National Literacy Mission is a social mission ,which aims at improving the living and working condition of the people. On evaluation of the literacy programme, at national level, the need has emerged to strengthen post literacy and continuing education , so that neo-literates are not relapse to the stage of illiteracy again. In the sphere of literacy, the percentage of drop outs increases when literacy programmes are not development oriented. Therefore, now the emphasis is being laid on making National Literacy Mission a peoples programme. Considering the importance and necessity of the programmes for neo-literates, provisions had been made to open institutions like Jan Shikshan Nilayam (JSN) to provide facilities of life long eduction and vocational training.

To such people who are neo-literates or dropouts special study material on functional literacy and equivalency programmes shall be designed and made available. The subject matter of post literacy and continuing education should be oriented towards meeting the interests and educational needs of the particular group. For this purpose vocational education must form the main subject-matter. Provisions shall be made for mobile library services and reading rooms under post literacy programme. The studies have confirmed the fact that libraries play a significant role in mass literacy programme, not only in India but also in countries like Tanzania and Nigiria. Libraries are not essential for neo-literates too. In the sphere of adult education the rural mobile libraries have already started reaching neo-literates at their door steps. Therefore, the role of such libraries can be considered as that of an extension educator, who also provides healthy entertainment to the specific participants. The Mobile Libraries have contributed in bringing out positive change in the attitudes of adult learners, towards educational and developmental processes.

Village libraries can be used for presenting and discussing the success stories of the participants and they can play an important role in creating positive atmosphere for development. Book exhibitions if organised in fairs and social gatherings, can highlight the role of adult education in making the life better by uplifting their socio economic status. Libraries can also become medium of character building. To achieve this goal, special study material relating to various aspects of life, while considering the reading interests of the neo-literates should be made available at district, block and village level and also in urban slum areas. The film shows and slide shows can also be arranged to stress upon the need for continuing education.

The workers of adult education , must be trained in making effective use of mobile libraries. For this purpose training camps can be organised. Library workers should be trained to attract the adults towards the libraries, because it is an art to select and prepare appropriate study material for neo-literates, as also to create interest among the participants. To make effective use of mobile libraries, important news and articles can be read out and the topics can be discussed in detail to satisfy the queries of the beneficiaries. This will help in sustaining their interests. The libraries can also be a centre of other developmental activities. For this purpose librarians and instructors should be trained in the concept of adult and non-formal education.

The library workers should be fully aware of the social and economic conditions of the country and about the importance of the literacy programme for all round development. Reading material for such mobile libraries can also be obtained through different welfare departments. Thus the Mobile/field libraries can provide interesting reading material to the participants, while taking their reading interest into account. They also can motivate learners. These libraries can also serve as a platform for publicising the adult literacy programme and to organise functional literacy and other developmental activities. The adult education centres and libraries shall be situated at one place and for this purpose the libraries should be made attractive, interesting and easily accessible to the readers. Libraries can also play an important role in successful implementation of social welfare programmes, where people can assemble to discuss their problems and find out a solution.

The experiences of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited colony where mobile library services are provided and Juggaur village of Chinhat block, where library services could not be provided, show that the literacy progress and general awareness level of women participants of H.A.L was better and the percentage of dropouts was also low. The beneficiaries of H.A.L. campus who completed literacy and post literacy programmes, also appeared in the VIII standard examination of U.P. Board and succeed in good division, but in Juggaur village where library services presently are not provided, the percentage of dropouts was higher and none of the participants opted for equivalency courses. In the present paper, an effort has been made to assess the role of mobile libraries in increasing the interest of neo-literates, for continuing education and equivalency programmes and also about increasing their general awareness.

In Hindustan Aeronautics Limited campus alongwith other material the story "Sab Se Bara dhan" and SVP News letter "Shram Chintan" was distributed to beneficiaries and the themes of the story and news letter were discussed by the Programme Officer and Instructors in the class room. All the beneficiaries appreciated it. Out of 20 participants 2 informed that they had undergone with the same circumstances and after going through the story "SABSE BADA SUKH" they decided to fight for success in adverse circumstances.

Shramik Vidyapeeth, Lucknow started its literacy campaign in HAL campus from the year 1994-95 and achieved total literacy in 1997. During the literacy drive for 3 years, 6 centres of Functional Literacy, 6 centres of Post Literacy and also the Continuing Education programme was launched from 1995. Since then adult women and young girls have been appearing as private candidates in the U.P. Board's examination of VIIIth standard. The results were cent percent, while 34 participants secured Ist class. Short Interviews with 3 of the female participants who succeeded in VIIth class examination under continuing education programmes reveal that the mobile library services of SVP, Lucknow have helped them a lot in improving their reading writing skills. Besides improving their literacy skills books also provided them healthy recreation and an awareness about world around. These women participants preferred short stories and magazines related to Home Science, family welfare, child care and also fairy tales. These books also helped in increasing their general knowledge but the house-wives were not ready to spend much on buying story books and depended on SVP mobile library services only to satisfy their reading needs, the questions asked were very simple like who is Presidents of India? your ideal lady? What time they devote to book reading? does it improve their literacy skills and how they can use their newly acquired literacy in life? If they are educating their girl child or will they prefer an educated daughter in law? The reply of 3 of the participants is given below :

