Adult Literacy Centers: The Secret
of Success
By Muhammad Naveed Tahir
Education Coordinator, HDF RYK
Motivating adults to become literate
is a difficult task. Across Pakistan,
informal adult literacy schools have
cropped up to fill the gap left by
the country's government schools.
Thousands of adults need help, especially
the poor and those in rural areas.
It is an admitted fact that in most
cases, adult literacy centers are
established but cannot survive for
very long. However, by the grace of
Allah, this has not been the case
for HDF-run adult literacy centers.
HDF's three adult literacy centers
(ALC) in Rahim Yar Khan are running
quite successfully. In all, the centers
are servicing 24 students. There are
a number of factors that make HDF
centers more productive and successful:
There is a sense of community ownership
of the adult learning project. The
more locals are involved, the more
they will be motivated to benefit
from it, and the greater the chances
for success. Community involvement
includes designing, running, promoting
and monitoring local schools as well
as donating land and buildings.
HDF is trying very hard to change
the method of teaching from the traditional
rote method to that of "joyful
and activity based learning."
The teachers are well trained and
highly committed. They are typically
from the local community. The advantage
of this is that teacher absenteeism
is greatly reduced, most probably
due to the heightened sense of accountability
to the community. Teachers are properly
trained not only in the subject matter
but in teaching methods as well.
HDF staff is well aware of the need
to educate the community to support
itself and empower its members. HDF's
adult learning centers in Rahim Yar
Khan indeed serve as an example to
all other villages trying to take
such initiatives.
