18 Sep :With female education not picking up, the government on Friday said it intends to give more focus on women literacy through a national mission.
“Female literacy rate was not up to the mark,” Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik said at a function in New Delhi.
Referring to the National Literacy Mission (NLM) launched by the government, he said though literacy rate has improved in the country, female education was still lagging behind.
“The government will, therefore, now run the NLM as National Women Literacy Mission,” he said addressing a gathering of meritorious students belonging to scheduled caste category.
Around 270 students from 17 states were conferred with Dr Ambedkar National Merit Awards for performing well in the class XIIth examination conducted by state education boards and councils in 2008.
Students securing highest, second highest and third highest marks were given Rs 60,000, Rs 60,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively and a certificate.
The awards are given by Ambedkar Foundation, a body which is affiliated to the Ministry.