Approach to Sustain Literacy
D
evelopment Alternative Group’s ‘TARA Akshar+’ is a 56 day long ICT based programme targeting those who have not had access to formal education. TARA Akshar+ works on the basis of memory techniques which propels the ability of the learners to retain and absorb what is being taught. With the support of various government and non-government organisations, the outreach of the programme in the past 8 years has reached nearly 1.25 lakh Indian women.Like any adult literacy programme, the biggest challenge for TARA Akshar
+ is the successful retention of the learners. The neo-literates have to apply their newly acquired literacy skill in their day-to-day communication, furthering of knowledge and solution of problems. Use of different literacy tests as tools to measure retention among our programme learners have revealed that practice on a consistent, regular basis will help our learners translate their literacy skill into a lifelong reading practice.Research and experience of working with neo literates
supports that sustainability of literacy is a global challenge which is
resource and time intensive. Neo literates have fragile levels of literacy.
In the absence of ‘appropriate’ reading material, such learners can easily
relapse into illiteracy. The TARA Akshar+
team has introduced the concept of ‘Apni Pathshala’ (My Own School)
in every village where the TARA Akshar+
programme is functional. This new programme has been designed to address the
needs of the neo literates by supporting them in translating their newly
attained literacy skills into a life-long learning habit.
‘Apni Pathshala’ (My Own School) is a resource centre for the neo literates primarily created for the reinforcement of literacy. The reading material for Apni Pathshala has been specifically designed to contain interesting and relevant material for increasing the reading skills of the neo literates. The goals of the ‘Apni Pathshala’ (My Own School) programme are as follows:
·
Enhancing the literacy level of the neo-literates to the level of self-learning.·
Improvement of practical monetary skills through tailor made modules on financial literacy such as savings, bank usage, maintaining budgets, insurance, getting loans etc.·
Providing access to information by serving as a platform for learners to become digitally literate through imparting them information on how technology can help them solve problems and get access to knowledge on various relevant topics such as agriculture, vaccinations, prevention from common diseases etc.·
Promoting the idea of ‘learning through entertainment’ through specially designed content, games and videos.·
Liaisoning with government bodies - ‘Apni Pathshala’ is designed to work as a resource centre for the community to become aware of various provisions for them at the state level. The running of the TARA Akshar+ programme in the community gives a platform to liaison with the relevant government bodies. After the delivery of the TARA Akshar+ programme, the ‘Apni Pathshala’ becomes a means for the community to access various government schemes. One of the major deliverables of the ‘Apni Pathshala’ team is to network with bodies like JSS, ATMA, Krishi Vikas Kendras and National Rural Livelihood Mission.The existing ‘Apni Pathshalas’ have the following workforce - the instructor and the TARA Saheli. The instructor works as a repository of knowledge on various aspects such as agriculture, paramedic training, financial literacy and livelihood options. The TARA Saheli gives trainings on aspects like child nutrition, menstrual hygiene and general hygiene to the neo literate women which she conducts using flip charts, books and stimulating discussions on these topics.
The TARA Akshar+ team is very excited about this new concept. It will be our endeavour to create many, many ‘Apni Pathshalas’ across the country. q
Sakshi Lamba
slamba@tarahaat.com