 ADULT EDUCATION

5.1 Analytical Review

5.1.1 The National Literacy Mission was launched on 5th May, 1988 with the objective of imparting functional literacy to 80.00 million adult illiterates in the age group 15-35 - 30 million by 1990 and 50 million by 1995.

5.1.2 Several important developments took place during the 7th Five Year Plan period, after the launching of National Literacy Mission (NLM). These are revision of almost all ongoing programmes in the field of adult education, institutionalisation of post literacy and continuing education, increasing involvement of student volunteers, involvement of a large number of voluntary agencies and other sections of the society, and a move towards a better management information system. Mass campaigns were launched in 20 blocks in West Bengal, 20 Talukas of Karnataka and through the Saksharta Abhiyan of the Gujarat Vidyapeeth. As against the target of imparting functional literacy to 30 million adult illiterates by 1990, the actual estimated achievement was, however, 15 million only. The shortfall was mainly on account of non-availability of funds for various schemes being implemented under the Mission.

5.1.3 During the last two years, the emphasis has been on adoption of area approach for total literacy continuous environment building and adoption of the technique of Improved Pace and Content of Learning (IPCL). With a view to ensuring

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that all the programmes in the field of adult education are planned and implemented during the 8th Five Year Plan keeping these three thrust areas in mind, following initiatives have been taken:

a) The scheme of RFLP has been reviewed and reorganised to provide for smaller size projects (each project to be of 100 centres only) for easy monitoring and effective supervision, and area approach for total literacy in a definite time frame. The revised scheme provides for financial assistance at the rate of Rs.5.61 lakhs for each project.

b) The scheme of assistance to voluntary agencies has also been revised to provide for area approach for total literacy with overriding preference for the volunteer-based approach with Rs. 65.00 as per learner cost which may go upto Rs. 100.00 in geographically difficult and inaccessible areas such as desert,forest and mountaineous regions.

c) Total literacy campaigns which are already on in 65 districts,have met with varying degrees of success. These campaigns are area specific, time bound, volunteer based, cost effective and result oriented, in sharp contrast with the traditional centre based programmes.

d) The Jathas organised by BGVS and the teams of Gandhian and Sarvodaya workers have produced a positive environment for literacy practically all over the country. The Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti organised 721 major jathas and 1562 minor jathas covering 313 districts in 22 states with a view to capturing the

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emotional backing of the people, of their political parties, of their cultural and other organisations in the cause of literacy. Similarly, the organisation of Gandhian and the Sarvodaya workers organised 5180 pedal jathas covering 140 districts in 5 states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya pradesh and Assam. These and other environment building activities have put literacy firmly on the agenda of the nation and created a people's machinery to respond to the demand for literacy so created. e) The students" involvement in the literacy campaigns has increased considerably and during the, year 1991-92 about 10.00 lakh students are expected to participate in one or the other activities relating to adult education. The Central Board of Secondary Education and the State Board of Secondary Education in the States of Orissa, Maharashtra and West Bengal have taken decisions to involve students in literacy campaigns as part of their work experience.

f) The National institute of Adult Education (NIAE) has been set up as a centre of research, human resource development, media and communication, library and documentation, etc. The NIAE, will work closely with NLM and will provide inputs to strengthen the literacy and adult education programmes in this country.

5.2 Situation at the Commencement of the 8th Plan

5.2.1 According to the 1990-91 census, the total illiterate population in the country (including J&K and Assam) is 336.00 million. Even though the break up of illiterate persons in the age group 15-35 is not yet available, it is estimated that the percentage of the illiterate persons in the

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age-group of 15-35 is roughly 1/3rd or 33% of the total illiterate population. Thus, the estimated number of illiterate population in the age-group 15-35 works out to 112 million. It is further estimated that about 8 million persons in this age-group would have become literate by the end of current financial year through the total literacy campaigns which are already on in different states. Thus, the number of illiterate persons in the age-group 15-35 at the beginning of VIII Five Year Plan is estimated to be 104 million. Out of this number about 80 million are estimated to be in 265 districts in the states of Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu where the total literacy campaigns have not so far been taken up.

5.3 8th Plan Strategy

5.3.1 During the VIII Five Year Plan, the main strategy would be on adoption of area approach in all programmes of adult education. In addition to about 80 districts which would be covered by total literacy campaigns by the end of 1991-92, total literacy campaigns would be taken up in 265 additional districts with the objective of achieving total literacy (over 80%) in 75% districts in the country i.e. 345 districts. It is hoped that it would be possible to make 80.00 million persons literate during the 8th Five Year Plan period through the total literacy campaigns. The remaining 24.00 million persons would be covered through the centre-based and volunteer-based programmes to be taken up under the revised schemes of RFLP and

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SAEP, Nehru Yuvak Kendras, the scheme of assistance to voluntary agencies and Mass Programme of Functional Literacy. The planning for coverage of illiterate persons through the total literacy campaigns and other programmes will undergo slight change if ultimately it is found that the actual number of illiterates as on 1/4/91 is more than 112 million. Simultaneously, the literacy rate among persons below 15 years of age is expected to go up considerably because of efforts which would be made under the programmes of universalisation of primary education and non-formal education. The ultimate objective is that at the close of the VII1 Five Year Plan, the overall literacy rate in the country should be around 70%, a level necessary for fast achieving the total literacy in the subsequent 2-3 years.

