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.

Date/Time Last Modified: 2/24/2003 8:26:46 P