1. Adult Literacy Program (ALP)
September 18, 2018

2. India and Education: Facts & Figures
About 17% adults worldwide (796 million people) do not have basic literacy skills, according
to UNESCO.
Nearly two-thirds of these adults are women.
At a national level, according to the 2011 census, India has over 287 million illiterate adults
who are unequipped to participate in its emerging knowledge based society.
37% of the total population of non-literate people across the world reside in India.
Going by the current rate of literacy growth in India, requires 1 million teachers and about
20-25 years or more to achieve 90% literacy rate.
9.21% increase only as compared to 14% in 2001 census

3. Literacy Rates in India Gap in Literacy rate (%)
Overview
According to National Literacy Mission (NLM), Functional Literacy is defined as
3 ‘R’s: Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic
30 words a minute
Literacy Rates in India
Census (Year)
Total
(%)
Males
Females (%)
Gap in Literacy rate (%)
2001
65.38
75.85
54.16
21.69
2011
74.04
82.14
65.46
16.68
TCS Solution: TCS set up the Adult Literacy Program (ALP) and crafted a Computer Based Functional Literacy (CBFL) solution, using its core IT skills, to help the Indian government promote literacy
The CBFLGFG
About the CBFL …….
CBFL is an innovative teaching method ,delivered using technology and has its underpinnings in Theory of Cognition and Laws of Perception .
CBFL method uses animated graphics patterns for visualization and audio appreciation. Such a combination of graphic patterns of visualization and repetition of sound patterns, leads to Recognition, Retention & Recall of words.
CBFL delivers Functional Literacy (Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic) in just 50 learning hours

4. Benefits of CBFL
Takes about one-sixth of the time required by conventional learning methods
Learners acquire a vocabulary of around 500 words, enough for day-to-day needs such as reading destination signs on buses, bank documents, and newspapers
Lower dropout rates in comparison with other adult literacy programs
9.21% increase only as compared to 14% in 2001 census

5. CBFL – An Overview
The instructor conducts classes using a computer for a batch of 15 to 20 students in a
session.
Each session lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per day depending on the implementing
agency’s schedule.
Taking into account both training and refresher sessions, it takes approximately three
months for a batch to finish the course.
CBFL is a user-friendly solution that an instructor can easily operate, even without prior
computer training.
Besides, no large scale infrastructure is required. Basic computers and stationery are
sufficient to implement the program.
Primers are also required as the program is a supplementary aid to the course content of
the National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA).
9.21% increase only as compared to 14% in 2001 census

6. CBFL – Across the Globe
In 2002, impressed by the success of the CBFL program in rural India, the First Lady of
South Africa, Zanele Mbeki was convinced it would work in her country too. As a result, the
TCS team helped design, develop, and initiate the first set of lessons in Northern Sotho,
which was implemented in the Northern Province of Pretoria. South African educationists
are now taking TCS’ CBFL program forward.
The Stern Stewart Institute, Munich sponsored the development of TCS CBFL in Moore, an
important tribal language spoken in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Around 2,000 adults have
benefitted from the program in Burkina Faso, till date

7. Promoting Literacy NLMA Various States
Offerings by TCS for ALP
Software, including monitoring tools
Infrastructure, namely second hand computers and speakers
Technical support
Training of Trainers
Constant monitoring and review
Evaluation and providing assistance for National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) exam
Overview
Stakeholders: Coverage: Statistics 1.
NLMA
Various States
Beneficiaries for FY : - 30,340/- 2.
NIOS
Villagers/Tribals/ Affirmative Action
Total Learners as of April, 2016: -263,270/- 3.
NGOs
Urban Slums
Indian Languages: 9 4.
Academic Institutions
Sex workers
Foreign Languages: 3 5.
Corporates
Prisoners
Jails: 4,810/- inmates 6.
Prisons
Security guards
Total Research Papers (internationally): - 4 7.
Housekeeping Staff
Research Papers for calendar year 2015 (internationally): - 1 8.
Foreign countries .

