The Union Government approved a new scheme New India Literacy Program for the period from financial year 2022 to 2027 to cover all aspects of adult education in order to align with the National Education Policy 2020 and budget announcement 2021-22.
The National Policy on Education 2020 has recommended adult education and lifelong learning. The Union Budget 2021-22, was announced to enable increased access to resources.
The objective of the scheme is not only to provide basic literacy and numeracy but also to incorporate other components which are essential for the citizen of 21st century. It covers important life skills including financial literacy, digital literacy, commercial skills, health care and awareness, child care and education, family welfare, vocational skill development with a view to getting local employment, basic education including elementary, middle and secondary level.
The scheme will be implemented through volunteering through online mode. Volunteer training, orientation, workshops can be organized through face-to-face mode. All materials and resources will be made available digitally for easy access to registered volunteers through digital modes such as TV, radio, cell phone-based free or open-source apps or portals.
The scheme will cover non-literate people of the age of 15 years and above in all the states and union territories of the country. The target of Basic Literacy and Numeracy for the financial year 2022 to 2027 is to cover five crore learners per year using online teaching, learning and assessment system in collaboration with National Informatics Centre, NCERT and NIOS.