5.4 Scheme-wise Details

5.4.1 The following on-going schemes/programmes would be implemented to achieve the target of imparting functional literacy to 100.00 million illiterate adults in the age-group 15-35 during the 8th Five Year Plan:

(i) National Literacy Mission Authority :

After the launching of the NLM on 5th May, 1988 the National Literacy Mission Authority was constituted in June, 1988 as an independent and autonomous wing of the Department of Education. The NLM has a Council with the Minister of Human Resource Development as its Chairman and an Executive committee with the Education Secretary. Whereas the Council lays down the broad policy, the Executive

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Committee carries out all the functions of the Authority in accordance with the policy laid down by the Council. Whereas the Council has met five times, the Executive Committee, in its 30 meetings held so far, has taken important decisions like introductions of IPCL, approval of total literacy campaigns, strategy for post literacy in campaign districts, revision of the centre based programme etc. The requirement of funds for this scheme during the 8th Five Year Plan is of the order of Rs.2.50 crores.

(ii) Total Literacy Campaign:

After the success achieved in Ernakulam district and the entire State of Kerala which have become fully literate, the concept of total literacy in selected areas such as blocks, talukas, districts has since gained wide acceptance. The TLC constitutes the most dominant strategy in NLM today. The approach now is to take up a programme in an entire district with the objective of totally eradicating illiteracy within one or two years. This programme is usually implemented by the Zilla Sakshartha Samitis which are registered under the Society's Registration Act specifically for the purpose of providing leadership and direction to the Total Literacy Campaign with the district Collector as its chairman. So far Total Literacy Campaigns have been launched/are being launched in 65 districts/areas of the country. It is expected that by the end of 8th Five Year Plan about 265 additional districts would have taken up Total Literacy Campaigns, taking the total number of districts to be covered by the TLCs, to 345 i.e. about 75% of the total number of districts in the country. These literacy campaigns are area specific, time bound, purely

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volunteer-based, cost-effective and outcome-oriented. Even though emphasis in the compaigns is on achievement of literacy and minimum pre-determined levels of numeracy, other activities taken up through these campaigns include campaigns for universal enrolment and retention of children in schools non-formal education for illiterates in the age-group 9-14, immunisation, conservation of environment, small family norms etc. Whereas the size of each total literacy campaign varies from state to state and district to district depending on the availability of illiterates, the overall coverage in each TLC works out to 3.6 lakh illiterate persons in the age group of 15-35. Calculated at the rate of Rs.74.00 per learner the average of a TLC works out to Rs. 2.60 crores (approximately) to be shared by the Central and the State Governments in the ratio of 2:1. Each Total Literacy Campaign will be followed by a post-literacy campaign which will continue during each year of the 8th Five Year Plan after the conclusion of the Total Literacy Campaign. The expenditure on each neo-literate to be covered in the post literacy campaign is roughly half of the per learner cost under the total literacy campaign. The number of Total Literacy Campaigns and post literacy campaigns to be implemented during each year of the 8th Five Year Plan is expected to be as under:-

        
        Year                No. of TLCs         No. of Post-Literacy Campaigns
        
        1992-93                  50                            50
        
        1993-94                  50                           110
        
        1994-95                  55                           170
        
        1995-96                  60                           230

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        1996-97                  50                           295

About 80.00 million illiterate adults are expected to be made literate through the total literacy campaigns. The requirement of funds in the central sector for meeting expenditure on the total literacy campaigns and Post Literacy Campaigns are estimated to be of the order of Rs.1200.34 crores.

(iii) Post-Literacy & Continuing Education:

This is a centrally sponsored scheme under which 100% financial assistance is given to State Governments for setting up Jana Shikshan Nilayams which provide an institutional framework for post literacy and continuing education for the neo-literates. Each JSN is set up for a cluster of 4-5 villages. Besides about 21000 JSNs already sanctioned, it is proposed to sanction 20000 JSNs to cover areas which are not covered by the total literacy campaigns, during the 8th Five Year Plan. In view of the increasing cost of goods and services, it is becoming difficult to procure the minimum essential items required for setting up of a JSN. It is, therefore, proposed that financial pattern for sanctioning and operationlisation of a JSN may be revised upward from Rs.14000/- (Rs.7000 nonrecurring and Rs.7000/- recurring) per annum at present to Rs.20000/- (Rs.10000/- non-recurring and Rs.10000/- for recurring) per annum, from 1992-93. The requirement of funds for meeting the recurring expenditure on the already operational JSNs and the recurring and the non-recurring cost on the additional 20000 JSNs to be set up during the 8th Five Year Plan is estimated to be of the order of Rs.185.00 crores.

