This paper discusses the need for new model and approach to solve the problem of illiteracy of the most backward section of the society-women among scheduled and other backward classes. The empirical support for the study is testing, interview and observation conducted on the present status of 100 from among 1,500 adult learners who attended a total primary education programme designated as "yothirgamaya Programme", in Nilambur Grama Panchayat in 2007, the first local body to be declared as acquired "Total Primary Education" in the most literate state of India, i.e., Kerala. While the participants of the programme commented positively about the impact of the programme, the specific retention of the acquired abilities in terms of reading and writing of Malayalam and functional use of arithmetic is found too feeble. Though the programme has employed the mass movement through campaign mode, utilizing nearly one local facilitator per every 10 adult-learners, based on well-prepared study materials and the strategies that are known to generate involvement of the participants, spending almost 15 hundred rupees per the learner; the outcome is found not retainable. Impediments in the development of literacy among the most backward classes are discussed and a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods for literacy assessment is recommended.