SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has been declared a Fully Literate Union Territory after recording a literacy rate of 98.43 per cent under the ULLAS-NBSK programme, Minister for School Education and Higher Education Sakina Itoo said on Saturday.
Itoo made the announcement while speaking at a Teachers’ Day function at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
She said the Union Territory had earlier achieved literacy milestones through district-level declarations, with the remaining areas subsequently brought under the programme, culminating in the UT-wide declaration.
According to Itoo, Jammu and Kashmir now ranks 10th in the country in terms of the achievement.
Earlier, in a post on X, the minister termed the declaration a “historic milestone” and said it was a matter of pride for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Itoo credited teachers, volunteers, officers and learners for the achievement, saying their collective efforts helped take literacy initiatives into communities across the Union Territory.
She also acknowledged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his leadership and commitment to strengthening education and empowering people.
The minister said the Fully Literate UT status should be regarded as the beginning of a new phase rather than the conclusion of literacy efforts, with continued emphasis on education, equality, dignity, progress and prosperity.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for the School Education Department as Jammu and Kashmir seeks to consolidate literacy gains and expand access to education across the Union Territory.
