MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) & (b) : To achieve the goal of Adult Education, the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA) is implementing
two schemes, namely, the Saakshar Bharat Mission, the new variant of the National Literacy Mission, and the Support to
Voluntary Agencies for Adult Education and Skill Development Scheme. The Saakshar Bharat Mission aims to provide adults
(in the age group of 15 and above) opportunities for functional literacy, basic education, skill development and
continuing education. The main objective of the Scheme of Support to Voluntary Agencies for Adult Education and Skill
Development is to secure extensive as well as intensive involvement of the voluntary sector in the endeavour of the
Government to promote functional literacy, skill development and continuing education among adults. Data on literacy
is collected decennially and not annually. The State-wise literacy rate, as per Census of 2011, is attached as
Annexure – I.
(c) : The Scheme of Support to Voluntary Agencies for Adult Education and Skill Development encompasses three components,
namely, State Resource Centres, Jan Shikshan Sansthans and Assistance to Voluntary Agencies. The statements indicating
the funds released under the Scheme to Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSSs) and State Resource Centres (SRCs) in the last
three years and in the current year are annexed at Annexures – II & III respectively. No financial assistance has been
provided in this period under the component of Assistance to Voluntary Agencies.
(d) : The State Resource Centres (SRCs) have the mandate to provide academic and technical resource support to the
Adult Education Programmes in different States. They have also been assigned the additional task of providing support
to the State Literacy Mission Authorities in the implementation of the Saakshar Bharat programme in selected areas
in each State, termed as ‘Islands of Success’. As per the various activities entailed in their Annual Action Plans
for the Islands of Success, that are approved by the NLMA, including, inter alia, supporting and facilitating the
completion of preparatory activities like the formation of Committees, the opening of subsidiary bank accounts,
conducting a survey, the uploading of survey data on the Saakshar Bharat portal, capacity building etc, the SRCs have
achieved the desired outcomes. The Jan Shikshan Sansthans provide vocational training to non-literate, neo-literate
as well as school dropouts by identifying such skills as would have a market in the region of their establishment.
The details of the beneficiaries covered under vocational training programme of the Jan Shikshan Sansthans, State-wise,
during the last three years and current year are at Annexure – IV.
(e) : The performance of the Jan Shikshan Sansthans and the State Resource Centres, vis-a-vis their respective
approved Annual Action Plans, are monitored by the NLMA through progress reports, monthly and quarterly review meetings
for the SRCs, half yearly review meetings for the JSSs, evaluation, performance audit, workshops, action plan meetings
and personal visits of officers. Appropriate action is taken by the NLMA against those SRCs and JSSs that do not
perform the mandated responsibilities satisfactorily, including, inter alia, stoppage of grants and cancellation in
case of persistent violations by them.
