Population (approx.)115 millionLiteracy StatisticsOverall: 57.1%Male: 67.3%Female: 47.3%GNP Per Capita (US Dollars)$870Source: The World Bank Development Indicators, 1996; CIA World Fact Book 1997 |
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Country Report presented by Beatrice E. Agujiobi
Since the 1991 Education For All proclamation, the Nigerian government has become more involved in literacy efforts. Agencies for mass literacy at the state level have been tasked with implementation responsibilities and many states have adopted the "Linking Approach," which focuses on grass-roots needs assessment.
The Enugu state has chosen six communities for its pilot programs and the approach has been largely successful, registering about 600 learners per center, as opposed to the normal literacy program rate of 30-40 participants.
To begin the process, state agency representatives held meetings in each of the pilot areas with community leaders, school and church leaders, students, and teachers to discuss their needs and the specifics of a local literacy program. The outcome was that they realized people don't just want to learn how to read and write; they want something extra--this was especially the case with the unemployed and school-dropouts. What they wanted, organizers found, was vocational skills, in addition to literacy, agricultural, health, and civic education information.
After recruiting teachers, locating a site, and targeting the learner groups (school leavers, illiterates, neo-literates), the programs implemented in the six communities offered, in addition to the literacy program, a 3-4 month vocational training program in such skills as material design, beading, soap making, body/hair cream production, knitting, and baking. A micro-loan scheme and agency shop for selling the products are added features of the program. An additional focus has been on health and environmental projects such as improving sanitation and protection against erosion.
Country Report presented by Roseleen O. Akinroye
An example of a successful literacy program in Nigeria is implemented by the Child-Life Line Association. This organization was formed in 1995 in response to a survey which revealed a large increase in the number of street children in the six major cities of Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Kogi, Rivers, and Abia States. In Lagos alone, the survey revealed, there were approximately 10, 000 homeless children and youths who were school drop-outs and who not able to read. Child Life-Line was formed to look after the welfare, education and health of these abandoned children.
The educational portion of the program includes classes in remedial English, health science, functional mathematics, social studies, physical science, and life science, as well as other functional knowledge and skills that will enable the children to become effective and self-sufficient citizens. Vocational training such as tye dye, shoe cobbling, tailoring, and carpentry is also offered.
The project started with two full-time managers and four part-time officers. Initially, about 10 boys were taken off the streets of Lagos, but the number has now increased to 25 boys. The boys are provided with food, shelter, education, and health services at the center.
The boys are taught on a one-on-one basis and at the end of 12 months they are given a test. Those who pass are mainstreamed into the formal schools and encouraged to sit for a First School Leaving Certificate. Of the 25 boys, three gained admission to Secondary School, five were absorbed by the primary school, and others enrolled in apprenticeship training while still attending literacy lessons at the center.
Current plans for this pilot project are to expand it to reach more
boys and to also include girls in the program. The Association also plans
to include more vocational skills training in the program and intends to
start an agricultural project to provide skills training for the children
and as well as a source of food.
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY
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