Implementing agency

BUNYAD Literacy Community Council
E/105/A-9, Gulgusht Colony
New Super Town, Main Boulevard Defense
P.O Box 6013, Lahore Cantt
Phone:  92-42-6670887
Fax:  92-42-6661817

Literacy situation

According to the population census report in 1998, the literacy rate of age 10 and over is 43.9 %, with 54.8 % for males and 32% for females.  Though the literacy rate has increased from 26.2% in 1981, it is still low, comparing to other countries in the region.  Adult literacy has suffered primarily due to low rates of participation because of poverty and conservatism.  Furthermore, there are other causes of low literacy rates including: financial constraints, lack of political will, absence of organizational structure, lack of capacity in literacy personnel and weak management especially monitoring and evaluation.

The National Plan of Action on EFA (2001 – 2015) aims to achieve 50% improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, with particular emphasis on eliminating the gender disparities.  The main programme areas under the Plan include: coordination between NFE schools and formal schools, establishment of literacy centres in cooperation with NGOs, provision of vocational and skill training and strengthening lifelong and continuing education as well as advocacy for HIV-AIDS prevention.

CLC initiatives

CLCs in Pakistan were initiated in 1998 by two NGOs, BUNYAD and Malik Maula Bakhsh Trust (MMBT), these working towards the promotion of literacy, particularly for rural women and children in the low-income areas of Punjab.  BUNYAD assisted 9 BERTIs (Basic Education Resource Training Initiatives) to function as CLCs to provide education, information and skill training.  Currenlty CLCs are established in 11 districts of Punjab. 

While MMBT has self-sustained the CLCs using their local resources, the UNESCO’s support has been extended to Balochistan province. (add more info about this)

Activities

The CLCs supported by BUNYAD have multi-functions including literacy, skill training, information services, library and women empowerment.  Various community development activities including better networking and joint marketing have been conducted through mobilizing local resources and involving community people in the entire process of the activities.  Effective use of internet has been recognized as one of the main activities of the CLCs to obtain latest information and knowledge from outside world, e.g. agriculture technologies, women/children’s health, market trends and other educational information.

Achievements and challenges

Community people’s awareness about importance of education is still low while the government personnel have low recognition about NFE and CLCs.   Lack of resources in terms of materials and funds as well as capable personnel is the major constraint of the CLCs.   At the same time, the local resources have not been fully utilized by the CLCs before seeking assistance from outside.