An Assessment of the Implementation of NFAE in Oromia Region. the Case of ODA•Implemented FALP in Dalo-Mana Woreda, Bale Zone
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of NFAE in Oromia Region with particular
focus on the case of ODA - implemented Functional Adult Literacy Program in Dalo-Mana Woreda of
Bale Zone. This study was conducted using the review of related literature to obtain prior information.
The study was aimed at investigating the magnitude of support given by the stakeholders and the reason
for the beginning of the program and how it was undertaken. In addition, the study targeted examining
the importance and the level of integration of literacy with saving and credit scheme in Dalo-Mana
Woreda. It also considered the extent to which the provision of the program meets the learning needs of
the adults so as to help them improve their life. The methodology employed was qualitative case study.
Data was collected from the Regional ODA Head, Woreda Education Office and from the facilitators
through interview. Data wos olso gathered from centre management committee by way of focus group
discussion, class room observations and from document analysis. The data was supported by the brief
stories (anecdotes) obtained from model individuals.
The collected data was organized, analyzed, interpreted eventually coming up with the success and
drawbacks of the program. The program was appreciated due to creating educational opportunity for
the communities deprived of education. Thousands of adults including women became literate as the
result of intervention of this program. For the first time, the integration of saving and credit scheme with
literacy was exercised in these centres and registered some successes. In this regard, few women
benefited as the result of the integration and improved their life. Particularly, the adults were able to
read and write alphabets and calculate simple arithmetic in their daily life which is one of the
characteristics of the Functional Adult Literacy Program. The awareness of the community in relation to
the benefit of education increased and they sent their children to schools more frequently than before. In
addition, the community actively participated in the construction of the centres and involved in the
teaching learning activities.
There were shortcomings identified during this study. Some of them were the inadequacy of support and
collaboration of the other government sectors (agriculture, health offices etc) for the effective
implementation of the program. Likewise, weak supervision assistance given by the WEO to the centres;
absence of text books and shortage of teaching aids; lack of common understanding about the concept
and implementation of functional adult literacy within the practitioners; insufficient attention given to
link the provision of FAL with the learning need of the adults; less effort given to strengthen the
integration of saving and credit scheme with literacy; and inadequate community mobilization to
advance the level of implementation of the program can be sighted .
Finally, the researcher came up with conclusions that the implementation of FAL particularly in rural
areas was found to be the most important means to reach the unreached community. The researcher
recommended that if all concerned bodies develop common understanding about the program and act in
collaborative manner functional adult literacy can help adults become free from illiteracy and improve
their life
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Education