 ADULT EDUCATION

1. Special Projects for Eradication of Illiteracy

The Total Literacy Campaign (TLC) has been accepted as the principal strategy of the National Literacy Mission. NLM has the objective of making 100 million persons functionally literate in the age- group of 15-35 by the end of the VIIIth Five-Year Plan. In addition to the age- group of 15-35 years, children in the 9-14 age- group are also covered wherever Non-Formal Education Scheme is not operational or its coverage is inadequate, In the, Common Minimum Programme Approach, this target has been extended to the end of Year 1998-99.

The literacy campaigns under the Scheme are area specific, time- bound, delivered through voluntarism, cost-effective & outcome- oriented, and are implemented by Zilla Saksharata Samitis (ZSS) usually headed by District Collectors. After completion of the TLC, post literacy campaign (PLC) is 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. The literacy campaigns are implemented through direct funding to the ZSS by the Central and State Governments.

As of date, 410 districts have been covered under TLCs and 169 districts tinder PLCs, Since the launching of the campaigns, 80 million persons are reported to have been enrolled under TLCs out. of which 37.31 million persons have been made literate. The enrolment under PLCs is 18.44 million, of whom 10.22 million neo-literates are participating under PL phase,

During the 9th plan, it is proposed to cover remaining districts under the campaigns (approximately 125 districts under TLC and 300 districts under PLCs), The number of districts proposed to be covered during 1997-98 is 20 under TLCs and 80 under PLCs.

The total outlay proposed for the 9th Plan (1997-2002) is Rs. 1300.00 crores. The outlay proposed for the annual plan 1997-98 is Rs. 195.00 crores.

2.Assistance to Voluntary Agencies

The scheme of Assistance to Voluntary Agencies in the field of adult Education was designed and started in the First Five Year Plan and was continued with expanded scope in the subsequent plans. The main objective of the scheme is to secure extensive involvement of Voluntary Agencies in NLM. The activities for which grants are admissible to the voluntary agencies under this scheme include the responsibility for eradication of illiteracy in well-defined areas and running of post Literacy and Continuing Education programme of Vocational and Technical education, undertaking resource development activities, organising innovative, experimental and action research oriented programmes, conducting evaluation Studies, organising symposia and conferences and publication of books etc.

An outlay of Rs.40.00 crores is proposed for the Annual Plan 1997-98 and Rs. 200.00 crores for the 9th Plan.

3. Directorate of Adult Education (DAE)

Directorate of Adult Education (DAE) is a subordinate office of the Department of Education. It extends resource support in the field of training, basic/post-literacy materials, media, monitoring and evaluation etc.

An outlay of Rs.21.00 crores is being proposed for the Annual Plan 1997-98 and Rs. 125.00 crores for the 9th Plan.

4. Shramik Vidyapeeth

Shramik Vidyapeeth (SVP) is a programme of non- formal education of Workers. The Scheme symbolises the growing awareness of the need for educational, vocational and occupational growth of workers, and where possible his family, employed in various sectors, industries, business concerns, mines, plantations, manufacturing and servicing units and other organised and unorganised sectors in urban., semi- urban, plantation, mines and industrial areas.

The Scheme has been in operation since 1987. At present 53 SVPs are being run by State Government/ University/ Voluntary Agency/ Central Government in different parts of the country. 5 more new SVPs are proposed to be set up during 1996-97.

During the Ninth Plan period it is proposed to strengthen the Shramik Vidyapeeths by providing additional financial assistance. It is also proposed to expand the scheme @20 new Shramik Vidyapeeths per annum. It is also proposed to sanction building grant to the Shramik Vidyapeeths for office purposes as well as hostel accommodation to the learners.

An outlay of Rs. 180.00 crores is proposed for the 9the Plan and Rs.20.00 crores for the Annual Plan 1997-98.

5. Strengthening of Administrative Structure

The scheme of Strengthening of Administrative structure in the states/UTs is intended to create necessary supportive administrative structure at the states/ UTs and district levels for implementation of adult education programmes.

Year of starting of the scheme is 1978-79. The central grant is meant, to cover the entire expenditure on the emoluments of the sanctioned staff

The Annual Plan (1997-98), are outlay of Rs.30.00 Crores and for the Ninth Plan a provision of Rs. 140.00 Crores being proposed.

6.Rural Functional Literacy Project

The centre based programme or adult education, namely, Educational Literacy project was frozen w.e.f 1.4.91. TLCs were decided to be taken up in more and more districts since it provided a more cost effective and time bound strategy for eradication of illiteracy. However, a revised scheme of SRFLP was cleared for implementation during the 8th Plan in the States of J&K, Sikkim, North eastern States, border districts of Rajasthan and Dadra & Nagar Haveli which have difficult terrain that hinder communication and mobility.

An outlay of Rs.5.00 crores for the 9th Plan and Rs. 1.00 crore for the Annual Plan (1997-98) are being proposed.

7. Scheme of Continuing Education for Neo-literates

The Government of India have approved launching of Scheme of Continuing Education for neo-literates in December, 1995 to replace the earlier Scheme of Post Literacy and Continuing Education (PL&CE) which was initially launched in March, 1988 as a follow up programme of the then centre based basic literacy

programme under Rural Functional Literacy Programme (RFLP). Jan Shikshan Nilayams (Peoples' learning centres) were the principal instrumentality of implementation of post Literacy and Continuing Education Programmes.

With the launching of Total Literacy Campaigns (TLCs) Post Literacy Campaigns (PLCs) it was decided by the Govt. to get the working of scheme of PL &CE comprehensively reviewed before its further expansion during the 8th Five Year Plan. An evaluation study of the Scheme, was therefore, made through a Social Research Institute.

