ADULT EDUCATION
 

National Literacy Mission

9.1.1 The mandate of the National Literacy Mission has been enlarged at the national level now to cover 100 million persons by 1997. International interest in the literacy efforts in the country has now become manifest and many countries through UNESCO have tried to share and understand our experiences. On the other hand efforts have been made to consolidate and sharpen the focus of the programme in the four important States where the bulk of the illiterate population resides. Conceptual strategies in certain critical areas of the programme were crystalised and guidelines particularly in one important area viz. post literacy were finalised. In another direction new vistas were attempted to be explored in the realm of continuing education and life long learning.

9.1.2 The Mission which was originally launched with the objective of imparting functional literacy to 80.00 million adult illiterates in the 15-35 age-group by 1995, has now been extended upto 1997 i.e. by the end of the 8th Plan and its coverage enhanced to 100 million. Apart from covering its target clientele in the 15-35 age-group, children in the 9-14 age-group would also be covered wherever there is a demand.

9.1.3 The Total Literacy Campaign which has now been established and accepted as the main strategy for eradication of illiteracy under the Mission has now been extended to 338 districts in the country and of these 130 districts have entered the post literacy phase. According to the reports received so far an estimated 71.1 million learners have been enrolled in the programme and 44.70 million persons are reported to have been made literate.

Review by Prime Minister in the Conference of Chief Ministers

9.2.0 A conference of Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories was held under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister at New Delhi on 15th February, 1994 to consider the reports of the National Development Council Committee on Literacy and CABE (Central Advisory Board of Education) Committee on Decentralised Management of Education and proposals regarding Education for All. A summary of the discussions at the Chief Ministers Conference in so far as they relate to Adult Education, is furnished below: There was complete unanimity at the Conference that EFA should be placed high in the country's development agenda. Welcoming the announcement of the Prime Minister to enhance the outlay on education to six per cent of the National income from Ninth Plan, the Chief Ministers agreed to supplement the efforts of the Central Government in the mobilization of resources and to accord higher priority to primary and adult education in State Plans. It was also agreed that along with higher allocation of resources it was necessary to ensure better utilization of resources through effective implementation and monitoring of programmes in their States. The Chief Ministers would periodically review the progress in this area so that the right signals are sent all over the State about the high priority attached to EFA and management of educational services and programmes more effectively. The need to enlist the cooperation of NGOs, teachers' unions and socially conscious individuals come out very clearly in the discussions, The shared perception was that without proper decentralisation of educational administration and greater community participation, universalisation of elementary education (UEE) cannot be achieved. The school should be an important social Organisation once again

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as it used to be. The Chief Ministers also agreed that special efforts would be made to promote convergence of primary education and related services like Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), ICDS, school health and nutrition, It was felt that apart from improving efficiency such a convergence would promote enrolment and reduction of drop outs. It was felt that specific efforts are needed in educationally backward States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The programmes in these States would be periodically reviewed by a group of Chief Ministers with a view to sustaining the tempo and achieving synergies in implementing the programmes in the related fields of education, health, women and child development and nutrition. Meeting of Chief Ministers of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on 1st July, 1994 at Bhopal.

9.3.0 As a follow-up of the Conference of Chief Ministers taken by the Prime Minister, a meeting of Chief Ministers of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh was held at Bhopal on 1st July, 1994 to discuss progress of Total Literacy Campaigns and Universalisation of Elementary Education under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Human Resource Development. The recommendations of the meeting of Chief Ministers, in so far as Adult Education is concerned, are as follows:

The four States will accord priority to primary education and Literacy Programmes. Expenditure cuts due to economy measures will not apply to these programmes. During the currency of the plan period efforts will be made to enhance allocations to 6 per cent of the gross national product for the promotion of education. For the implementation of Primary Education and the Literacy programmes by State Governments, services of talented and dedicated officers will be made available for a sufficient period. The District Collectors of TLC districts would not be disturbed during the implementation of the programme except extreme public exigency.

Total Literacy Campaigns

9.4.1 After successful conclusion of the Total Literacy Campaign (TLC) in district Ernakulam (Kerala) in January 1990, the TLC has become the principal strategy of the National Literacy Mission which has the objective of making 100 million citizens functionally literate in the preferred age-group of 9-35 by the end of the Eighth Five-Year Plan.

9.4. 2 The TLC is marked by certain positive characteristics that it is area- specific,time-bound, delivered through voluntarism, cost- effective and outcome-oriented. The campaigns are implemented by Zilla Saksharata Samities (ZSS) specially constituted under the District Collectors. The ZSS, with its membership drawn from all sections of the society, ensures its participative nature. Besides the task-specific sub-committees of the ZSS, popular committees are also constituted at all levels from the district down to the village panchayats, which are animated by the culture of equality.

