In order to give a better shape to adult education system, the State Government is going to launch a six-month literacy Certificate Course that will benefit large number of men and women along with focusing only on studies. Presently, Adult Education Centres (AECs) are functional under Central Government sponsored Saakshar Bharat scheme in each panchayat for empowering illiterates.
“Around 18.20 lakh people have been targeted by the Government for this literacy Certificate Course of which 12 lakh will be women. The Adult Education Centre involves activities like skill development, entertainment and discussions. But, the literacy Certificate Course would emphasise only on studies. Till date, no voluntary teacher or trainer was assigned exclusively for studies,” said Saakshar Bharat State Programme Coordinator Jawed.
The illiterates aged between 15 to 35 years are given the opportunity to study within a time bound in AECs. The certificate is issued by National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). It is equivalent to the literacy level obtained till standard three. Prior to beginning the literacy certificate course, the Human Resources Development (HRD) department will conduct ‘literacy level Checking Drive’ from March 15 to 30 in Panchayats of 20 districts mentioned in the Saakshar Bharat scheme. Districts excluded from the programme are Simdega, Jamtara, Khunti and Saraikela-Kharsawan.
“One Voluntary trainer will teach ten students in a panchayat. These Voluntary trainers will be guided by Master trainers and Key Resource Persons. We started the three day workshop for Key Resource Persons of seven districts on Monday. They in turn will train Master trainers in their district. Similar workshop for 13 other districts will be held from March 11 to 13,” said Jawed.
Also, Jawed said the HRD is planning to train around 1 lakh 8 thousand Key Resource Persons by the end of this month. Notably, local radio stations are spreading awareness about the literacy test drive through advertising the conversation between two women. The women quote the campaign beneficial for school drop outs.
According to the website of Saakshar Bharat, despite significant accomplishments of the National literacy Mission launched in 1988 (to impart functional literacy to non-literates in the age group of 15 to 35 years within a time bound manner), illiteracy continues to be an area of national concern. It is in this background that Saakshar Bharat was devised as the new variant of National literacy Mission. It covers all adults above the age group of 15 years. The primary focus is on women.