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(iv) Mass Programme of Functional Literacy:

The objective of the scheme is to involve all sections of the society, educational institutions, teachers, students, non-student youths, house-wives, etc. in literacy activities so as to make the National Literacy Mission a societal mission. It is a totally volunteer-based programme in which no payment of any sort is made. Each volunteer may teach one or more persons. The Central Board of Secondary Education and some of the State Boards of Education have already taken decisions to involve school students in NLM as part of work experience, and other States/UTs are expected to follow suit soon. A medi advertisement campaign being regularly telecast on the TV has also been instrumental in evoking lot of positive response from the students community to volunteer their services for the Mission. It is hoped that participation of school students, both in the total literacy campaigns and even otherwise is expected to increase consideraly. This Department provides the literacy kits free of cost. The training of the master trainers is imparted by State Resource Centres also free of cost. Grants are released to the State Resource Centres for printing and distribution of literacy kits. Most of the students will participate in literacy activities through the total literacy campaigns. The number of persons expected to be made literate with involvement of students and other volunteers in areas not covered by the total literacy campaigns is expected to be 2.00 million or so. The requirement of funds for this scheme during the 8th Five Year Plan are estimated to be of the order of Rs. 12.00 crores.

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(v) Nehru Yuvak Kendras:

The Nehru Yuvak Kendras which are a grassroot level organisation engaged in harnessing the energies of the youths of the rural areas are also being mobilised for taking up the literacy programme. Assistance is provided on an 100% basis to the NYKs for taking up area specific projects. At present such projects have been taken up in the States of Bihar Orissa, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. More areas are likely to be covered by the NYKs during the 8th Five Year Plan. About 2.00 million persons in the age-group of 15-35 are expected to be made literate through the programme to be taken up by Nehru Yuvak Kendras during the 8th Five Year Plan. The requirement of funds during the 8th Five Year Plan for this purpose would be of the order of Rs.18.00 crores.

(vi) Technology Demonstration :

The National Literacy Mission being a technology mission, emphasis is being given in using the findings of scientific and technological research to improve the pace and quality of the programme. Under the scheme 42 districts were identified for the purpose of using the various Techno Pedagogic Inputs (TPI). Some of the TPIs which have so far been developed are solar power packs, chargeable power packs, plastic slates, improved chalks etc. Whereas some of these TPIs have been field tested, a few are in the process of being tested. The total requirement of funds for this programme during the 8th Five Year Plan is estimated of the order of Rs.10.00 crores.

(vii) Rural Functional Literacy Project :

This is a centrally sponsored scheme under which 100% financial assistance is

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released to various State Governments/UT Administrations for undertaking projects in a compact and contiguous areas. Earlier 513 projects of the size 300/200/100 centres were being implemented. The scheme has now undergone a revision to make a project more manageable by reducing its size to a maximum of 100 centres only. The revised scheme also incorporates the concept of area approach, improved pace and content of learning and is outcome-oriented and cost effective. The revised guidelines have since been issued to all States/UTs. Under the revised guidelines, the centre based and honorarium oriented Projects would be slowly phased out, in all those districts where the total literacy campaigns are being taken up and finally by the end of' the 8th Five Year Plan these projects may be operational only in hilly and desert areas and other difficult terrains etc. About 10.00 million persons are expected to be made literate through the revised centre-based programme under RFLP. The requirement of funds during the 8th Five Year Plan for this scheme would be Rs.1.00.98 crores.

(viii) Shramik Vidyapeeths (SVPs) :

This is a central scheme for imparting vocational skill to the workers and their dependents living in urban slums. There are at present 36 Shramik Vidyapeethas of which 25 are operational under the aegis of voluntary agencies and the remaining are under universities and state governments. These SVPs are being encouraged to take up literacy activities in compact areas. About 20 more SVPs are proposed to be opened during the 8th Five Year Plan. The requirement of funds for meeting the expenditure on the existing

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SVPs and the SVPs to be opened during the 8th Five Year Plan is of the order of Rs.12.50 crores.

(ix) Voluntary Agencies :

This is a central scheme under which financial assistance is released to registered voluntary societies for taking up field projects, production of teaching/learning material, conducting workshops/seminars etc. Over 646 voluntary agencies have been provided assistance since the launching of National Literacy Mission. The scheme has been revised to make it more flexible and area specific, to following the concept of improved pace and content of learning (IPCL) etc. The revised guidelines of the scheme have been issued to all voluntary agencies and the State Governments. It is hoped that a good number of voluntary agencies will come forward to take literacy activities following the area approach. The voluntary agencies are also expected to take up activities like environment building, designing materials for the neo-literates, conducting post-literacy and continuing education activities, taking up other innovative programmes etc. The State Resource Centres which are functioning as voluntary agencies since seventies and are providing academic and technical resource support to the programme and also funded from out of the provision available under the scheme. In view of their increased responsibilities following launching of total literacy campaigns in different parts of the country, these State Resource Centres will have to be strengthened and necessary steps have been taken in that direction. It is hoped that the voluntary agencies will come forwared in a large number to take up literacy programmes under