In the light of major findings and recommendations made in the evaluation study report and recommendations of the Expert Group and having regard to the emerging literacy scenario, it was found necessary to overhaul the Scheme of PL&CE and to formulate a new Scheme of Continuing Education for neo-literates under the NLM.

The Scheme of Continuing Education for neo-literates is designed to cater to the continuing education needs of millions of neo- literates emerging from successful completion of literacy.

Campaigns in several districts all over ever the country. This scheme aims to provide an institutionalised mechanism of continuing education through Continuing Education Centres (CECs) to enable the neo-literates to retain, improve and apply their basic knowledge and skills for satisfaction of their needs and to facilitate continued learning through a self directed process for improvement of the quality of their lives.

Under the Scheme the main thrust is given to setting up of Continuing Education Centres (CECs) to serve as Library, Reading Room, Learning Centre, Training Centre, Information Centre Charcha mandal, Developmental Centre, Cultural Centre, Sports Centre and other individual interest promotion programmes centre. CECs are set up in a cluster of 8 to 10 with one of them being designated as nodal CEC. Ideally there is one CEC for one village to serve a population of 1500 to 2000 which includes 500 neo-literates or other targeted beneficiaries like the dropouts of primary school. Besides CECs there is a provision of implementing

some target specific programmes also like Equivalency Programme through Study Centres, Quality of Life Improvement Programmes and Income Generating Programmes through Skill development/upgradation centres.

An outlay of Rs. 1638.10 crores for the 9th Plan and Rs. 181.02 crores for the Annual Plan (1997-98) are being proposed.

8. Technology Demonstration

The scheme was launched under the National Literacy Mission with the objective of harnessing the findings of scientific and technological research for improving the pace and quality of the Adult Education Programme. In the initial years the main emphasis was on improving the lighting systems in the adult education centres and for producing improved teaching learning material. The two main projects under the scheme have been the installation of 1.200 solar power packs by the Central Electronics Research Institute, Delhi Centre, CSIR Complex, New Delhi Another project"Vivek Darpan" was also taken with the collaboration of Department of Electronics for, using the Sanghamitra Systems in the literacy programmes.

During the 9th Plan it is proposed to use solar photo voltaic panels in the Continuing Education Centres under Continuing Education Programme for neo-literates. For this purpose a budget provision of Rs. 5.00 crores is suggested during the 9th Plan and Rs. 1.00 crores for the Annual Plan (1997-98).

9.Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)

The basic objective of the scheme is to study the adult education programmes being implemented in various countries through exchange of delegation and materials. The nodal department for CEPs is Department of Centre Adult Literacy is also invariably incorporated as one of the items under the Education Sector in the CEP. A budget provision of Rs. 1.00 crores is proposed for 9th Plan and Rs. 0.25 crores for the Annual Plan (1997-98).

10. National Literacy Mission Authority (NLMA)

The National Literacy Mission Authority was constituted in May 1988 as an independent autonomous wing of the Department of Education. The NLMA

functions as the secretariat of the National Literacy Mission and the outlay under the scheme is meant to meet the expenses to officials and non-officials attending various meetings, organising workshops, literacy dialogues and the finding of studies, research reports in literacy programmes and other expenditure incurred on the programme.

Under the 9th Plan it is proposed that the expenditure on foreign travel of officials/experts in the field of adult education, as and when the delegations are sent abroad for various study tours/conferences/workshops/meetings etc.

An outlay of Rs. 10.00 crores for the 9th Plan and Rs. 2.60 crores for the Annual Plan (1997-98) are being proposed.

11. National Institute of Adult Education (NIAE)

The National Institute of Adult Education (NIAE) was set up in 1991 with the main responsibility of taking up research work as well as specialised programmes of Human Resource development in the field of adult education.

An outlay of Rs.50.00 crores for the 9th plan and Rs.8.00 crores for Annual Plan (1997-98) are being proposed.

New Schemes

12. Literacy Promotion Through Institutions of Higher Education

Under the scheme of Literacy Promotion through Institutions of Higher Education, the universities and other institutions of higher education are proposed to be involved in the implementation of TLC, PLC and Continuing Education Programme. Some of the areas where these institutions would be involved are:-

(a) The number of short term courses are proposed to be organised for the benefit of resource persons, Master Trainers and Volunteer Teachers. The universities could also undertake preparation of resource material for such training programme in regional languages, Courses, in basic science, humanities and technology meant for expanding the horizon of the knowledge of resource persons, master trainers, volunteer instructors would be planned.

(b) The universities and other institutions of higher learning would provide expertise and resource support to formulate appropriate courses and course material for a variety of short term courses for the neo-literates for the scheme of continuing education. For the purpose 20-25 resource support units for continuing education are proposed to be established during Ninth Plan Period.

(c) The universities and other institutions would be persuaded to take up evaluation, research and documentation relating to teaching and learning methodology, learning needs, impact. of literacy during the Ninth Plan Period.

(d) A large number of universities and college teachers and other staff members would be encouraged to participate, on secondment basis in the literacy campaigns and for continuing education.

(e) These institutions would also participate in environment building and running of continuing education centres, depending upon their capabilities. The proposed budget for Scheme is Rs. 5 crores for the Ninth Plan

13. Literacy Activist Exchange Programme

Under the Literacy Activist Exchange Programme, the following types of exchange visits of literacy activists and neo- literates are proposed :-

(a) Visit by district core groups of fresh districts to two or three successful TL/PL and CE districts.

(b) Exchange of visits between Master Trainers and Volunteers Teachers of Two TLCs.

(d) Motivational trips by successful neo-literates to new districts in different States.

The proposed budget for Scheme is Rs.5 crores for the Ninth Plan and Rs. 1,00 crore each year for Annual Plan 1997-98.