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Non-Formal Education Centre - Nepal
Source: Ministry of Education and Sports
The literacy rate of the country increased from two per cent in 1951 to 48.6 per cent among 15 plus age group (female - 34.9, male 62.7) according to census report 2001. Despite the progress, literacy still remains a high priority agenda of the government requiring concerted efforts from all sectors and at all fronts. Following this, non-formal education has been one of the strategies the government has adopted to improve the literacy situations in the country. The country is mobilizing governmental and non-governmental as well national and international agencies for expanding non-formal literacy activities in the country. An administrative set-up for Non-Formal Education (NFE) was established under the Ministry of Education in 1950s. Since then, several changes have taken place regarding the organizational structure of NFE activities. Building upon the past experiences, the government established the Non-formal Education Centre (NFEC) in 1999 (2056) in order to lead and coordinate the non-formal education activities in the country. The Centre is located at Sanothimi, Bhaktapur.
Non-formal education also aims to provide educational opportunities to the children of 8 to 14 years of age group who have missed primary schooling at appropriate age. The graduates of such programs are mainstreamed to formal schools so that they can continue for completing primary education cycle. The adult literacy program basically focuses on 3 R's (reading, writing and arithmetic) especially, to adults of 15-45 age groups. However, functional knowledge and skills are imparted in order to build-up self-confidence and quality of life. Women deserve special priorities in these programs.
The neo-literates are provided with additional opportunities of learning in order to retain, apply and continue their literacy skills and functional knowledge through post-literacy and continuing education programs. Provisions are also made to link such programs to development activities operating at the local level.
The implementation strategies are based on community mobilization. Therefore, local communities are involved in collecting the base-line data, designing the plans and programs, their implementation and monitoring, and coordinating the activities of various agencies and directing their involvement in implementation. The policy directives and supervision guidelines are provided from the centre.
The literacy campaign, as a main strategy is being implemented gradually in all districts. Different GOs, NGOs and INGOs have been mobilized to participate in such programs.
The NFEC has following main objectives:
Adult Education Programme (AEP) and Women Education Programme (WEP) are two similar programs that target the people of 15-45 age groups. Whereas AEP is for all people and WEP specifically targets the women. Both programs have two levels. The first phase of both programs aims at literacy and vocational skills whereas the second phase to stabilize literacy and strengthen the skills and knowledge achieved during the first phase. In addition to literacy and vocational skills, WEP also focuses on providing knowledge and skills on household and family related matters. Both phases of WEP and the first phase of AEP are of six months' duration with two hours a day (300 hours). The second phase of AEP, known as AEP post literacy, is of only 3 months' duration with two hours a day (150 hours). AEP, for the first phase, uses Naya goreto part I and II (2050) and Sabaiko lagi shikchhya as the learning materials for the second. WEP uses Mahila sakchhyarata pustika and Ghar aangan for the first phase and Gaun bensi part II and I for the second.
Out of school programme (OSP) is targeted for the children of 8-14 years. The first phase of this programme aims to make the children literate and encourages them to enroll in the formal school. After completing the OSP I, a child can join OSP II which aims to make the literacy stable and give some vocational training to the child. Each phase of OSP is of nine months' duration with two hours a day (450 hours). OSP I use Naulo bihana part I and II and OSP II use Naya phadako part I and II as teaching materials.
School out-reach and flexible schooling are two programs that aim to provide primary education to those children who could not attend formal schools due to different reasons. School out-reach provides education of grades one, two and three to out of school children using non-formal teaching methods. The programme spans for three years and uses textbooks of formal education. Flexible schooling aims to provide five years' primary schooling in three years' duration using intensive teaching methods. The programme uses textbooks of formal schools but in condensed form.
Population and family life education program aims to integrate messages of population and family life education with adult education and out-of-school programs and income generating programme provides income generating skills to literate and disadvantaged people on a need based manner.
Community Learning Centre (CLC) is a new and innovative approach to increase literacy in the country with a view to provide opportunities of basic education to all as well as to establish linkage between education and development. It also aims to work as a human resource development centre for the community as well as for providing access to development oriented information to all people. The CLC, through its coordinating role between people and development agencies, will eventually become a catalyst for local development.
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