1. Participant Smt. Nirmala Devi :

Her husband is working in HAL. She achieved literacy through Functional Literacy programme run by Shramik Vidyapeeth. She was provided mobile library services under continuing education programme. To assess the impact of literacy and its impact on her general knowledge and awareness level, when asked, "Who is our President", she answered correctly and mentioned the name of Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma, (who was the President of India at that time ). Similarly she answered correctly about the cause of spread of cholera. On importance of education she replied that this enables the women to stand on their own and to avail economic benefits. Why she would prefer a literate daughter-in-law, she replied that an educated girl is intelligent and amiable. She wrote 8 lines on Mrs.Indira Gandhi as her ideal women. In 50 words dictation, she committed 5 mistakes. About effective use of library, she answered the question by saying that she would likes to read the books, related to general education besides giving information on house-keeping and family matters. Such books, she said are available in the Mobile Library of Shramik Vidyapeeth, she also obtains the women magazines from others in exchange. She devotes her evening time on reading book and like to read such books which she could complete without spending much time. She does not spend money in purchase of books. Smt. Nirmala Devi, informed that after becoming literate she continued to read books available in Mobile Library. She read 12 story books, as also some magazines, out of which she remembers some stories, which have specially impressed her. For instance "Namrata", "Doctor Didi" and the stories of children. Smt.Nirmala Devi was of the opinion that because she continued reading books, so there was a marked improvement in her speed of reading and also in general awareness. For this reason, she favours reading of books. About the importance of books, she said books provide knowledge on different subjects. They are the source of entertainment and proper use of time. She said that one could increase the speed of reading and writing only by practice.

The stories, which she liked were "EK THI RANI ,"EK THA DEEPAK". These stories stress on providing human services to the orphans. The story "Namrata" impressed her because it louds the importance of one marriage and single wife. When asked about the type of books she would like to read, she preferred books related to home science, women's interests magazines and short dramas etc. When asked about her opinion about the library being run by Shramik Vidyapeeth, Lucknow, she said so many book at free of cost can not be available anywhere else.

2. Participant Smt. Sonapati :

Her husband is working in H.A.L she is about 40 years old. After achieving literacy through Shramik Vidyapeeth, Lucknow, she continued her education through continuing education programme and Library of Shramik Vidyapeeth. On being examined like Smt. Nirmala Devi about her level of general knowledge, she also answered correctly the name of Dr.Shaker Dayal Sharma as President of India. According to her women's education is necessary because it enables them to work and progress in every walk of life. She was not much aware of the women's legal rights but she was in favour of their freedom and right to education. Answering the questions put up to test her awareness, she said that cholera spreads due to insanitation and that an educated daughter-in-law is better because she is intelligent and tolerant. She wrote a letter to her elder sister that she has passed 5th class and is preparing for VIIIth standard. Regarding an ideal women, she mentioned the name of Mrs. Indira Gandhi , whom she considered an able administrator and she led the nation towards progress. In 80 words of dictations she had committed only 10 mistakes. Smt. Sonapati is also a member of SVP, Lucknow Library. She also expressed desire to read story books. She does not purchase books for reading. She takes books from the library and from the neighbours. According to her, through books we know a lot of new things and times is also properly utilised. Book are the source of entertainment, through them the practice to read and write is accelerated. She does not mention the name of any book, which had impressed her. She preferred to read social dramas, and short stories on social problems.

3. Participant Smt.Ram Devi :

Her husband is engaged in H.A.L Her daughter-in-low is educated. She used to come for functional literacy classes hiding from neighbours in the beginning. She also got literate through literacy programme of SVP, Lucknow. She also answered, correctly the questions asked, she committed 8 mistakes in 75 words dictation. On being asked about the library, she told that after becoming literate, she has been reading books of the SVP library regularly. She spends about one hour daily in reading books other than text books. She likes to read children's stories. According to her reading provides exposure to out side world and that they are source of entertainment. By reading books one can write faster. She likes to read books on home science, health, magazines, children books and ancient tales. She does not specially mention the name of any book read by her.

On the basis of field experience this can be said that it is of upmost importance to provide a learning atmospheres to neo-literates. If the learning process is not linked with the educational needs of the beneficiaries or if it is not fulfilling their recreational or the requirements of day to day life, the illiterate adults may not be motivated towards literacy or neo-literates may relapse to illiteracy. The neo-literate can only utilise their literacy skills for the betterment of their living standards and economic status if they are provided with continuous learning facilities. The experience in the field of adult learning not only in India but in other countries have confirmed that in the absence of learning environment our literacy programmes yield limited results. In some countries special training is imparted to the library workers, in which stress is also given to the progress assessment of the learner. As per recommendations of the New Education Policy, the concept of Jan Shikshan Nilayam (JSN) geared up in the last decade but now considering the increasing number of neo-literates in near future, this has been realised to crate permanent institution for post literacy and continuing education. Under the umbrella of continuing education alongwith neo-literates the school dropouts will also be able to upgrade their literacy and vocational skills. For this purpose extensive use of employment generating agencies, vocational training programmes. Audio-Visual-Aids and mobile libraries services are required. The concept of JSNs can be further emphasised through Charcha Mandals, Youth Clubs, Mahila Mandals, Mobile Libraries and Rural Reading Rooms.

Contact Info:

Dr. (Smt.) Manju Shukla
Director
Shramik Vidyapeeth
Lucknow