 ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

University of Calcutta, Calcutta (Seminar held on 19th and 20th September; 1990)

- Purpose of adult education should be broad enough to cover different aspects of adult needs. The importance of literacy In one's life can not be under-rated. Every effort should, therefore, be made to bring down the rate of illiteracy which includes universalisation of elementary education, campaign for eradication of illiteracy including adult literacy programme and provision of continuing education facilities.

Gandhi Peace Foundation, 221-23 Dean Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi- 110002 (Consultation held on 13th and 14th October, 1990)

- It is not necessary to link the ideal of universalisation of primary education with dilution of literacy campaign, because the experiences of the past four decades tell us that the goal of universalisation of primary education within next half a decade is much too high an ideal. It would be a grave mistake to sacrifice our existing literacy campaign at the alter of a non-existing reality - a dream.

Prof. Ramlal Parikh, Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad- 380014 (19 November, 1990)

- Literacy is the basic minimum need of all. Therefore, eradication of illiteracy should be of paramount importance in education planning. While there is a great scope for improving the content

and methodology of the present literacy campaigns, it must be remembered that adult literacy and adult education are not alternatives; they are two stages in education. Literacy is the first stage, an entry-point and a tool for acquiring information. Only when adults become literate will they encourage their children to go to schools. Therefore, through a nation-wide door-to-door mass campaign, literacy should be spread.

Prof. Khetramohan Satpathy, Article in the 'Samaj' (Oriya Daily) dated 4th November, 1990

- Adult literacy and adult education should be considered separately as both have different objectives.

Shri V. Paramasivan, Article in 'The Hindu', New Delhi dated 11th September, 1990

- Adult literacy programmes adopted so far have not shown enough practicality and imagination in tackling the problem. A lesson can be drawn from other advanced nations who use their educated youth in nation building programmes. Many nations have the "conscription" programme when students at the end of their high school or college education compulsorily work in the national defence forces for one and a half to two years. In some countries there is an option for the youth to work in civil social service programmes. In India an Adult Literacy Brigade may be organised wherein the educated youth after plus two level or college studies should compulsorily work in an adult literacy programme. This will also instill in the educated youth a sense of discipline and patriotism.

Ms. Usha Rai, Article in 'The Times of India', New Delhi dated 23rd September, 1990

- A lacuna in the Paper is the insufficient stress on adult literacy, without which there can be no social transformation. Without adult literacy the rural people will not be able to fight for their rights.

- The removal of illiteracy should be given more importance. Literacy should be at centre stage.

Dr. Gauri Shankar, Gandhian Institute of Studies, Rajghat, Varanasi, (23 November, 1990).

- The present adult education programmes have been failures.

Shri Hans Raj Gugnani, Chief Consultant, Educational Consultants Consortium, CF 4, Sena Industrial Estate 389, G.T. Karnal Road, Delhi- 110033 (24.11.1990)

- Fifty percent of the world's illiterates are in India, yet the paper sidelines the issue of adult literacy. Adult education and literacy should be combined into an integrated whole. The objectives of adult education should be the overall social cultural and economic growth of the adult learner. It should also be linked with "Right to work".