Kathmandu, September 10
Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar, India, has won the prestigious UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize 2022 for its outstanding literacy programme based on the recommendations of an international jury.
The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize is sponsored by the Korean government and recognises contributions to mother language-based literacy development. KISS has received the award in the category of mother tongue-based multilingual education programme.
The award carries an endowment of USD 20,000, a medal and a diploma.
KISS is a constituent of the KIIT Group of Institutions.
The UNESCO Literacy Prize was presented at a global award ceremony organised by UNESCO in Côte d’Ivoire on September 8 and 9 to celebrate International Literacy Day.
KISS, the largest institute for indigenous students in the world, is credited with the adoption of innovative pedagogies as learning tools and bringing about a perceptible change in the socio-economic lives of the indigenous population through education.
KISS is a not-for-profit organisation headquartered in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
It was established in 1992-93 by well-known educationist Achyuta Samanta to empower the indigenous population through education. It is a fully free residential educational institution that provides holistic education, comprehensive skilling and sports empowerment.
“I thank UNESCO for recognising our efforts and social innovations in the field of education, literacy and indigenous empowerment. In my childhood, I struggled to get proper education and now I put all my life and soul to provide holistic education to millions at margins,” Samanta said in his message after receiving the literacy prize.
