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 countries Content : 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 ( ): 85% Literacy by 2012 – 260 million illiterates to be covered - Allocation for : Rs Billion

NATIONAL LITERACY MISSION SECRETARIAT NATIONAL LITERACY MISSION SECRETARIAT NATIONAL LITERACY MISSION STATE LITERACY MISSION AUTHORITY STATE LITERACY MISSION AUTHORITY STATE DIRECTORATE OF ADULT EDUCATION STATE DIRECTORATE OF ADULT EDUCATION ZILLA SAKSHARATA SAMITY DIRECTORATE OF ADULT EDUCATION STATE RESOURCE CENTRE DISTRICT 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 Literacy Movement Organization established in Separate sections and Directorates for Material Development, Training, Planning, Motivational campaigns and Provincial/City programmes etc.

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)?