Organizational structures and coordination mechanisms for Literacy:

Examples from other countries

Arshad Saeed Khan

UNESCO

17 February 2009, Islamabad

National Consultation Workshop on Literacy

Objective and content of Presentation

Objective: To share information about organizational structures and coordination mechanisms of successful literacy programmes in other countriesContent: 1. Basic pillars of a programme – organization

2. Organizational structures in India, Iran, and Bangladesh

3. Comparative analysis of literacy organizational structure in Pakistan

4. Application for Pakistan

Pillars of a successful programme 1. Mission, Vision, a clear Goal, and target

1. An organizational structure with Leadership (committed and experienced)

Trained Human Resources – middle level managers having

adequate expertise and dedication – not merely ‘generalists’ or

managers without training is the relevant field.

Wings or sections for specific tasks with specialized work force

(planning, monitoring, material development, training, advocacy)

2. Consistent Flow of Financial Resources: Guarantee for un-interrupted flow of required financial resources

1. Sustainability – a shield against political or economic upheavals, sudden change in policy or closure of project

Good Practices: Indian Model National Literacy Mission (since 1988), assisted by the Directorate

of Adult Education (established in 1971) – continuous policy support

Partnership with States: Joint financing by Central Govt. and State Govts. Ratio of 2:1 for general districts, and 4:1 for tribal districts.

Professional Base: Network of 26 State Resource Centres for Literacy (in universities, independent professional bodies, or with NGOs)

Total Literacy Campaign (TLC) led by the States and district governments, based on motivational drive and volunteerism

Post Literacy Programme (PLP) and Continuing Education (CE) to reinforce basic literacy

Basket of Messages: Literacy programmes foster social and educational messages, e.g. Enrolment drive, immunization, small family norm, women empowerment, campaign against social evils

XI Plan Target (2008-2012): 85% Literacy by 2012 – 260 million illiterates to be covered - Allocation for 2008-09: Rs. 4.510 Billion

NATIONAL LITERACY MISSIONNATIONAL LITERACY MISSION

SECRETARIATNATIONAL LITERACY MISSION

SECRETARIATNATIONAL LITERACY MISSION

STATE LITERACY MISSIONAUTHORITY

STATE LITERACY MISSIONAUTHORITY

STATE DIRECTORATE OFADULT EDUCATION

STATE DIRECTORATE OFADULT EDUCATION

ZILLA SAKSHARATA SAMITYZILLA SAKSHARATA SAMITY

DIRECTORATE OF ADULT EDUCATIONDIRECTORATE OF ADULT EDUCATION

STATE RESOURCE CENTRESTATE RESOURCE CENTRE

DISTRICT RESOURCE UNITDISTRICT RESOURCE UNIT

Literacy Programmes in India

Organizational Structure - from Centre to District Level

Functions of Directorate of Adult Education:India (established since 1971)

Academic and technical resource support to National Literacy Mission.

Prepare guidelines for development of teaching-learning materials.

Organize training and orientation programmes Monitor the progress and status of literacy campaigns

and to provide regular feedback to National Literacy Mission.

Produce media materials and harnessing of all kinds of media

Coordination, collaboration and networking with all the Zila Saksharta Samitis, State Literacy Mission Authorities, State Resource Centres

Iran – Literacy Movement Organization

LiteracyMovement Organization

(LMO)-Head

Educational andHuman Force

ProvinceDirectorate

Propagation andCommunication

Deputy

ObservingCouncil

Research andProduction of LiteracyMaterial Development

Propaganda &Communication

Public andInternational Relations

Directorate

Propagation andArtistic

Directorate

Parliamentary andProvincial Affairs

Directorate

Evaluation &Inspection

ProvinceExecutive Council

Supporting Council

Planning andTraining of

Human Force

Examination andEvaluationDirectorate

Cities DepartmentsProvincial

Centres (27)

Literacy Movement Organization established in 1979. Separate sections and Directorates for Material Development, Training, Planning, Motivational campaigns and Provincial/City programmes etc.

Ministry ofPrimary and Mass Education

Bureau of Non-Formal Education

National AdvisoryCouncil

Directorate of Training andImplementation

Directorate of Planning,Monitoring, Evaluation & MIS

District Bureaus ofNon-Formal Education

Bangladesh

Separate Ministry of Primary and Mass Education –with Bureau of Non-formal Education (BNFE) for adult literacy and Non-formal Basic Education programmes

BNFE: 229 staff at national level with 64 district offices

Literacy: What we are missing in Pakistan?

No active federal body for national level coordination: No official budget and forum for coordination meetings and harmonization of provincial efforts (meetings, if any, convened mainly with donors support)

No professional wings to support provincial Directorates or Departments in material development, research, and training (in formal education system there are Curriculum Bureaus, Textbook Boards, Training Colleges, and research institutes, None for NFE)

No formula for financing of Literacy and NFB: Funding for literacy and NFBE is sporadic, incidental or depending upon links with those who really matter – not for literacy per se – No specified ratio of education budget for literacy (normally less than 1% of education budget)-

Federal and Provincial Roles: not specified, not followed – Occasionally, Fed Govt. institutions will self-assume direct implementation,– Some provinces will not commit provincial budget for literacy and NFBE –No tradition of joint financing or a role in implementation-monitoring (like in India).

Quest for finding answers to literacy issues in Pakistan: Group Work

How to ensure sustainability

How to mobilize additional resources for up scaling?

How to develop quality of literacy programmes?

Capacity development and research?

How to strengthen coordination among literacy actors, (Fed, provincial, NGOs, academic institutions)?