Government launches a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely, “New India Literacy Programme” (NILP) for implementation during five years from the FYs 2022-23 to 2026-27 with a financial outlay of Rs.1037.90 crore out of which Rs.700.00 crore is a Central share and Rs.337.90 crore is State share. 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:
- (i) Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.
- (ii) Critical Life Skills.
- (iii) Vocational Skills Development.
- (iv) Basic Education.
- (v) Continuing Education.
The beneficiaries under the scheme are identified through the door-to-door survey on Mobile App by the surveyors in the States/UTs. The non-literate can also avail of the benefit of the scheme through direct registration from any place through the mobile app. The scheme is mainly based on volunteerism for teaching and learning. Volunteers can also register through a mobile app for this purpose.
The scheme is based on technology and implemented predominantly through online mode. The teaching-learning material and resources have been made available on the DIKSHA platform of NCERT and can be accessed through mobile apps. Further, other modes like TV, Radio, Samajik Chetna Kendra, etc. are also to be used for the dissemination of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy. All non-literate above 15 years of age can avail the benefits of the scheme.
The program will use the “Online Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System (OTLAS)” in collaboration with National Informatics Centre, NCERT, and NIOS. The use of the “Online Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System (OTLAS)” will ensure that learners have access to quality education. The scheme also seeks to align with the National Education Policy 2020 and to provide inclusive and equitable education to all learners, including those in disadvantaged communities.
Due to a lack of funds to hire qualified teachers to exclusively teach adults, it will rely on volunteer-based teaching.