9.4.3 The TLC presupposes the generation of a positive demand of the people for literacy through appropriate environment-building programmes. The initial effort at environment-building is closely followed by a door-to-door literacy survey during which potential learners and volunteers are identified. Suitable primers are developed through the State Resource Centres in accordance with the pedagogic technique of

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Improved Pace and Content of Learning. Primer-specific training is provided to the Resource Persons, Master Trainers and Volunteer Instructors. Two activities, namely, environment-building as well as monitoring and internal evaluation, are continued through the teaching/learning activity which accounts for a total of 200 hours spread over a period of 6 months. An external impact/summative evaluation is made at the conclusion of the teaching. Post Literacy Campaigns (PLC) are launched to mop up the left-over illiterates and to consolidate the gains of literacy acquired during TLC, and to enable the neo-literates to develop abilities for self-learning.

9.4.4 The literacy campaigns are implemented through direct funding to the ZSS by the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 2:1 (for normal districts) and 4:1 (for districts under Tribal-Sub Plan areas). Besides the funding arrangement, the active involvement of State Governments is ensured also through the identification of the District Collector with the ZSS. The enlarged role of the collectors has ensured their active leadership for the TLC. The TLCs, by and large, have enlisted the enthusiastic participation of all sections of the Society, especially the women, the weaker sections, etc.

9.4.5 Implementation of TLCs in various parts of the country has evoked an enthusiastic response from the weaker sections of the society, especially the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. On the question of continuation of the Total Literacy Campaign Scheme during 8th Five-Year Plan, the Cabinet has, inter alia, approved the following:

- Funding pattern for districts under Tribal Sub- Plan areas revised from the usual ratio of 2: 1 to 4: 1.

- Inclusion of children in 9-14 age-group for coverage under TLC. The children who are being covered under NFE Scheme would be excluded for coverage under TLC. Strategy for covering this age-group would now be an essential part of the TLC proposal, with separate primers for 9-14 age-group.

- Provision of extra funding for restoration of projects which do not do well in the first phase of implementation due to circumstances beyond the control of ZSS e.g. natural calamities, political upheavals, etc.

- Constitution of a Project Approval Committee of the Executive Committee of National Literacy Mission Authority, to enable speedy approval of the projects. In order to increase the participation of State Governments in the process of project formulation and approval, it has been decided to include the Education Secretary of the concerned State as Member of the Project Approval Committee of the NLMA.

9.4.6 So far 338 district TLCs and 130 district PLCs projects have been approved.

9.4.7 The details of the projects approved in the year 1993-94 are appended to this Chapter at Appendix A.

9.4.8 The focus of the Total Literacy Campaigns has now shifted to the Hindi speaking areas where bulk of the illiterate population resides. It is expected that in the remaining period of the Eighth Five-Year Plan, a continued input of TLC can cause a

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major dent in the problem of adult illiteracy. So far 93 districts under TLC and 13 districts under PLC have been sanctioned in the Hindi speaking States.

9.4.9 Since the implementation of TLC has been extended to more than half the districts in the country, it was felt necessary to improve the monitoring mechanism by more active involvement of the State Governments by setting up a system of quarterly monitoring at the State level, and to ensure political commitment for the literacy campaign.

Post Literacy and Continuing Education

9.5.1 The National Literacy Mission also lays special emphasis on post literacy and continuing education for the neo-literates of the adult education programme so that they could be prevented from relapsing into illiteracy. The scheme was launched in March, 1988 through establishment of Jana Shikshan Nilayams (JSNs) all over the country in a phased manner. The basic objective of the scheme is to provide opportunities of continuing education to neo-literates to facilitate retention of their literacy skills, enable the learners to continue their learning beyond elementary literacy and to create scope for application of their learning for improvement of their living conditions.

9.5.2 Since the launching of the Scheme, over 22,000 JSNs have been sanctioned in different States/UTs and of these, around 18,000 JSNs were operational during 1994-95. These JSNs essentially cater to neo-literates of Centre-based Adult Education programmes. Each JSN is expected to cover a cluster of 4 to 5 villages with a population of about 5,000. JSNs set up under the Scheme are designed to provide opportunities and facilities for reinforcement and upgradation of literacy skills.

9.5.3 The shift in the strategy of implementation of literacy programmes from the Centre-ased approach to mass campaign approach has necessitated suitable modifications in the strategy for Organisation of post literacy programmes. The conventional JSN approach is not suited to meet the post literacy needs of a very large number of neo- literates emerging from the Total Literacy Campaigns (TLCs). Currently, the post-literacy needs of neo-literates of LCs are being met by organising Post-literacy Campaigns (PLCs) as a follow-up phase of TLC. ore dynamic and institutionalised arrangements to cater to the continuing education needs of the neo-literates should be made. The Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) in its meeting held last year in August, 1993 recommended for an evaluation study of the Scheme by an external agency before any further expansion of the Scheme of JSNs during the 8th Five Year Plan. Accordingly, an evaluation study was assigned to a social research institute, which has submitted its report in October 94. The study has revealed that the Scheme on the whole has had a positive impact on the rural population. The study, however, points out certain significant deficiencies in implementation of the JSN Scheme and has recommended measures to improve its efficacy and reach. A brief summary of its findings and recommendations is appended to this Chapter at Appendix B. Accordingly, the existing Scheme of PL & CE is being reformulated and a revised Scheme is expected to be made operational by the beginning of the next financial year.

