Context: The Central Government of India has approved a new programme called the “New India Literacy Programme” for the fiscal years 2022 – 2027, which would include all elements of adult education and will be in line with the National Education Policy 2020.

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

Need of NILP

• As per Census 2011, the absolute number of non-literates of the country in 15 years and above age group is 25.76 crore (Male 9.08 crore, Female 16.68 crore).

• In consideration of the progress of persons certified as literates being to the tune of 7.64 crore under the Saakshar Bharat programme implemented during 2009-10 to 2017-18, it is estimated that currently around 18.12 crore adults are still non-literate in India.

About New India Literacy Programme

• Coverage: Non-literates aged 15 years and up will be covered by the scheme in all states and UTs across the country. 

• Aim:  It aimed at providing basic literacy and numeracy skills to around 5 crore non-literate individuals aged 15 years.

• Eligibility: All non-literates above 15 years of age are eligible to avail of the benefits of the scheme.

• Implementing Agency: In conjunction with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), National Council of Educational Research and Training(NCERT), and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), the aim for Foundational Numeracy and Literacy for financial years 2022 – 2027 is 5 (five) crore students at 1 crore each year using the “Online Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System (OTLAS).” 

The scheme has five components

1. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy(FLN): FLN is broadly conceptualised as a child’s ability to read basic texts and solve basic maths problems (such as addition and subtraction).

2. Critical life skills: including but not limited to commercial skills, financial literacy, digital literacy, child care and education, health care and awareness, as well as family welfare.

3. Vocational skills’ development: with the intent of discovering work in his/her area.

4. Basic education: includes equivalency for the preparatory, middle, as well as secondary stages.

5. Continuing education: including interesting holistic adult learning courses in the arts, sciences, technology, culture, games, and leisure, as well as other areas of interest or utility to local learners, like advanced content on important life skills.

Other Components

Identification of Beneficiaries

• Door-to-door surveys on a mobile app are conducted by surveyors in the States/UTs to identify beneficiaries.

• Non-literates can also register directly through a mobile app.

Volunteerism for Teaching and Learning

• Volunteerism in the form of online volunteering will be used to carry out the scheme. Face-to-face training, orientation, and workshops for volunteers are all possible.

• All materials and resources must be made available in digital format. The idea will be implemented through a school. Schools will be used to perform beneficiary and volunteer teacher surveys.

Implementation through Technology

• The scheme is implemented predominantly through the online mode and is based on technology.

• The teaching and learning material and resources are available on the DIKSHA platform of NCERT and can be accessed through mobile apps.

Dissemination of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

• Modes like TV, Radio, Samajik Chetna Kendra, etc. are also used for dissemination of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.

Other Empowering Initiatives of the Government

• Samagra Shiksha Scheme: It is an integrated school education plan that runs from pre-school to class XII, with the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable educational quality at all tiers.

• National Digital Literacy Mission: By the year 2020, it seeks to provide at least one member in each household with critical digital literacy skills.

• Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan: This is one of the country’s greatest efforts aimed at making people technologically literate.

• Digital India Programme: It brings together a variety of ongoing programmes by reorganising and refocusing them, and then putting them into action in a coordinated manner.

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): Its goal is to encourage the formation of large, high-quality, for-profit vocational institutions in order to foster skill development. It functions as a stimulus for skill development by making available funds to firms, organisations, and companies that give skill training.