Convicts in UP to get education

Literacy Drive

Terminal and annual examinations will also be conducted inside the jail premises.
Lessons in fifth to eighth standard will be offered in the beginning. Later classes for intermediate and graduate courses will also be held, said Sulkhan Singh, Inspector General, (Jails).

“The state basic education department will conduct the examinations and award certificates to successful candidates,” Singh said.  A proposal to this effect had been sent to the department and the latter had given its permission.

“The inmates, who get enrolled for the classes, will also be supplied text books free of cost,” he added.

I P Sharma , secretary, basic education department, said education officers had been directed to ensure availability of a trained teacher for taking examinations in jails.

“It will be the responsibility of the head master of the government school, which is nearest to the jails, to spare one teacher for this purpose,” Sharma said. “Examination papers and answer sheets will be sent by the school concerned for conducting the examinations,” he added.

The IG said the jail administration is working on a proposal to start classes up to the graduation level for inmates inside the jail premises.

“We intend not only to start classes for high school, intermediate and graduation courses inside the jails but also hold the examinations for them in the jail,” he said.

“It will help convicts when they leave the jail after completion of the sentence,” Singh said.  Over 1,500 prisoners are likely to be benefited by the scheme.

Earlier, teachers were appointed in jails to spread literacy among inmates and there was no arrangement for holding examinations and awarding of certificates. Henceforth, these teachers would regularly teach the prisoners.