DRAWING A LARGER CIRCLE, Pg8.

Key Highlights:

• ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society), launched in 2022, aims to provide education to adults aged 15 and above who missed formal schooling.
• The program aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, emphasizing 'kartavyabodh' (collective responsibility) for universal literacy.
• ULLAS utilizes schools as samajik chetna kendras, mobile apps in 26 languages, and digital platforms, supported by volunteer teachers.
• Rural literacy increased from 67.7% in 2011 to 77.5% in 2023-24, and female literacy rose from 65.4% to 74.6%.
• Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh have declared themselves fully literate.
• The Ministry of Education redefined literacy in August 2024 to include computational, digital, and financial skills.

Detailed Insights:

• ULLAS transforms schools into community learning centers and uses technology to reach remote learners.
• The program addresses SDG Goal 4.6, which mandates literacy and numeracy for all youth and a substantial proportion of adults by 2030.
• NEP 2020 recognizes the link between literacy rates and per capita GDP, driving the need for adult education initiatives.
• The initiative promotes digital literacy to enable citizens to use digital tools, manage finances, and participate in civic life.
• Volunteers play a crucial role in the ULLAS program, exemplified by individuals teaching neighbors and guiding them in using banking services.
• The program aims to expand the circle of learning, ensuring no one is excluded from participating fully in society.

Key Concepts Involved:

• ULLAS: A program for lifelong learning for adults, focusing on literacy and essential skills.
• National Education Policy 2020: India's framework to transform the education system by 2040.
• SDG 4.6: UN Sustainable Development Goal targeting literacy and numeracy for all by 2030.