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Preparation of Books for Neo-Literates in Post Literacy & Continuting Education Programmes Dr. V. Reghu |
Literacy Programmes are considered as the second war of independence in developing economy like India. As a result of Literacy Programmes illiterates become literates. Post-Literacy & Continuing Education Programmes are organised to strengthen their learning skills. Different types of Programmes and materials are necessary for the purpose. Neo-literate books are highly useful to improve their extended training otherwise there is a danger of the person relapsing into illiteracy. A Neo-Literate is expected to acquire certain specific learning skills through the literacy programme. They can be classified into :- (a) Tool skills (understanding the letters in the language and minimum numerical abilities). (b) Process skills (the process of reading, writing, understanding etc.). (c) Communicating skills (like writing letters, questioning, explaining etc.). These skills will help the neo-literate to collect more information and knowledge relevant to his/her life. Preparation of neo-literate books as a part of Post-Literacy and Continuing Education Programmes is an important and challenging task. Based on the Kerala Experience in literacy, there are different stages in the preparation of the Neo-Literate Books. 1. Planning Stage: At this stage the background of the target group is studied. The materials they have used for literacy, their needs, reading interests etc. will help to plan the process in a systematic and meaningful way. As a result, certain areas/topics relevant to the target group can be identified. Books for neo-literates should be useful for improving their quality of life. It is advisable to focus on the immediate and life touching problems of the target groups. Identification of the content/subject suitable to the needs of the group is also important at this stage. 2. Identification of persons to write the books: Persons with some experience in literacy, with some knowledge about the background of the neo-literates can do better in the preparation of the neo-literates books. The creativity of the writer plays a very important role in the preparation of the material. 3. Organisation of the workshop It is better to oprganise a workshop in which the expected book writers, experts in the field of Non-Formal Education, Adult Education Workers, Psychologists, Linguists, Artists/Illustrators etc are invited. The membership of the group can be limited to 35-40 for effective functioning of the programme. Topics, Content, presentation style, printing and Publication etc. will have to be discussed in detail (preferably in small groups). The writers will have to come with prepared scripts for discussion. 4. Draft of the book and try out Based on the above discussions the draft of the book is to be modified by the writers. The draft will have to be tried out with actual readers, if possible. Based on the try out with readers (selected at random) modifications can be made in the material, with special reference to the language, presentation, illustration, length of the material etc. 5. Publication & distribution of the material The books are to be published after tryout. The presentation of the material, illustrations, colours used for printing, size of the book, etc are to be taken care of during the process of printing. It is better to distribute the materials on free of cost to the learners through the centres/rural libraries/youth groups/women groups etc. 6. Evaluation & follow up The published materials are to be evaluated. Opinions and suggestions of readers, authors, experts, artists, linguists, adult education workers etc are to be considered during the process of evaluation. Based on the evaluation, follow up activities are to be suggested for further improvement of the material. The following steps are suggested based on the experience in the preparation and development of Neo-literate Books.
1.1 Relevance of the topic/subject It should be relevant to the readers (neo-literates) daily life, environment, needs, occupation, interest, age group, background etc. 1.2 Simplicity of the language The treatment should be very simple according to the level of readability of the target group. 1.3 Knowledge level Neo-literate possess some basic knowledge. The material will have to enhance their knowledge level. It must be up to date, real and logical. National values, and messages are important. 1.4 Message It is better to convey one message at a time. It may be given clearly and completely.
2.1 Studies have shown that story form is appreciated by male as well as female readers. Drama, dialogue, narration etc. are also recommended. 2.2 Illustration/pictures are necessary to give clarity to ideas (25% to 50% of the book space according to the level of the material). Examples and experience will help the readers for better understanding. 2.4 Internal structure of the material may differ according to the presentation.
