As many as 3000 learners from Meghalaya took part in the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) so that they can be declared as literates on qualifying.
The FLNAT under New India Literacy Programme was held on March 19 across 10 states and union territories in the country to assess the basic Reading, Writing and Numeracy skills of the neo-literates. The youth and students of schools and colleges were involved as volunteer teachers to organise teaching learning activities.
Non-literates of 15 years and above age group included men and women of more than 80 year’s age and proud to hold pen.
New India Literacy Programme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme approved by the Government of India for implementation during FYs 2022-27. The scheme is in alignment with the recommendations of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The scheme targets all non-literates of age 15 years and above in the country, with more focus on females and educationally backward states. It has five components, namely Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education.
The scheme is to be implemented through volunteer teachers. NYKS volunteers, community, students of schools and higher education institutions and teacher education institutions will be involved in teaching learning activities for its effective implementation in the country.
On January 27 this year, the University Grant Commission (UGC) issued directions to the vice chancellors of universities and principals of all colleges in the country for involvement of students and higher education institutions in the implementation of the scheme. The UGC directed that there should be credits for this volunteer activity and the students of teacher training institutes should have mandatory course work for New India Literacy Programme.
The learners are encouraged to access the learning content in local languages in online mode through the DIKSHA platform of NCERT.
Government schools and aided schools registered under UDISE are the units of implementation of the scheme.
The certification of learners will be done twice in a year by conducting Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Tests in collaboration with National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).