8. ALP with Group Companies
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. (TPDDL) has partnered with Virmani Foundation, to run ALP, using CBFL software of TCS, as part of their CSR and Affirmative action. They have been successful in reducing the problem of power thefts in Delhi. Seeing the success of TPDDL, many other power companies in Delhi, have started using CBFL, to promote literacy. (Ladies who were made literate, have started working as coordinators for the adult literacy program, or information gathering about new electricity users in the “basti”, or getting electricity bills paid. As commission, a lady earned Rs. 21,000 in a month). The reach for by TPDDL is 17,400 beneficiaries. TCS has also supported TPDDL through donation of second hand PCs and technical support when ever required.
Collaboration with Tata Trust – ALP at Yadgir, wherein 175 beneficiaries were made literate in FY
Indian Hotels, will be trying out a pilot, at Varanasi and then based on success, will cascade CBFL to the areas where their other properties are situated.
Tata Steel, Housing and Chemicals have evinced interest, but no progress as yet.

9. Other partnership initiatives
AIP: - Dovetailing with Academic Interface Program of TCS, by collaborating with various colleges and institutes, accredited by TCS, to promote literacy through students.
SBI – YFI: - Youth for India is a 13 month fellowship program, initiated, funded and managed by the State Bank of India in partnership with reputed NGOs in the country. It provides a platform for educated professionals to work on rural development projects of partner NGOs. TCS provides the CBFL software, along with TOTs and technical support to these individuals who are keen to take ALP forward.
Government: - Have been interacting with National Literacy Mission Authorities (NLMA), in order to promote CBFL in Model Adult Education Centers (MAECs) set up in rural areas and through Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. As of date, TCS has completed “train the trainers” program on the use of CBFL, with State Literacy Missions and State Resource Centers, for MAECs. With this, 364 trainers were capacity built to conduct CBFL across various States, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
Prisons: - A fresh thrust is being given to implement ALP in prisons. After discussion with various Director General (DG) of Prisons, work has commenced in several jails. Beneficiaries reached in 2015, were 4,810/- inmates.
NGOs: - To start with, 8 NGOs identified for ALP implementation in Expected reach to be approximately 65,000/- beneficiaries.

10. Prisons in India OVERVIEW OBJECTIVE
In India there are 1,387 jails with total capacity of 356,561/- inmates
Total number of inmates: 418,536/-
Male: 95.8% and Female: 4.2%
Occupancy rate: 117.4%
Close to 30% of inmates are illiterate
(the above are 2014 statistics and the source being
OBJECTIVE
True to its philosophy behind Victor Hugo’s quote “Open a school door, close a prison”, TCS saw it done through its indigenous ALP, which has been implemented across jails in India. There is an urgent need to address a holistic approach (spiritual, moral and economical) for rehabilitation of prisoners
The objective is to transform Prisons into real reformatories viz. “Empowerment Through Learning”
Impart ‘Functional Literacy’ to non-literate inmates
Provide the excluded a second chance to empower and enable themselves to deal with challenges of a literate society
Provide inmates opportunities for creative use of time and energy 4

11. Synopsis Location Jails Number of Learners Comment Delhi Tihar 480
Reach Numbers
Location
Jails
Number of Learners
Comment
Delhi
Tihar
480
Will be implemented in all the 9 jails of Tihar
Lucknow
District Jails
1,431
100% literacy as on 23/01/2015
Hyderabad
Chanchalguda
2,100
Including Special Women’s Jail
Gujarat
Sabarmati 80
Tamil Nadu
572
Maharashtra
147

12. ALP for FY
Reach Target for FY is 100,000 beneficiaries. More than three fold estimated
increase, as compared to last FY.
Target for Volunteering man hours for is 2,500/-
Agreements signed with 8 NGOs/Funding Agencies to implement ALP across India. Due
diligence was performed, including field trips. Requisite groundwork was done in terms of
good governance, by way of standardized costing tool, collection and scrutiny of requisite
documents, formulation of MIS reporting and complying with legal and finance related
requirements.
Base of volunteers has been created for the purpose of ToT, monitoring of program,
evaluation and testing
Infrastructure has been put in place to monitor the progress of the NGOs, through
standardized monthly reporting tool, constant field trips for monitoring, setting parameters
to evaluate outcome, etc.
9.21% increase only as compared to 14% in 2001 census

13. Contact TCS Adult Literacy Program Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
Tel : (022)
(040)
Fax : (022)
Website:

14. Thank you
September 18, 2018