Background

Kota TLC was accorded approval in principle by NLM in Oct. 96, with a mobilization advance of Rs. 20 lakhs. They were advised to complete the preparatory activities including Survey, and the final sanction and release of regular funds were subject to a second appraisal by NLM. This second appraisal is in response to Kota TLC's request.

Field Visit and Impressions

Kota TLC was visited on July 24-25 and during the visit we had an initial meeting with the ZSS-Secretary, briefing us of the preparations undertaken since the Proposal was approved, as also the documents like photos, press clippings and all the literature pertaining to the EB, and other preparatory activities.

We attended the ZSS-Core Group meeting on July 25, with the Collector, where besides an overview of the preparations undertaken so far, the future plans were discussed.

The three-day training of KRPs in progress at the time, provided an opportunity to get an idea of the training curriculum and the background of the participants.

We participated in a school students Rally organised by the govt. and private schools of Kota City, Sector 7. Judged by the prominent role played by the Nagar Parishad Members, rallies like these seemed to be a joint endeavour of the schools and the Nagar Parishads. Easily there were 10 schools represented and over a thousand students.

We visited two villages, one - Kethune - unannounced and another - Dhakar Kheri - with a brief notice.

In Khethune, predominantly of Muslim community, we could observe the door to door Survey marks, and learn from people about the literacy meetings organised in that town. The visit to Girls Secondary School gave an opportunity to meet the teachers who, as in other areas, seem to be the main work force of TLC at the grassroots level.

Dhakar Kheri was even a more clear example of the school's organisational initiative. With less than 24 hours notice, the Middle School teachers and its Headmistress organised a fine cultural programme, the sloganeering by students, clearly indicating the tradition of schools' involvement in the EB. "Le Mashale Chal Pade" song being a part of Morning Prayer in every school and every Tuesday being observed as Literacy Day in all schools -- moves such as these are meant to integrate the literacy message into the schooling process.

Kota TLC: School Education-Panchayats Joint Enterprise

Kota TLC approach, as is evolving, looks to be one where the TLC leadership is shouldered basically by govt. functionaries on secondment basis, mainly from Education(AE, NFE and School Education) and the Panchayat representatives. The backing of the administration, other than the Collector, is not vigorous, as say in Districts where the Collector takes the frontal role, and runs the TLC on his own steam, pulling or bullying the administration into TLC.

This latter style of leadership has its advantages as well as limitations. The limitations are that without a standing order from the Collector, and fear of retribution, the BDOs and Tehsildars and their subordinates can starve the TLC of help in logistics, mobility, etc., so essential in rural areas. The advantage is that literacy campaigns, like Kota TLC, which depend less on govt. functionaries' support, based only on fear perception or time bound priority agenda, is not likely to wither away soon after the TLC period is over. But drawing on the basic support from Collector, and riding on the strength of the Panchayats and full time literacy workers, TLCs like Kota, are likely to survive the Collector instability factor. In fact, incorporating the Panchayats as the major stake holders of the literacy campaign offers an alternative to the Collector-centred model and is also likely to endure as the community's enterprise in the long run, if this model is carefully nurtured. Kota TLC has this ingredient, besides also enjoying the Collector's personal interest, which is also manifest in the priority for TLC in the administration. We find this approach healthy for TLC, except that during the TLC, and especially the T-L phase, the administration's enabling and facilitating role at the Block, Sector and Panchayat levels needs to be more.

Kota TLC is on Course

The preparatory phase planned for 9-10 months is proceeding as per schedule. Survey has been completed. Batching-Matching is also complete. Primers I & II have been prepared and obtained NLM IPCL Committee approval. Primer I has already been printed and its distribution plan has been drawn up. Other T-L materials are expected to be ready within 1 month. KRP-RP training was in progress during our visit and MT and VT trainings are slated in Aug. and the commencement of classes on Sep. 8.

The organisational structure is complete and functional at District, Panchayat Samiti and Sector and Gram Panchayat levels. There are three fulltimers at the District level and one each at the Panchayat Samiti and Sector levels. Two more Coordinators for each Panchayat Samiti are likely to be added in the next month and a half. The village level literacy committees do not seem as active as those at district and Panchayat Samiti levels, a task that needs to be taken on hand in the next month.

Assessment and Recommendation

Besides many other positive facets about Kota TLC, the change of the district Collector, often the most feared factor for the slide down in tempo and even reverses, has fortunately not happened here. On the contrary, the new Collector is one with all the experience of steering another TLC -- Jhunjhunu -- to successful conclusion and with distinction.

How much difference a handful of energetic, dedicated and competent literacy functionaries can make to a TLC can be seen in Kota. What ought to be the case of TLC leadership everywhere, but not all TLCs are blessed with a band of dedicated fulltimers, the one in Kota looks to be known for its reputation of transparency in dealings, commitment and dedication which explains the positive response they evoke among public, among the teachers and the Panchayat representatives. The non-bureaucratic style and transparent concern for the well being of the non-literates which, through the TLC, they seek to improve -- these explain the positive response from the non-literates. They have also, along with the Panchayats representatives reached out to areas and sections hitherto untouched - interior rural areas and urban slums. Drawn from administration and Education Department and known for their integrity and honesty, they are able to secure the cooperation of teachers and other govt. functionaries. This approach to building TLC leadership, known for its integrity, commitment, dynamism and reputation will serve the campaign well, and save it from scandals and needs to be preserved in future as well when inducting more people in the fully structure.

There is no limit to how well a TLC can be made a mass movement for literacy, awakening, empowerment and improvement of the non-literates. Much looks to be right about Kota TLC. Some suggestions were shared with the Collector and other key TLC functionaries - suggestions to increase the veracity and effectiveness of MIS, to keep regular contact with the VTs during the most trying time of T-L phase, creation of a Youth and Mahila Mandal in every village to give a definite shape and direction to build youth and women leadership, and the like. These suggestions were positively welcomed - a sign that Kota TLC may well become one worthy of notice.

There are TLCs which do not start the work even after the sanction but wait for the money to arrive. Kota TLC was approved in Oct. 96 and a token mobilization advance of Rs. 20 lakhs was given. Today, Kota TLC is just a month away before commencing the T-L phase, and the preparations are on as per the schedule. NLM, may, therefore accord the final sanction and release the regular funds.

Contact Info:

A. Mathew
NIAE