NON-FORMAL EDUCATION

ISDCM has been conducting non-formal education centres in phases in its catchments areas. This programme is limited within the small scale and within the children of 6+ from the Micro-credit beneficiary families. The programme is being conducted with ISDCM own fund and initiative. It also provides logistics like books, khata, pencils etc. BRAC’s methodologies and curriculum is being followed in providing non-formal education. On completion of three years courses willing students may get their admission in the local primary schools for which ISDCM facilitates. The progress in non-formal education is shown in the following table:

Table-19 : No. of children 6+ completed non-formal education in six centres

In total 196 boys and girls of 6+ age group have completed the course during the year 2008 of whom boys are greater in number than the girls because girls’ enrolment has been increasing in primary schools. The drop out rate of boys in primary schools is more because of poverty boys had to work as labour in existing job markets to earn for their families.

1. Adult Literacy for Women Members

During the period of reporting ISDCM local Organizers have taken some initiatives to provide literacy to the women group members who cannot read or write or sign their names. The places of weekly group meeting were used as venues for literacy class. The selected books and slates were purchased by members themselves. There is no fixed duration for the course. This programme will continue in phases in different areas in small scale. The progress made in this sector is shown in the table presented below:

Table-20 : No. of Women members completed literacy course in 2008

The adult literacy programme has been in progress in phases. The women members who could not read or write even could not sign their names took immense interest in this programme and felt proud after being able to read some books, posters and signing their names instead of putting thumb impression.