It is better to present technical subjects in "non- story" method
. Problems as well as solutions may be given, in a life touching way. 3.0 Technical aspects of the material 3.1 Pictures/illustrations must be clear and relevant 3.2 Size of the book must be handy 3.3 Application of appropriate and attractive colours in printing is important. 3.4 The size of letters (Printing) may vary from 14 to 24 point according to the needs. 3.5 Standard shapes of letter and standard spelling should be used. 3.6 The picture of the cover and content of the book should be proper and relevant. 3.7 Binding of the book must be good 3.8 A brief preface is necessary. 3.9 Technical terms/words/if necessary can be described, with examples for better understanding. 3.10 According to the Directorate of Adults Education,(Government of India) the length of the text may be in the range of (a) 500-1000 words (b) 1000-2000 words or (c) 2000-4000 words. (500-1000 word length is preferable for the beginners). 3.11 Books can be graded according to the level of the readers (Grade
I to grade IV , Grade I for beginners and Grade IV for those who are capable
of reading the standard newspapers of the language. Grade II & III will
come in between.) In Continuing Education Target specific functional programmes are visualised in Continuing Education by the National Literacy Mission(India). Equivalency Programmes (EPs) Income Generating Programmes (IGPs) Quality of Life Improvement Programmes(QLIPs) Individual Ineterest Promotion Programmes (IIPs) etc. are some of the major Programmes. Relevant and suitable materials are to be designed and developed according to the specific needs of the target groups. Who will produce the material? Governmental and Non-Governmental Agencies, Universities, State Resource
Centres, District Literacy Councils etc. working in the field can take leadership
in the production and publication of Neo-literate books. A co-ordinated
effort in production will help to improve the quality , quantify of the
material. Research studies are to be carried out by the Universities and
such other institutions to strengthen the present situation. In Brief Usually, a "Neo-Literate" in Indian context means any one who
did not or could not make use of the available educational opportunities
on time, and who at a later stage acquired the skills of literacy through
formal, or non-formal approaches. Majority of illiterates as well as neo-literates
are economically poor and they live in a very uncomfortable socio-cultural
situation. The neo-literate material should help them to develop a critical
faculty, scientific temper, and to improve their socio-economic situation.
It should also promote our civilisation, tradition and development of the
person as well as the community for the advancement of the country. REFERENCE Bakta Priya Writers workshop on the Development of Neo- Literates Material CACEE Kerala University, Trivandrum. 1989. Bhaskara Panicker P.T. Neo - literate Literature - A study (Malayalam) KANFED, Trivandrum 1978. DAE, Government of India - Books for Post - Literacy - guidelines. DAE, Government of India - Scheme of Continuing Education for Neo-literates, National Literacy Mission, New Delhi. Mushtaq Ahmed A Survey of Reading Materials for Neo-literates in India, IAEA, New Delhi 1957. Reghu.V - Continuing Education and Neo-literate Literature, Indian Journal of Adult Education (1995 April - June). Reghu. V & Mathew Sam A criteria for evaluating the Neo-literate books in Malayalam (Unpublished Research Report, CACEE, University of Kerala)1991. Sivadasan Pillai K. (Ed.) Neo-Literate Literature Writing & Evaluation (Malayalam) CACEE, Kerala University 1981. Sivadasan Pillai K. Books for Neo-literates in Malayalam - National Book Trust, New Delhi 1981. Taichi Sasaoka How to prepare materials for neo-literates UNESCO, International Bureau of Education, Geneva, 1990. UNESCO Studies on Post Literacy & Continuing Education, Institute
of Education, Hamburg 1986. *APPENDIX A LITERACY NORMS FOR 3 LEVELS OF BASIC LITERACY STAGE Level I ABILITY TO read and write words/sentences using most frequent letters and vowels signs; read and write numbers upto 50; write one's own name. Level II ABILITY TO read and write words and sentences almost all the letters, all vowel signs and some conjunct letters; read and write numbers upto 100 and do simple addition and subtraction upto 100; write names of family members and one's address. Level III ABILITY TO ready and comprehend a small passage (unknown
text/newspaper headings, road signs etc; compute simple problems of multiplication
and division involving numbers upto 100; apply skills of writing and numeracy
in day-to-day activities. i.e. writing letters, filling forms etc. *APENDIX B GRADING CRITERIA FOR BOOKS Factors Grade I Grade II Grade III
Language * words small known about 5 to 6 % a few bigger words with new words. words, about frequently well explained 8 to 10% new occurring in the text words well simple with frequently explained in conjunct occurring the text with letters conjunct letters judicious use of all conjunct letters
sentence length average 80 words 100 words 120 words paragraph length total words 500 to 1000 1000 to 2000 2000 to 40000 in á book Illustration 50 % 35 % 25% Letter size 24 pt 20 pt 16 pt No. of pages 16 to 20 20 to 24 24 to 32 * The suggestions given here are flexible and applicable to language like Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, etc. In case of language like Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, etc. the number of words would be comparatively less. * Appendix (A&B) from "Books for Post-Literacy", Director of Adult Education, Govt. of India, New Delhi. pp.28-29.
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