Greater transparency urged in adult literacy campaign

New Delhi, July 21 (UNI) Jan Shikshan Sansthan Chairmen were urged today to ensure more transparency and quality in delivery of adult literacy, a programme launched in 1988 by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Presiding over a convention of 172 Sansthans Chairmen in New Delhi, Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh said the Literacy Mission was a dream of late Rajiv Gandhi.

What started off as a bid to improve workers' and dependents' vocational skills and quality of life, has tried in the last 17 years to cover groups in urban areas and migrants to cities.

Its focus has shifted to neo-literates and unskilled and unemployed youth in districts and rural areas across India.

The Mission was intended to reach out to the people and democratise literacy campaign. The programme had a direct interface with people as well as the HRD Department.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for HRD D Purandeswari called on the Sansthans to be more transparent in their functioning and hold regular Management Board meetings.

She urged the Sansthans Chairmen to ensure that the programme quality is not compromised and the beneficiaries find gainful employment after training.

Mission Director General Vandana K Jena told audience that the Sansthans did 'particularly well' in providing trained functionaries and giving beneficiaries life enriching education.

She said it also gave away information on such conditions as Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome.

Speakers emphasised mainstreaming the Sansthans and focusing on entrepreneurship and professional development projects. They also stressed developing a web based exchange system to respond to problems Sansthans face.

HRD Additional Secretary KM Acharya stressed that each Sansthan develop independently and be accountable to stakeholders and certificates they issue be standardised.

Sansthan delegates suggested several improvements, including a review of the existing guidelines, more stringent scrutiny of applications for new Sansthans and attention to Northeastern region.

Arjun Singh welcomed the suggestions and promise serious consideration of each.

He announced the formation of a Committee under the Chairmanship of Mrs Purandeswari to consider the suggestions.

The Committee would have representatives of the Department as well as the Sansthans in various parts of the country and report within four months.

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