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Current Affairs 2023

New India Literacy Programme bridges gap in adult literacy with 22.7 lakh successful candidates passing the FLNAT - UPSC Current Affairs

Discover how the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) is bridging the gap in adult literacy in India with 22.7 lakh adults from 10 states and Union Territories passing the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) this year.

Mar 31, 2023

5 min read

The New India Literacy Programme (NILP) has made significant strides in bridging the gap in adult literacy in India. This year, the programme saw 22.7 lakh adults from 10 states and Union Territories pass the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT), with over 40% of successful candidates hailing from Madhya Pradesh. The NILP aims to target one crore adults in the upcoming year and has been allocated a budget of ₹150 crore for 2022-23, with nearly ₹80 crore being released to the States to kickstart the scheme.

 

To address the shortfall in funds for hiring teachers, the Education Ministry has encouraged students and teachers to volunteer their time to teach adults. Incentivizing college students, a credit-based framework has been put in place with the help of the University Grants Commission. Adult learners have access to a specially designed curriculum of four books, developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, which they must master within 200 hours of teaching to be certified 'literate.'

 

Of the 22.7 lakh candidates who appeared for the FLNAT this year, 9.25 lakh were from Madhya Pradesh, with more women (5.91 lakh) sitting for the test as compared to men (3.34 lakh). The NILP is the first government scheme to cover the missing age group of 15 to 18-year-old children, who are at risk of dropping out of school. While the Right To Education covers children up to 14 years, adult literacy programmes target those over 18 years.

 

Officials have stated that the focus is now on bringing children from 15 to 18 years back into the learning fold so that the cycle of illiteracy can break. The NILP is providing an opportunity for adults to gain literacy and numeracy skills through experiential learning and life skills. With the help of volunteer teachers and college students, adults are able to read with comprehension and have the necessary mathematical skills to be declared literate.

 

In conclusion, the New India Literacy Programme is a game-changing initiative in bridging the gap in adult literacy in India. The scheme's success in the past year highlights the importance of volunteer-driven initiatives to provide access to education for all. Through the programme, adults are empowered to gain the necessary literacy and numeracy skills to improve their lives and those of their families. Reference source: TH

 

UPSC Main Exam Question

 

What is the New India Literacy Programme and how is it helping to bridge the gap in adult literacy in India? Discuss the curriculum developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training for adult learners and highlight the key features of the programme.

 

Answer: The New India Literacy Programme (NILP) is an initiative launched by the Education Ministry to bridge the gap in adult literacy in India. This year, 22.7 lakh adults from 10 states and Union Territories became qualified as literate adults, passing the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) for 2022-23. The programme is volunteer-driven and encourages college students and teachers to volunteer their time to teach adults. NILP is targeting one crore adults next year and has been allocated ₹150 crore for 2022-23, of which nearly ₹80 crore was released to the States to kickstart the scheme.

 

The NILP is the first time that a government scheme covers the missing age group of 15 to 18-year-old children, who are at risk of dropping out of school. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed a curriculum of four books that adult learners have to master within 200 hours of teaching in order to be certified ‘literate.’ The curriculum focuses on experiential learning and life skills to ensure that adult learners are able to read with comprehension and have the necessary mathematical skills to be declared literate.

 

The key features of the NILP curriculum include an emphasis on practical life skills and experiential learning, as adult learners have different learning styles compared to children. The curriculum is designed to be completed within 200 hours of teaching and consists of four books that cover foundational literacy and numeracy skills. The books are designed to be self-explanatory and easy to understand, with an emphasis on the development of language skills and mathematical abilities.

 

In conclusion, the New India Literacy Programme is an important initiative aimed at bridging the gap in adult literacy in India. With the help of volunteer teachers and college students, the programme is providing an opportunity for adults to gain literacy and numeracy skills, with a focus on practical life skills and experiential learning. The curriculum developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training is designed to be completed within 200 hours of teaching and covers foundational literacy and numeracy skills, with an emphasis on the development of language skills and mathematical abilities. The NILP is an important step forward in ensuring that all adults in India have the necessary skills to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

 

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