29-Mar-2023: New India Literacy Programme launched to cover a target of 5.00 crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above
Government has launched 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 financial outlay of Rs.1037.90 crore out of which Rs.700.00 crore is 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 and (v) Continuing Education.
The beneficiaries under the scheme are identified through door to door survey on Mobile App by the surveyors in the States/UTs. The non-literate can also avail the benefit of the scheme through direct registration from any place through mobile app. The scheme is mainly based on volunteerism for teaching and learning. Volunteers can also register through 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 DIKSHA platform of NCERT and can be accessed through the mobile-apps. Further, other modes like TV, Radio, Samajik Chetna Kendra etc. are also to be used for dissemination of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy. All the non-literate above 15 years of age can avail the benefits of the scheme.
17-Jan-2023: NCERT has notified India’s first national assessment regulator, PARAKH
PARAKH
- Launched as part of NEP-2020 implementation
- Constituent unit of NCERT
- Tasks: periodic learning outcome tests (NAS, State Achievement Surveys)
- 3 major assessment areas: large-scale assessments, school-based assessment, examination reforms
Objective
- Uniform norms & guidelines for student assessment & evaluation for all recognized school boards
- Enhance assessment pattern towards 21st century skills
- Reduce disparity in evaluation across state & central boards
- Benchmark assessment framework to end emphasis on rote learning
Significance
- Tackles disparity in college admission
- Innovative evaluation through technical standards for tests
- Holistic approach to education with stakeholder feedback & best practices
- Progressive shift towards scientific approach to education catering to child's ability.
23-Dec-2022: Promotion of Digital Literacy
India over the last 7 years has become a prominent nation in deploying technologies for the benefit and transforming the lives of its citizens. Keeping this in view, the Government is focusing on providing digital literacy to citizens across the country, especially in rural areas. In line with this, Government has been taken various steps as under:
- During the years 2014 to 2016, Government of India had implemented two Schemes on providing digital literacy to the masses namely “National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM)” and “Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA)” with a cumulative target of 52.50 lakh persons (one person from every eligible household) across the country including rural India. Under these two schemes, a total of 53.67 lakh beneficiaries were trained, out of which around 42% candidates were from rural India. Both schemes has been closed now.
- In the year 2017, Government was approved a Scheme titled ''Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)'' to usher in digital literacy in rural India with a target to cover 6 crore rural households (one person per household) across the country. So far, a total of more than 6.62 crore candidates have been enrolled and 5.68 crore have been trained, out of which 4.22 crore candidates have been duly certified under the PMGDISHA Scheme across the country.
Several young, talented youth who are well conversant in information technology have set up Common Service Centres (CSCs) as Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) at the Panchayat level. The CSCs, which meet the eligibility criteria as per PMGDISHA Scheme guidelines, are also approved for imparting digital literacy training to the rural population. Such youth who meet the eligibility criteria for becoming a trainer under the PMGDISHA are employed by the VLEs for imparting digital literacy training. In addition, the beneficiaries, who are trained under the PMGDISHA Scheme, are also helping their family members and friends to become digitally literate.
1-Apr-2022: Digital Literacy
The NITI Aayog Report titled "Strategy for New India @75" inter-alia indicates that India needs to eliminate the Digital Divide by 2022-23. In this regard, it is stated that Skill development and creating skilled talent is an important mission to ensure that the growing digital economy of India is provided with the trained and skilled manpower that Industry requires. To further aid digital adoption, the Ministry has focused on digital literacy for citizens since 2014, across the country, especially in rural areas.
Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has taken the following initiatives to bridge the digital divide in the country:
- In the years 2014 to 2016, two Schemes titled “National Digital Literacy Mission” (NDLM) and “Digital Saksharta Abhiyan” (DISHA) were implemented by the Government with a target to train 52.50 lakh candidates in digital literacy across the country. Under these two schemes, a total of 53.67 lakh beneficiaries were certified.
- In 2017, a scheme titled “Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)” was approved by Union Cabinet to usher in digital literacy in rural India by covering 6 crore rural households (one person per household). So far, a total of around 5.78 crore candidates have been enrolled and 4.90 crore have been trained, out of which around 3.62 crore candidates have been certified under this scheme.