SAAKSHAR BHARAT MISSION Submitted by RENUKA MUNDA INTRODUCTION

SAAKSHAR BHARAT MISSION Submitted by RENUKA MUNDA

INTRODUCTION • Saakshar Bharat is the centrally sponsored nation-wide literacy scheme of the Indian Department for School Education and Literacy (DSEL) focusing on increasing women´s literacy in India. It was launched by the prime minister on International Literacy Day in September 2009. Its aim is to significantly reduce the number of non-literate adults in India and foster an environment within communities that encourages lifelong learning. • Whilst the 2011 census showed that India´s literacy has reached 74. 04%, an increase of 9. 2% from the 2001 census, the literacy rate of women continues to be significantly lower at 65. 46%, compared to men’s rate of 82. 14%. The programme´s focus is on reducing this gender disparity and thereby achieving the government´s target of 80% national literacy. This will be achieved through the provision of basic literacy to 70 million more people, of which 60 million are women.

TARGETS OF THIS MISSION The principal target of the mission is to impart functional literacy to 70 million adults in the age group of 15 years and beyond. Auxiliary target of the mission is to cover 1. 5 million adults under basic education programme and equal number under vocational (skill development) programme. Within these targets, the Mission will primarily focus on, but not limited to, women. Schedules Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) Minorities, other disadvantaged groups and adolescents in rural areas in low literacy States will be other focused groups. For each focused group and area, there will be a specific target and for each target, an explicit approach and strategy. CATEGORY WISE TARGETS UNDER LITERACY PROGRAMME (MILLIONS) Category Male Female Total SC 4 10 14 ST 2 6 8 MUSLIMS 2 10 12 OTHERS 2 34 36 TOTAL 10 60 70

OBJECTIVE S The Mission consists of four objectives: 1. Provide basic literacy and numeracy to non-literate and non-numerate adults. 2. Provide qualification equivalent to formal educational system and establish learning for neo-literates beyond basic literacy. 3. Provide Vocational education. Imparting learners with relevant skill development programmes is crucial to improving their working and living conditions. 4. Promote a learning society by providing opportunities to neo-literate adults for continuing education.

TEACHING-LEARNING PROGRAMMES To respond to the demand for literacy and address the diverse needs of the non and neo-literate adults, an assortment of teaching learning programmes, including Functional Literacy Programme, Basic Education Programme, Vocational Education and Continuing Education Programme will be offered as an integrated continuum.

ADULT EDUCATION CENTERS (AEC): Lok Shiksha Kendra The Adult Education Centres are the operational arm of Saakshar Bharat, responsible for the organization and delivery of classes. Adult Education Centres are established in Gram Panchayats (Local Self Government at Village level) on the basis of one per a population of 5, 000. One AEC is set up in every village and is manned by two paid Preraks (coordinators), of which at least one is a woman. This reflects the drive to encourage and reinforce gender equality throughout the programme, including its core implementation, planning and management structures. The centre offers various services; registration, a venue for teaching, a library and reading rooms. It is also used as a centre for promoting and practicing sports, adventure and cultural activities. To impart functional literacy to non-literate adults a mass campaign approach is adopted. A literacy educator (volunteer) who is a local resident acts as a mobiliser, trainer and teacher and is responsible for imparting literacy on average to 8 -10 learners. In a Gram Panchayat as many adult education centres are organised as are required to cover the non-literate adults in different areas. Literacy educators receive training – before and during their tuition.

IMPACT From 2009 -2012 the programme expanded to 372 districts. The majority of the country’s states have successfully implemented Saakshar Bharat, as per the framework detailed in the Organisational structure section of this report. 170, 000 facilities such as libraries and reading areas have been established as part of the Continuing Education phase of the programme. In a period of 3 years, the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) has assessed and certified 14, 438, 004 adults for their proficiencies in reading, writing and numeracy. Furthermore, literacy in India is improving. The 2011 census showed literacy in India has increased from 64. 84% in 2001 to 74. 04% in 2011 and the male-female literacy gap has reduced from 21. 59% in 2001 to 16. 68% in 2011. All areas of India have almost without exception reported a rise in literacy rates from 2001 -11. The total number of illiterates has decreased from 304. 15 million to 272. 95 million. Prior to Saakshar Bharat was the National Literacy Mission, from which it developed. As a key implementer for literacy we can say the Saakshar Bharat has been successful.

SHAKSHAR BHARAT IN WEST BENGAL • 9 districts was included under this program. Later Paschim Medinipur is proposed to be included in the program since it is a left wing extremism affected district. District Names Female Literacy Rate Puruliya 29. 57 Uttar Dinajpur 29. 93 Maldah 34. 16 Murshidabad 39. 94 Bankura 43. 66 Jalpaiguri 44. 63 Birbhum 45. 59 Dakshin Dinajpur 46. 64 Coochbehar 47. 22

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