Total Literacy can be achieved by Campaign mode-Dr.K.Govindaraju

Dr.K.Govindarajan  on TLC,Shri.Rajeev Ranjan,IAS present

 Dr.K.Govindaraju, President of Tamilnadu Board of Continuing Education in the past mentioned, “The Total Literacy Campaigns (TLC) model is now accepted as the dominant strategy for eradication of adult illiteracy in India. These campaigns are area-specific, time-bound, volunteer-based, cost-effective and outcome-oriented. The thrust is on attainment of functional literacy through prescribed norms of literacy and numeracy. The learner is the focal point in the entire process and measurement of learning outcome is continuous, informal, and participative and non-threatening. The campaign is implemented in stages, which may be overlapping at times. These should be understood clearly and followed meticulously. Preparing the Ground - The initiation of a total literacy campaign begins with a process of consultation and consensus, involving political parties, teachers, students and cultural groups. A core team is identified and the project is formulated. Creation of the Organisational Structure - The campaigns are implemented through district-level literacy committees which are registered under the Societies Registration Act as independent and autonomous bodies to provide a unified umbrella under which a number of individuals and organizations’ work together. Leadership is provided by the district collector/chief secretary and the zila parishad (district council). All sections of society are given due representation in planning and implementation of the programme. The structure rests on three pillars - participatory people's committees, full-time functionaries and area coordinators, and a support system provided by government officials. It forms an interactive and a communicative process of management and implementation. The campaign is delivered through volunteers without any expectation of reward or incentive. Survey and District Profile - A detailed survey is conducted in the district, to enumerate and identify the non-literate people. The process of the survey also provides opportunities for person contact and interaction. During the survey, volunteer teachers and master trainers are also identified. Environment Building - This is an extremely important part of the total literacy campaigns, where mass mobilisation takes place through a multifaceted communication strategy, which creates the right environment and enthusiasm for teaching-learning activities. The success of a total literacy campaign depends to a large extent, on the effectiveness with which all sections of society are mobilised. The basic objective of the environment building stage is to generate a demand for literacy. Its momentum has to be sustained - it must not merely precede the campaign, but pervade it throughout. Environment building includes: Mobilising public opinion, creating community participation, Sensitising educated sections of the community and recruiting them as volunteers”. Govin