Bengaluru: In a transformative step toward inclusive education, the Government of India launched the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) for 2022–2027, aiming to bridge the wide literacy gap among individuals aged 15 years and above. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Union Budget 2021–22, this initiative moves beyond traditional notions of literacy to incorporate essential life and livelihood skills that prepare learners for the demands of the 21st century. With a total budget of ₹1037.90 crore and a target of 5 crore learners, NILP emphasizes digital delivery, volunteerism, and community involvement (Ministry of Education, 2022).
Unlike earlier adult education efforts, NILP has broadened its scope to include five key components: foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills (such as digital, legal, and financial literacy), basic education (up to secondary level equivalency), vocational skills for local employment, and continuing education covering arts, sciences, and cultural knowledge. Accessible through multilingual content on platforms like DIKSHA, the scheme leverages school infrastructure and encourages community-based implementation through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), voluntary networks, and digital outreach (Department of School Education and Literacy, 2022).
Karnataka, a frontrunner in educational reforms, has shown promising progress. As per the 2011 Census, the state boasts an overall literacy rate of 75.36%, with male literacy at 82.47% and female literacy trailing at 68.08%, underlining a persistent gender gap. While urban centres have surged ahead, rural and marginalized communities, particularly women, continue to face barriers in accessing basic education. To address these disparities, the Sakshara Sanmana program was launched in Karnataka, targeting gram panchayat representatives mainly women who lacked formal education. The program aims to enhance grassroots democracy by equipping these leaders with foundational literacy and civic knowledge. Similarly, civil society organizations have stepped in to support literacy efforts.
A recent study conducted in slums of Vijayapur and Doddaballapur taluks assessed the impact of adult literacy programs on 200 women learners, highlighting both achievements and areas for improvement. The results were encouraging: most participants could recognize numbers, perform basic arithmetic operations, and write effectively. While reading sentences posed challenges, comprehension skills were generally strong. These outcomes indicate that the programs have successfully laid a foundation for functional literacy.
Beyond academics, the programs have instilled social awareness and civic engagement. Many participants reported increased knowledge of women’s rights, legal protections, and health services. Notably, all participants expressed opposition to child marriage, signalling a positive cultural shift. Additionally, the majority encouraged their children’s education, showing intergenerational impacts of adult literacy.
However, the study also revealed significant gaps and challenges. Many participants struggled to support their children’s schoolwork or lacked the confidence to pursue further education. Vocational skills training was limited, restricting participants’ ability to enhance their economic status. Despite some improvements in decision-making and personal discipline, broader financial empowerment remained elusive, and job opportunities were scarce.
Barriers to participation were also identified. These included short program durations, rigid schedules, limited availability of volunteers, and socio-cultural constraints, especially lack of family support. Study materials were often removed after sessions, making reinforcement difficult. For those not enrolled in literacy programs, fundamental literacy and numeracy skills were notably absent. These women struggled with tasks as simple as reading signs or counting money underscoring the urgent need for targeted outreach.
Delving deeper, the study explored the underlying reasons for non-participation, most of which stem from everyday challenges such as heavy domestic workloads, time limitations, and insufficient access to learning resources. Notably, lack of interest was not a primary factor, suggesting that many women are willing to learn if provided with the necessary support. However, poor communication strategies and weak community-level engagement have hindered the reach and effectiveness of these programmes, especially in underserved regions. Addressing these gaps through context-sensitive messaging and stronger community involvement is essential to unlock the programme’s full potential.
Looking ahead, there is a clear need for tailored and responsive interventions in adult literacy programmes. These initiatives must be attuned to the real-life experiences and challenges faced by women learners, offering flexible schedules, better volunteer training and retention, and consistent follow-up support. Crucially, adult education must be linked to economic empowerment by integrating vocational and entrepreneurial training into the curriculum, equipping women with practical skills to break the cycle of poverty and work towards financial independence.
Karnataka’s progress, though commendable, is only the beginning. Achieving universal adult literacy requires a collective effort from government bodies, non-profits, educational institutions, and local communities. As NILP evolves into a Jan Andolan (people’s movement), it has the potential to transform not just individuals, but entire communities.
One participant in the literacy program perhaps captured the true spirit of the initiative best:
“It’s not only about learning to read and write—it’s about learning to live with greater dignity.”
References
Census of India (2011). Karnataka Population Census 2011. https://www. censusindia.co.in/states/karnataka
Department of School Education and Literacy, 2022). New India Literacy Programme. https://dsel.education.gov.in/en/nilp
Ministry of Education (2022). Government approves ‘ New India Literacy Programme, a new scheme of Adult Education for FYs 2022-27. https://www.pib.gov.in/Press ReleasePage.aspx?PRID=179880