The Indian government has recently approved a new scheme, the New India Literacy Programme, for the period FYs 2022-2027. This programme has been designed to align with the National Education Policy 2020 and the Budget 2021-22, which announced the introduction of increased access to resources and online modules covering the entire gamut of adult education.
The objective of the New India Literacy Programme is not only to impart foundational literacy and numeracy but also to cover other components that are necessary for a citizen of the 21st century. These components include critical life skills, vocational skills development, basic education, and continuing education. The scheme aims to provide holistic adult education courses in arts, sciences, technology, culture, sports, and recreation, as well as other topics of interest or use to local learners, such as more advanced material on critical life skills.
Implementation of the Scheme
The scheme will be implemented through volunteerism via an online mode. Volunteers will receive training, orientation, and workshops through face-to-face mode, and all material and resources will be provided digitally. Schools will be the unit for implementing the scheme, and they will be used for conducting surveys of beneficiaries and voluntary teachers.
Coverage and Target
The New India Literacy Programme targets non-literates of the age of 15 years and above in all states/UTs in the country. The target is 5 (five) crore learners @ 1.00 crore per year by using the Online Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System (OTLAS) in collaboration with National Informatics Centre, NCERT, and NIOS.
The Need for Such a Scheme
According to Census 2011, the absolute number of non-literates of the country in the 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.
Other Initiatives
Several other initiatives have been taken in this direction, such as the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Digital India Programme, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan, National Digital Literacy Mission, and Samagra Shiksha. These initiatives aim to promote skill development, empower citizens with digital literacy skills, and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education.
Way Forward
The New India Literacy Programme is a significant step towards achieving education for all. Education systems across the world should provide the necessary training for children and working adults so that they can learn to read and write. National educational plans should include schooling for children and literacy training for adults as parallel elements. By providing access to education, we can empower individuals and communities and create a better future for all.