PROPOSAL

BACKGROUND: In Pakistan, excluding metropolitan cities the literacy rate and interest to send children in schools is very poor. There are many reasons; schools not approachable, education expensive and/or parents do not consider education of their children relevance to their needs. What ever the reasons may be, the illiterate children are pooled up, especially in rural areas where more than 70% people are living, resulting very high rate of illiterate adults.

Taking an example of Attock district in Punjab, like many other districts, it is basically rural oriented with 87% of the population are living in rural areas as envisaged from censure 1981. Tables on literacy annexed, give very bleak picture of literacy ratio , which has effected socio-economic development very badly.

THE PROBLEM: More than two third of the adults are illiterate, majority of them are females living in rural areas. To provide them proper education relevance to their socio-economic needs, is a gigantic task. All efforts, made so far, to improve literacy ratio are not proved fruitful . The problem is now to convince the parents to send their all school going children to the schools and then those who are illiterate to provide them education to their needs.

THE PROPOSAL: Solution to the problem is in the hands of the Communities. The required results could be achieved adopting following strategy:

1. There should be a "Community House" for each locality of 1500 to 2000 inhabitants, well equipped with Audio-visual aids and facilities of community interest. Primary schools of PMLC also function in their respective community houses.

2. NGOs/CBOs supervising the PMLC schools, with the help of teachers and active community members can launch programmes of community interests to attract them.

3. All adults of the communities can be registered for education, relevance to their needs of socio economic development.

4. Relevant community laboratories in various fields could be established to provide training to the adults of the community.

5. PMLC or any designated government organization can arrange examinations from relevant courses meant for the Adult Functional Education. Those qualifying the examinations may be provided with interest free loans to establish their private work (individual or in group). This incentive given to the adults qualifying examination will boost the economy and also help to achieve desired rate of Adult Functional Education.

COUNTRY PAPER

INTRODUCTION

Adult learning is a key for the 21st century. The relationship between adult education and basic education (UPE) process is one of interdependence. Recognising vital role of adult education is social development of the nations all policies documents and policy provisions reflect Governments concern and commitment for promotion of basic education, adult education and function adult education. Ever since independence, the Government has been making serious efforts to achieve 100% literacy and basic education for childrens & adults but it remained to be an elusive goal, due to multifarious factors, such as economic constants, political instability, unchecked growth population, lack of community participation, lack of awareness etc.

The literacy rate at present is 37.90% against 2.8% population growth rate. Various programmes have been launched in the country to enhance literacy rate through six months programme and basic education (UPE) . Simultaneously, efforts are being made to support adult illiterates with daily life skills and knowledge. At present literacy has enlightened the eyes of the literates; now they need exposure to new experiences for acquisition functional knowledge, and functional skills; which is essential for an enlightened, useful citizenry.

This paper throws light on the opportunities offered in Pakistan to adults through different non-formal educational programmes during previous years in the context of literacy, basic education and functional education. Prime Minister's Literacy Commission, Ministry of special education and Women Development, Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal Open University and NGO's have undertaken special literacy programmes for adults, in which functional knowledge and skills have been introduced. Detail is given below:

1.

a. Problems and needs in rural context.

b. Civil values.

c. Bickering in Matrimonial life.

d. Population and Environment Problems

e. Female education and health.

f. Local Skills.

g. Reading Habits.

h. Practice in real situations.

i. Awareness about micro-credit.

2. SUGGESTIONS

a. Development of instructional material is not the real problem. Based on research study and needs assessment keeping in view the target group.

b. The "expertize" available in every Asian Country can be utilized to develop material in the form of booklets charts, audio cassettes and video cassettes.

c. Accessibility of poor masses to the material. In the context of 'functional Aspects of Adult Education' the working suggestions are made:

d. Non-Formal skills oriented programmes should be launched in the Asian countries, excluding metropolitan cities and networking of said programme, between the countries is very important.

e. There should be a "Community House" for each locality of 1500 to 2000 inhabitants, well equipped with Audio-Visual aids and facilities of adults interest. (This programme has been launched in Pakistan for adults in 1986 to onward).

f. All adults of the communities can be registered for education relevance to their needs of socio-economic development.

g. Relevant community laboratories in various fields could be established to provide training to the adults of the community.

h. Designated institutions of the Asian countries can arrange examinations from relevant courses meant for the Adult Functional Education. Those qualifying the examinations may be provided with interest free loans to establish their private work (individual or group) . This incentive given to the adults qualifying examination will boost the economy and also help to achieve desired rate of Adult Functional Education.