Even though the BMC submitted a proposal to the NLM to restart adult literacy programmes, it does not have current adult literacy rate data.
When Mukesh, a 21-year-old labourer told child rights activist Neha Trivedi of his desire to study, she began looking for adult literacy programmes. But she discovered that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had not conducted adult literacy programmes since 2000.
Civic officials admit that there are no adult literacy programmes in Mumbai right now. SS Shinde, deputy municipal commissioner said, “We conducted a very successful programme, Sampoorna Sakshartha Abhiyaan, which ended in 2000. Currently there are no programmes happening in Mumbai.”
Even though the BMC recently submitted a proposal to the National Literacy Mission to restart adult literacy programmes in Mumbai, it finds itself handicapped as it does not have current adult literacy rate data. Shinde said, “We will be conducting a new survey very soon.”
Activists have expressed their unhappiness over the prevailing state of affairs. Vikas Sawant of Pratham, an NGO which works with under privileged children said, “People above 18 have nowhere to go. We classify youngsters from 17 to 21 as ‘nowhere kids’ since there are no adult literacy programmes for them. Though they have the option of studying under the National Institute of Open Schooling, it isn’t a viable option as awareness is low.”
He added, “When most of the population in India is migrating from villages to cities, it is shocking that there is no adult literacy programme in place.”
Activists also fell that the government's excessive attention towards child education has overshadowed the adult literacy programme. Aruna Anand, South Asia Policy Analyst, Asia South Pacific bureau of Adult Education, an NGO said, “Educating children is not the only solution to the illiteracy problem. Governments forget the important role adult literacy plays.”
The only option available for adults wishing to finish their education is the National Institute of Schooling (NIOS). However activists dismiss the option as unworkable in Mumbai. Santosh Shinde of Bal Prafullata, an NGO which works on children’s education said, “The group of adults that the government is targeting is not aware of the NIOS. Therefore it is really not an option.”
He added, “We keep talking of turning Mumbai into Shanghai. It would be a skewed development if adult literacy rate is not taken into consideration.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}