The New India Literacy Program (NILP) is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Indian government to provide basic literacy to non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above. The program aims to cover a target of 5.00 crore non-literates across all states and union territories of India. The program is being implemented for five years, from FY 2022-23 to 2026-27, with a financial outlay of Rs. 1037.90 crore, with the Central government contributing Rs. 700.00 crore and the State governments contributing Rs. 337.90 crore[1][2].
Objectives of the New India Literacy Program
The primary objective of the New India Literacy Program is to provide basic literacy to non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above. The program aims to address all aspects of adult education, including foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, vocational skills development, and basic education. The program is also in line with the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to provide universal access to quality education to all citizens of India[3][2].
Features of the New India Literacy Program
The New India Literacy Program is a comprehensive program that aims to cover all aspects of adult education. Some of the key features of the program are:
- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy: The program aims to provide foundational literacy and numeracy to non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above.
- Critical Life Skills: The program aims to provide critical life skills to non-literates, including financial literacy, health and hygiene, and digital literacy.
- Vocational Skills Development: The program aims to provide vocational skills development to non-literates to help them become self-reliant and financially independent.
- Basic Education: The program aims to provide basic education to non-literates to help them improve their quality of life.
Implementation of the New India Literacy Program
The implementation of the New India Literacy Program is being carried out in a phased manner. The first phase of the program involves the identification of non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above. The identification process is being carried out using a survey app called the “Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram”[4].
Once the identification process is complete, the program will focus on providing foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, vocational skills development, and basic education to non-literates. The program will also provide access to online modules and resources associated with adult education to improve the accessibility and quality of education[3].
Significance of the New India Literacy Program
The New India Literacy Program is a significant step towards achieving universal literacy in India. According to the 2011 census, there were 25.76 crore non-literates in the country above 15 years of age. The program aims to cover a target of 5.00 crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above, which is a significant step towards achieving universal literacy in the country[1].
The program is also significant because it aims to address all aspects of adult education, including foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, vocational skills development, and basic education. This will help non-literates become self-reliant and financially independent, which will have a positive impact on their quality of life[3].
Conclusion
The New India Literacy Program is a significant step towards achieving universal literacy in India. The program aims to provide basic literacy to non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above and address all aspects of adult education, including foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, vocational skills development, and basic education. The program is being implemented in a phased manner and is expected to have a positive impact on the quality of life of non-literates in the country.
References:
[1] https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1911807
[2] https://currentaffairs.adda247.com/new-india-literacy-programme-launched-to-cover-target-of-5-crore-non-literates-in-age-group-of-15-years-and-above/
[3] https://byjusexamprep.com/current-affairs/new-india-literacy-programme-nilp
[4] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/new-india-literacy-programme-11-months-on-survey-work-yet-to-begin-in-36-u-p-dists-101676229052183.html