The Ministry of Education recently sent a letter to all states defining ‘literacy’ and clarifying what it means to achieve ‘full literacy’ as part of the renewed focus on adult education under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP).

What is literacy? 

• Literacy is the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. 

• Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.

• Full Literacy: A state or Union Territory is considered fully literate if it achieves 95 per cent literacy.

New India Literacy Programme (NILP)

• The NILP is a five-year a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (2022-27) that aims to enroll one crore learners aged 15 and above each year across all states and Union Territories.

• This is popularly known as Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS).

• It has been approved by the government with a financial outlay of Rs 1,037.90 crore for financial years from 2022-23 to 2026-27. 

Objectives of the scheme:

• The primary objective of the scheme is to empower all adults aged 15 years and above, who have not had the opportunity to educate themselves, and to enable them to contribute to the growth of the country.

• The initiative is poised to revolutionise education and literacy across the nation, by fostering a learning ecosystem that reaches every individual, bridging the gaps in basic literacy and critical life skills.  

It not only allows the learners to acquire reading, writing and numeracy skills, but also to enrich them with an understanding of:

i) Critical life skills including financial literacy, digital literacy, commercial skills, health care and awareness, child care and education, and family welfare.

ii) Vocational skills development with a view towards obtaining local employment.

iii) Basic education including preparatory, middle, and secondary stage equivalency.

iv) Continuing education including engaging 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.

• The scheme aims to cover a target of five crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above. 

• The scheme is being implemented through volunteerism, promoting social responsibility and a sense of duty. 

• Furthermore, the learners are encouraged to access the content in regional languages on DIKSHA portal as well as through the ULLAS mobile app.

• ULLAS continues to act as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path to education and personal growth. 

• The curriculum, therefore, is designed keeping in mind the socio-cultural-economic context of the learners, which allows for greater affinity and pride amongst them. 

• ULLAS also incorporates experiential learning in its teaching methods for volunteer teachers, making the entire process more engaging and meaningful, simultaneously providing practical value to learning.

• Along with this, the scheme acknowledges the efforts of the learners as well as the volunteer teachers through certificates which indubitably boost their confidence and motivate them to keep moving forward in life.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)