The literacy parameter has been considered as one of the important development indicator all over the world. our own experience in the last 50 years of development would show that our county would have achieved much better had there been a greater emphasis on education and literacy from the very beginning. However commendable efforts have been made during 80s and 90s of twentieth century. The introduction and implementation of NAEP and NLM can be considered as the land marks in the history of Adult Education in India. These two major programmes enabled us to create structures in the implementation of adult literacy and adult education programmes. Further, functional flexibility and certain amount of autonomy has been introduced into these programmes.

A new approach called the total literacy campaign has been introduced and implemented in the State of Andhra Pradesh as well as in the country from 1990 onwards. The mode of implementation of this programme is a campaign mode. This programme is being implemented in the districts under the chairmanship of the District Collectors through a registered society viz., the Zilla Saksharatha Samithi. All other district functionaries as other office bearers on voluntary basis . The duration of TLC is one years. During the first six months period survey, environment building and other preparatory activities will be taken up and during the second six months period the teaching activity will be taken up.

After completion of the basic literacy programme Post literacy Activities have to be taken up for a period of two years to retain the literacy skills acquired through TLC.

After the post literacy programme the Continuing Education for a period of five years have to be implemented to make the learners self reliant and permanent sustainability of acquired literacy and functional skills apart from awareness.

The Zilla saksharatha samithi which is the ultimate responsible agency t implement the TLC,PLC and CE programme execute the literacy programme through various committees viz., academic, financial environment building, monitoring, material production etc., the ZSS also have sub-structures at divisional and mandal levels .The District Collector being the mission leader in the district and as the Chairman of ZSS played a vital role during the campaign period. Since the Collector as a District Magistrate and Chief Administrator could command the involvement of the functionaries of all development departments throughout the literacy campaign. When the Chief Administrator of the district himself involve and work with commitment, in the noble task of eradication of illiteracy, there has been a greater possibility of involving the Government functionaries and Voluntary Organisations in the literacy programme. As such the role of Collector as the Chairman of the ZSS has always been dominant and unavoidable.

The following are the gains and looses of involvement of Collectors as Chairman of the Zills Saksharagha Samithies:

GAINS

The District Collector being the Chief Administrator, can ensure the involvement of all the functionaries and development department and NG0s in the Literacy Campaigns.

The infrastructure men and material of all the Governmental local bodies and otherwise can be utilised to the maximum extent in the implementation of the Literacy Campaigns.

Proper utilisation of funds, transparency of accounts and expenditure can be ensured.

The Collector being the Chief Administrator, is the right person to lead the campaign and enthuse the volunteers and other functionaries in the programme

The Collector as a Chairman of the Zilla Saksharatha Samithi can take suitable and timely decisions and mobilise funds for timely implementation of the Literacy Programmes.

LOSSES

Since the Collector is a busy person, can not spare required and in the long run implementation of Post Literacy and Continuing Education.

Since all powers such as decision making and approval of finances are wasted with the Collector as Chairman of Zifia Saksharatha Samithi the second line of administration can not take any decision and responsibility.

Lot of time was being wasted and things are being delayed just for the sake of financial and administrative approvals.

The second line of administration i.e., the Secretary of Zilla Saksharatha Suffithics/Deputy Directors of Adult Education.

If the Chief Administrator as the Chairman of the Zilla Saksharatha Samithi as a person not interested in the Literacy Programmes the entire programme may go as a failure.

The decisions taken at State Level and guidelines issued are not being implemented properly in some districts and the Chairman of the Zilla Saksharatha Samithies defers with a different point of view, as the Zilla Saksharatha Samithies is an autonomous.

The bye-laws of all the ZWa Saksharatha Samithies are not uniform in nature and as such the powers, functions incorporated therein are different from district to district.

There are instances when the Collector who initiated the Literacy Programme is transferred and a new incumbent in his place has not shown any interest in the programme and the programme suffered a lot.

SUGGESTIONS

The second line of administration at Zilia Saksharatha Samithi should be made effective with some sort of decision making.

Create responsible structures at District Level to take timely decisions and implementation, without looking for orders of Chairman, Zilia Saksharatha Samithi and wasting time.

Creation of necessary responsible structures at village block/mandal and divisional levels, and setting in motion of processes which could ensure effective implementation of Post Literacy and Continuing Education.

Evolve and institutionalise sustainable and replicable village level structures enable in the community to manage the Post Literacy and Continuing Education Programmes for moving towards a literate village and learning society.

Village level convergence, micro level planning at the village level and empower the community to administer the programmes would yield permanent and long lasting results.

Grants may be released through SLILA/D,,AE instead of directly to the districts. The payment to the evaluation agencies may be made by the SLMADAE instead of by the Zilla Saksharatha Samithies to avoid unnecessary complications in payment from the ZSS side, and ensure free and fair evaluation.