Lok Sabha Question No. 388 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Saakshar Bharat Programme
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

**LOK SABHA**

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.388

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.7.2015

**Saakshar Bharat Programme**

†388. 	SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the broad objectives of Saakshar Bharat Programme and its functioning pattern including the section/category of the group being focused therein;

(b) whether any fundamental changes have been made in the Saakshar Bharat Programme by the Government;

(c) if so, the details thereof including the changes made therein and the reasons therefor including the manner in which it is likely to boost the campaign;

(d) whether the Government has sought cooperation from the private institutes, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of these institutes thereto; and

(e) whether any target has been fixed to achieve cent per cent literacy and if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

**MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT**

**(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)**

(a) Saakshar Bharat programme has got four broad objectives, namely; (i) Impart functional literacy and numeracy to non-literate and non-numerate adults; (ii) Enable the neo-literate adults to continue their learning beyond basic literacy and acquire equivalency to formal educational system (iii) Impart non and neo-literates relevant skill development programmes to improve their earning and living conditions and (iv) Promote a learning society by providing opportunities to neo literate adults for continuing education.  A district, including a new district carved out of an erstwhile district that had an adult female literacy rate of 50 percent or below, as per the 2001 census, is eligible for coverage under the Saakshar Bharat programme. In addition, left-wing extremism-affected districts, irrespective of their literacy rate, are also eligible for coverage under the programme. The principal target of the programme is to cover 70 million adult non-literates under basic literacy with prime focus on Women, SCs, STs, Minorities & other disadvantaged groups in rural areas.

(b) No Madam.

(c) Does not arise.

(d) Under the Central Sector Scheme of “Support to Voluntary Agencies for Adult Education and Skill Development”, 32 State Resource Centres (SRCs) and 251 Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSSs) funded by the Government of India also help in development of academic curriculum for literacy and imparting skill training to non-literates/neo-literates respectively. Besides, Rotary India International is also associated with National Literacy Mission in spreading literacy among 1,00,000 learners. Periodic review meetings of SRCs and JSSs are held for monitoring their performances and sharing the feedback.

(e) Plan-wise targets are fixed to achieve higher levels of literacy in a phased manner. The present targets are to raise the overall literacy rate to 80 percent and reduce the gender gap to 10 percentage points by the end of XII Five Year Plan.

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