New India Literacy Program Portal: NILP Education Gov in Portal

The NILP was launched in 1988, following the recommendations of the National Policy on Education, which emphasized the need for functional literacy as a means of empowering individuals and communities. The programme was initially implemented in selected districts, and later expanded to cover the entire country.

The NILP follows a community-based approach, with the involvement of local communities and institutions in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the programme. It also involves the use of innovative and learner-centric teaching-learning materials, such as the use of local languages and the incorporation of local culture and context in the materials.

The programme is implemented through a network of Community Learning Centers (CLCs), which are established in villages and urban areas. These CLCs serve as the primary teaching and learning centers for the NILP, and are managed by community-based organizations or local bodies. The CLCs are equipped with necessary infrastructure, such as classrooms, libraries, and teaching-learning materials, and are staffed by trained facilitators who conduct the literacy classes.

The NILP curriculum covers various functional literacy skills, such as reading, writing, and basic arithmetic, as well as life skills, such as hygiene, health, and civic responsibilities. The programme also includes supplementary education components, such as vocational training, women’s empowerment, and environmental awareness.

Evaluation and monitoring of the NILP is an integral part of the programme, with regular assessments conducted to track the progress of learners and the effectiveness of the programme. The NILP also conducts follow-up activities, such as providing post-literacy support and guidance to learners, to ensure that the literacy skills acquired by learners are sustained and put to use in their daily lives.

The NILP has made significant progress in improving literacy rates in India. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the literacy rate in India increased from 52.2% in 2005-06 to 73.5% in 2015-16, with the NILP contributing significantly to this improvement.

However, despite the progress made, there are still challenges in achieving universal literacy in India. These include inadequate infrastructure and resources, a shortage of trained facilitators, and the need to address issues of gender, caste, and disability. The NILP is working to address these challenges and to provide functional literacy to all non-literate adults in India.