Implementing Agency

Information Training and Research Centre (ITRC)
Zorig Foundation Building, Room 205, Peace Avenue 9A, Ulaanbaatar
Phone/Fax:  976-1-315446

Literacy and NFE situation
Adult literacy rate in Mongolia is high at 98.9% in 2000, with less than 1% gap between female and male literacy rate.  For the young population aged 15-24 years, female literacy rate is higher than male.  However, many children have dropped out or not been enrolled in education during the 1990s transition period, and the government and NGOs are trying to increase their education level, especially improving their literacy.  The oopportunities for lifelong learning are still limited due to the geographical and financial difficulties.  National Centre for Non-Formal and Distance Education has been implementing NFE projects with the support of UNESCO, and there is the increasing demand for NFE training manuals/materials, the trained NFE specialist, and development of NFE training contents and methodology.

CLC Initiatives and Features
CLC concept was well received both by the government and the communities as the CLC projects helped to introduce the new concept of community development into the Mongolian education system.  The pilot CLC project has been implemented by the ITRC, an NGO, with the support of UNESCO and the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO from 1998.  Currently there are 12 CLCs throughout the country, including 4 project sites developed as the model CLCs.  The 4 pilot CLCs conducted literacy, income generation, community development and health education programmes.  Through their community-based activities, CLCs have come to be considered as suitable and relevant local institutions that provide adult education and help improve the quality of life of community members. 

Main Activities
CLC activities vary in each CLC, depending on their local needs, interests, socio-economic status and environment.  However, the major target groups are nomads, school leavers, school dropouts, traditional craftsmen/women, small businessmen/women, unemployed youth, and women.  Existing facilities and buildings such as public libraries and daycare centres have been used as the venue for CLC activities.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The establishment of CLCs created larger NFE opportunities for local people, increased participation in community issues, and improved the understanding of own community problems and possible solutions.  However, the coverage of CLC project is still limited and challenges remain in the lack of infrastructure to reach isolated households in remote areas, the instability of key personnel, the lack of initiatives and independent work experiences, the shortage of ICT programmes for community use, the insufficient capital expenditure, and the needs to improve learning modules.

Future Plans
Future plans include:
- Capacity building for CLC trainers.
- Expansion and improvement of continuing education activities, according to the local needs.
- Piloting of a mobile (horseback) resource and training unit.