaiah has taught 126 prisoners so far and hence they will impress upon the education department to recognise his efforts and felicitate him on Teachers’ Day. Mr. Shivalingaiah was ridiculed by a section of his colleagues as he sought to teach prisoners, but he persisted and displayed rare commitment, the authorities added.

According to Jail Superintendent T.K. Lokesh, inmates were given two hours daily for learning, with lessons based on the textbook “Light for Life” under the programme, which aimed at teaching the prisoners to read, write, learn basic arithmetic, and general knowledge.

In addition to the literacy programme, the prison also provided vocational training in areas like mushroom cultivation, cooking, plumbing, and motor repair. The prison library is well-stocked with over 18,000 books and subscribes to 13 newspapers, 45 weekly magazines, and other periodicals that are made available to the inmates. The library is also equipped with tables, chairs, and fans.

The answer sheets of the literacy exam will be evaluated by the Mandya South Zone Block Education Office, and successful candidates will be awarded ‘Neo-Literacy Certificates’, the officials added.