MINISTRY OF EDUCATION LAUNCHES ‘ NEW INDIA LITERACY PROGRAMME, A NEW SCHEME OF ADULT EDUCATION.

Why in news?

• The union government recently approved a new scheme “New India Literacy Programme” during the fiscal years 2022-2027 to cover all the aspects of adult education and also to align with national education policy 2020.

About the scheme

• Even after Saakshar Bharat programme was implemented during 2009-10 to 2017-18, it is estimated that 18.12 crore adults are still non-literate.
• Objective of the scheme is to cover all aspects of Adult Education which include foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) as other components necessary for a citizen of 21st century such as:
  • Critical life skills, Vocational skills development, Basic education and Continuing education.
• It aligns with National Education Policy 2020 and from now on term “Education For All” will be used in place of “Adult Education’
• Launched for FYs 2022-27, target for FLN is 5 crore learners @ 1.00 crore per year by using “Online Teaching, Learning and Assessment System (OTLAS)”.
• Key features
  • FLN will be imparted to all non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above.
  • Priority will be given to Girls and women, SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, Persons with Special Needs (Divyangjans), Marginalized/ Nomadic/ construction workers/ laborers/etc.
  • Focus areas: Aspirational districts, districts with literacy rates less than National/State average, districts with female literacy rates less than 60%.
  • Outlay: Rs.1037.90 crore (Central share of Rs.700 crore and State share of Rs.337.90 crore).