EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
 

EXTENSION OF ACTIVITIES

Another important area of the department's activities emerges from it's role as a National Resource Centre for NFE. In order to provide a forum for sharing of experiences among States and Voluntary Organisations on crucial issues related to NFE Programme implementation the department holds a National Conference in NFE each year. It is a forum in which the policy makers, and practitioners identify the status of NFE in various States and Voluntary Organisations. The delegates reflect on the newer developments and strategies evolved in different organisations. There are also open dialogues with regard to the gap areas that would need special attention.

Every year some contextual emerging themes are specified for the Annual Conference. The related issues are critically examined. The recommendations provide useful feed-back to the MHRD and Planning Commission which have significant bearing for policy formulation.

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLING

DPEP interventions have enhanced the role of NFE for providing alternative educational strategies through NFE programmes. In this context, the department organised, in collaboration with MHRD, a National Workshop on the issues pertaining to Alternative Schooling strategies at the Primary level. The deliberations of the National Workshop facilitated in identifying some of the alternative strategies for providing educational facilities to various learner groups.

The National level Conferences and National Workshops have served as useful forums for generating new ideas and critically examining the crucial issues related to education of non-enrolled and drop-out children faced by different States and UTs. These also helped the MHRD in reviewing and renewing the NFE scheme in response to the changing situations.

The department is currently planning activities for equipping the States and Voluntary Agencies with essential knowledge and skill for their special roles in the context of developing alternative models at the Primary stage in the context of preparation for IXth Five Year Plan activities.

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