SVEEP Programme: Electoral literacy in classrooms

Source: The post is based on the article “SVEEP Programme: Electoral literacy in classrooms” published in “PIB” on 20th December 2023

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Education and the Election Commission of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to incorporate electoral literacy formally into the school and college education system.

What is the MoU to Achieve Electoral Literacy in Classrooms?

Objectives of the MoU:

1) To incorporate voter education and electoral literacy formally into the school and college education system.

2) To extend ECI’s flagship Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) in schools and colleges.

Activities to be undertaken:

1) School curriculum: Electoral literacy will be added to NCERT textbooks as part of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for classes 6-12.

2) College/University: Voter education will be integrated into existing courses.

3) Teacher training: Training to teachers will be provided by way of inclusion of the subject matter in teacher education course materials.

4) Beyond the classroom: Spread awareness among students through Electoral Literacy Clubs in schools/colleges and Democracy Rooms in every senior secondary school, administering a pledge to vote by students, organising mock polls, EVM-VVPAT demonstrations, etc.

What is Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP)?

1) SVEEP is a flagship program of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

2) It is aimed at voter education, spreading voter awareness and promoting voter literacy in India.

3) SVEEP Strategy document (2022-25): It aims to a) Increase voter turnout to 75% in Lok Sabha elections 2024 and b) Enhance the quality of electoral participation in terms of informed and ethical voting through continuous electoral and democracy education.

What is Election Commission of India?

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UPSC Syllabus: Polity