Voluntary Agencies

9.6.1 The Central Scheme of Assistance to Voluntary Agencies in Adult Education came into operation under the National Literacy Mission (NLM) in 1987-88.

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Initially, assistance was provided to Voluntary Agencies(VAs) for implementation of projects on the Centre based pattern. Subsequently the Scheme was revised.

9.6.2 Under the revised guidelines VAs are encouraged to take up area specific Total Literacy Campaign/Post Literacy Campaign (TLC/PLC) projects, establishment and running of Jana Shikshan Nilayams (JSNs), publication of books/periodicals, Organisation of workshops, seminars, conferences etc. evaluation of literacy projects and Resource Development programmes. The targeted learners are the adult learners in the age group of 15-35 years. The approach would be one of total voluntarism and preference would be given to VAs having a good track record in social service in general and adult education in particular.

9.6.3 The revised scheme provides for 100% grants for field projects, the Administrative Cost will be restricted to only 9% of the total cost of the project. The Scheme, which has so far been implemented centrally at the national level, would now be decentralised.

9.6.4 Under the revised Scheme, State Resource Centres have been accorded functional autonomy, funded on 100% basis and a number of new initiatives have been taken to strengthen SRCs, upgrade their capabilities and involve them more rigorously and intimately in the literacy efforts.

9.6.5 Setting up of four new State Resource Centres has been approved during 1994-95 to meet the growing demands of TLC/PLC projects.

9.6.6 146 TLC projects including 38 approved in 1994-95 have so far been sanctioned to 141 VAs for making a total of around 20 lakh persons literate. One project is being implemented in Andhra Pradesh, 8 in Assam, 23 in Bihar, 1 in Haryana, 7 in Madhya Pradesh, 1 in Manipur, 17 in Orissa, 3 in Punjab, 9 in Rajasthan, 13 in Tamilnadu, 59 in Uttar Pradesh, 1 in West Bengal and 3 in Delhi. The project periods of these projects range between one to three years. During the current financial year recurring grant for continuation of 16 JSN projects has been sanctioned to 14 VAs. Post Literacy Campaign (PLC) projects for providing post literacy services to the neo-literates of the TLC projects have been sanctioned to 28 VAs. A voluntary Organisation which was publishing a bimonthly magazine "Sabla" focussing on women's issues, was continued to be provided financial support during the year with an increased circulation of 16,000 copies per issue. Another VA has also been approved a project for publication of a magazine for neo-literates with focus on women's issues.

9.6.7 SRCs have also conducted writers work shops/seminars for mobilising participation in NLM activities. 7 District Resource Units which have been providing techno-pedagogic resource support to AE programmes have also remained in operation.

9.6.8 The list of VA's which have received grant amounting to Rupees one lakh and above during 1993-94 is enclosed at Annexure I of Grants to Voluntary Organisations part of the Annexures.

Rural Functional Literacy Project

9.7.0 Rural Functional Literacy Projects (RFLP) is one of the oldest Schemes initiated right with the launching of the National Adult Education Programme on 2nd

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October, 1978. It has been a centre based programme. On the basis of findings and recommendations of evaluation studies and internal assessment, the scheme of RFLP was re-organised and several structural changes were made. Following the success of Total Literacy Campaigns, the Centre based Programme has been closed down in almost all the States/UTs w.e.f. April, 1991. The Expenditure Finance Committee however, recommended the implementation of the re-vamped RFLP Scheme from 1994-95 in Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern States, border districts of Rajasthan and other difficult terrain, hilly areas and isolated pockets. There is a provision of Rs.6.00 crores for 1994-95 under the Scheme.

Directorate of Adult Education

9.8.1 The Directorate of Adult Education (DAE, a subordinate office of the Department of Education) continued to function as the National Resource Centre in the field of adult education and total literacy campaigns. The Directorate has 6 units with identified professional and administrative functions. The main activities included in the Action Plan of the Directorate during the year were as under:-

Preparation of Materials and Surveillance

9.8.2 The Directorate organised eleven meetings of the IPCL (Improved Pace and Content of Learning) Advisory Committee for review of the instructional materials, developed by the SRCs and TLC Districts. It laid down guidelines for preparation of materials for basic literacy and post-literacy programmes and organised training programmes for the field functionaries in the art of designing and handling the materials.