Accelerating Literacy Actions Chu Shiu Kee 31 August 2011

2 EFA literacy goal and where are we? EFA goal 4 on literacy: “Achieving a 50 per cent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for all adults” But: World adult literacy rate rose from 81.8 percent to 83.4 percent between : Too little and too slow to reach 90.9 percent? Adult illiterates worldwide increased from 792 to 796 millions: Fast population growth? Inadequate UPE? Poor literate environment? At least 10 Asia-Pacific countries lagging behind EFA literacy goal: India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh have the biggest adult illiterate populations, totaling 438 million in 2006: Major literacy acceleration required? How: Policy? Plan? Implementation? M&E?

Adult illiterate population in selected Asia-Pacific countries

Progress towards EFA literacy goal in selected Asia-Pacific countries,

5 Recommendations of EDN Literacy Establish/reinforce literacy coordination mechanisms at national and decentralized levels; Update literacy situation analysis using the latest population census data, and literacy partnership mapping; Formulate credible Country Literacy Acceleration Plans (CLAP); integrate them into national development plans and strategies. Mobilize adequate funding for literacy from all sources. Expand post-literacy and continuing education programmes to sustain literacy skills and promote lifelong learning. Strengthen research and capabilities of literacy and NFE personnel in conducting literacy needs assessment, policy analysis and formulation, strategic planning, partnership building, coordinating networks, promoting innovations, facilitating sharing of experiences and resources, monitoring and evaluation.

6 Actions to accelerate literacy Where and who are the illiterates? Literacy mapping using the latest population census data Match with existing literacy delivery capacities: data on schools; CLCs; NGOs; skill training programmes Involve decentralized education offices in updating literacy data and maps, prioritizing target illiterates, and planning actions MOE validates and amalgamates decentralized literacy action plans into a credible Country Literacy Acceleration Plan (CLAP) Integrate revised literacy policies and CLAP into national development strategies and plans Mobilize support and participation in literacy actions. UNESCO Guide to Accelerating Literacy Actions

7 The Guide: emphasizes bottom-up evidence-based literacy planning; targets officers responsible for planning, designing and/or implementing literacy and non-formal educational activities at all levels of the education administration, relevant ministries, agencies, NGOs and other literacy providers; focuses on training in methods and techniques of literacy mapping using Geographical Information Systems(GIS), and in prioritizing and planning effective literacy actions; promotes innovations in literacy strategies and programme delivery during planning and implementation.

8 Processes of literacy mapping and action planning Phase IPhase II Phase III Central level Provincial level District/ local level Literacy mapping + setting overall priorities Analyzing provincial literacy map Updating district/local literacy map Preparing district /local literacy action plan Preparing provincial literacy action plan Validate district /local literacy action plan Updating literacy maps + preparing CLAP

9 Contents of the Guide: 1.Why are literacy acceleration actions needed ? 2.Purpose of this Guide 3.Literacy Mapping 4.Analyzing literacy maps and planning literacy acceleration actions 5.Mobilizing and coordinating partners, stakeholders and illiterates 6.Preparing for implementation of literacy action plans

10 Next steps: Sep.2011Completion of 1 st draft Guide Oct.20111st round of expert review （ TBD ） Literacy mapping workshop (Cambodia) （ TBD ） Literacy action planning workshop (Cambodia) Feb nd round of expert review of revised Guide Mar.2012Finalization and dissemination April 2012Use in accelerating literacy actions in onwardsdifferent countries

11 Purpose of the Guide Better understand and use available data and information on illiteracy; Map and analyze the illiterate population in terms of their geographical location, characteristics, needs, constraints; Match literacy needs with existing literacy delivery capacities; Prioritize targets, design appropriate strategies, and plan effective literacy actions Determine realistic costing, budgets and other resource requirements for implementation of literacy actions Use CLAP to influence policies, generate commitments, and mobilize partnerships and support.

Population and literacy pyramid for selected Asia-Pacific Countries