In a letter to all States, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has defined ‘literacy,’ and what it means to achieve ‘full literacy’.
About New India Literacy Programme
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to be implemented during five years from the FYs 2022-23 to 2026-27
- Financial Outlay: Rs.1037.90 crore out of which Rs.700.00 crore is Central share and Rs.337.90 crore is State share.
- Target: The scheme aims to cover a target of 5.00 crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above.
- The Scheme has five components:
- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy,
- Critical Life Skills,
- Vocational Skills Development,
- Basic Education and
- Continuing Education.
- Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries under the scheme are identified through door to door survey on Mobile App by the surveyors in the States/UTs.
- All the non-literate above 15 years of age can avail the benefits of the scheme.
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About Literate and Non-Literate Person
- The definition was provided in the light of the renewed push for adult literacy under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP).
- Literacy: It may be defined as the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, i.e. to identify, understand, interpret and create along with critical life skills such as digital literacy, financial literacy etc.
- Full Literacy (to be considered equivalent to 100% literacy): Achieving 95% literacy in a State/UT that may be considered as equivalent to fully literate.
- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT): A non-literate person may be considered as literate under the NILP, as per the aforementioned definition when she/he has been declared literate after taking the FLNAT.
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Current Status of India
- Current Literacy Landscape: India has a significant literacy challenge, with approximately 25.76 crore non-literate individuals aged 15 and above, as per the 2011 Census. This includes 9.08 crore males and 16.68 crore females.
- Despite initiatives like Saakshar Bharat, which certified 7.64 crore individuals as literate from 2009-10 to 2017-18, around 18.12 crore adults remain non-literate.
- FLNAT Test: The pass percentage in FLNAT hovered between 89.64% to 91.27% in 2023. However in 2024 it has dropped down to 85.27%.
- Budget Allocation: For the 2024-25 period, ₹160 crore has been allocated for NILP. However, in 2022-23, only ₹76.41 crore was utilized, and in 2023-24, the budget was reduced from ₹157 crore to ₹100 crore.
- Future Goal: The MoE aims for India to achieve full literacy by 2030 through the Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS/NILP) initiative, addressing various life challenges faced by non-literate individuals.
Challenges faced due to Illiteracy
- Financial Transactions: Difficulty in handling and understanding financial matters.
- Job Applications: Inability to complete job applications and engage effectively in the job market.
- Media and Technology Comprehension: Challenges in understanding and utilizing media and technology.
- Understanding Rights: Limited ability to comprehend personal rights and responsibilities.
- Participation in Productive Sectors: Restricted participation in sectors requiring higher literacy and technical skills.
Way Forward
- Expand Adult Literacy Programs: Increase reach and effectiveness of programs like the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) to onboard more adult learners.
- Leverage Technology: Use digital platforms and tools to provide accessible literacy education and resources.
- Integrate Life Skills Training: Incorporate practical skills such as financial literacy and digital literacy into educational programs.
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August 27, 2024
