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
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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

Partnership with States: Joint financing by Central Govt. and State
of Adult Education (established in 1971) – continuous policy support
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 (2008-2012): 85% Literacy by 2012 – 260 million
illiterates to be covered - Allocation for 2008-09: Rs. 4.510 Billion
Literacy Programmes in India
Organizational Structure - from Centre to District Level
NATIONAL LITERACY MISSION
SECRETARIAT
NATIONAL LITERACY MISSION
STATE LITERACY MISSION
AUTHORITY
DIRECTORATE OF ADULT EDUCATION
STATE RESOURCE CENTRE
STATE DIRECTORATE OF
ADULT EDUCATION
ZILLA SAKSHARATA SAMITY
DISTRICT RESOURCE UNIT
Functions of Directorate of Adult Education:
India (established since 1971)

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Academic and technical resource support to National
Literacy Mission.
Prepare guidelines for development of teachinglearning 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 1979. Separate sections and
Directorates for Material Development, Training, Planning, Motivational
campaigns and Provincial/City programmes etc.
Literacy
Movement Organization
(LMO)-Head
Observing
Council
Educational and
Human Force
Research and
Production of Literacy
Material Development
Planning and
Training of
Human Force
Examination and
Evaluation
Directorate
Propagation and
Communication
Deputy
Province
Directorate
Province
Executive Council
Propaganda &
Communication
Evaluation &
Inspection
Public and
International Relations
Directorate
Supporting Council
Cities Departments
Provincial
Centres (27)
Propagation and
Artistic
Directorate
Parliamentary and
Provincial Affairs
Directorate
Bangladesh

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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
Ministry of
Primary and Mass Education
National Advisory
Council
Bureau of NonFormal Education
Directorate of Training and
Implementation
Directorate of Planning,
Monitoring, Evaluation & MIS
District Bureaus of
Non-Formal Education
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

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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)?