DEVELOPMENT OF A DISTANCE EDUCATION MODEL FOR ENHANCEMENT OF LITERACY IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

PhD The present research entitled “Development of a Distance Education Model for Enhancement of Literacy in Pakistan” was conducted in view of the poor literacy condition in Pakistan. They main objectives of the study included to analyze the past literacy programmes in Pakistan and to develop a distance education literacy model for Pakistan. To conduct the study population consisted of literacy instructors working in different districts of Punjab province of Pakistan, Executive District Officers literacy, personnel from the Department of Distance and Non-formal Education and Institute of Mass Education of Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad and EFA Wing Ministry of Education Government of Pakistan and adult illiterates living in the rural areas of Punjab province. For the selection of sample whole population of literacy instructors, Executive District Officers literacy, personnel from the Department of Distance and Non-formal Education and Institute of Mass Education of Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad and EFA Wing Ministry of Education Government of Pakistan was selected. Whereas 514 literacy VIinstructors and 630 adult illiterates were selected adopting the techniques of proportionate stratified sampling and convenient sampling respectively. For the purpose of data collection questionnaires and the structured interview schedule were used. Questionnaires developed on five point rating scale were delivered to literacy instructors, Executive District Officers literacy and personnel of Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad. But, personnel of EFA Wing and adult illiterates were interviewed. Moreover, two focused group discussion sessions were also arranged with the personnel from EFA wing and DNFE department of AIOU The study revealed that in the past literacy programme had been suffering because of financial problems, defective administration, inconsistency and misuse of the available resources. The adult learners were not properly motivated for literacy. There was no use of broadcast media or the motivational techniques to attract the illiterate people to the literacy centers. Above all there was no consistency in the literacy programmes because with the change in government these programmes were either abandoned or replaced. Due to centrally organized programmes these were poorly evaluated and did not meet the needs of the local community. As a result the literacy rate in Pakistan could no be raised to the desired level. Therefore, distance education is a useful alternative through which improvement in literacy situation in Pakistan can be brought about. It was recommended that adequate funding should be provided for literacy programmes along with making the administration effective. Moreover, some modern way for imparting literacy should be used rather than following the conventional methods. For this purpose the distance education mode was recommended by the researcher and a distance education model for enhancing literacy was proposed to be used in Pakistan.