POST LITERACY CAMPAIGN IN TINSUKIA, ASSAM
 BY TINSUKIA ZILLA SAKHYARATA SAMITY
The Tinsukia District of Assam is one of the pioneer District of North-East India to launch a mass movement to achieve total literacy under TOTAL LITERACY CAMPAIGN. The Total literacy programme (TLC) launched under the banner of Tinsukia ZIlla Sakhyarata Samiti, a scoity registered under socity registration act, XXI of 1860 (Regd. No. 1848/93-94) in may 1994.
The TZSS received overwhelming public response and resulting to successful completion of this TLC project in February’1996 and the evaluation was done by State Institute of Education, Jorhat, Assam and they submited the final report in July 1997.
Subsequently, the Director of Non-formal and Adult Education, Govt. of Assam directed the Member-Secretary of TZSS to submit the project report for Post-literacy campaign at an early date.
After submission of the project report within specified time, the programme of PLC was approved by Govt. of India for Tinsukia District. But the required fund for the programme was received only in 2001 and immediately from May 2001 the programme of PLC has been started by TZSS.
TARGET GROUP FOR POST LITERACY
The Post-literacy programmes should be open to everybody who takes reading and learning as a way to enrich life. However, Post literacy programmes should be specifically designed to serve :
  • Neo-literate in age-group 15-35 years.
  • Semi-literates/Drop-outs from the basic literacy phase.
  • Drop-outs from primary schools.
  • Pass-outs from Non Formal Education Programmes.
    • DEFINING POST-LITERACY OBJECTIVES
    The key aim of post-literacy programme is to ensure that participants become adequately functionally literate.
    The ultimate aim of this programme is therefore, to help participants become true autonomous learners in the broadest and best sense of that term.
    Since Post-literacy programmes have to be developed in the context of life-long education, these have to fulfill four major goals, namely :
    Remedition The main aims of the post-literacy programmes is to remedy the deficiencies of learning in the basic literacy phase and to help the neo-literates reach the desired level of achievement.
    Continuation Post-Literacy is a bridge towards autonomous learning. It facilitate transition from guided learning to a self-reliant level of learning and thus create the possibility of making a neo-literate a life long learner.
    Application The learners must learn to apply the acquired skills towards improving their quality of life. Post-literacy programmes is so designed as to help neo-literates attain the ability to use the newly acquired skills and make them adequately functionally literate.
    Communitisation Post-literacy programmes must help new-literates to organise themselves for securing services under programmes related to health, family welfare, child care, nutrition,agriculture, animal husbandry etc.
    ORGANISATIONAL STRATEGIES
    Setting up of Saksharata Samities at different levels – from village to the District. Two-three neo-literates should associated with each village/gram panchayat/ward level committee.
    There should be constant dialogue, communication and co-ordination among committees at different level.
    Functionaries of Health Department e.g. Health Assistants/Supervisors, Panchayat Raj Functionaries, Head Masters of local primary schools and local library workers must be associated with Gram Panchayat/ Ward level Committees..
    Representatives of different mass organisations, especially of students, youth, woman and ICDS workers should be included in the Panchayat/ Ward Committees.
    A monitoring Committee with the convenors of Gram Panchayat/ Ward level committes. Health Assistants, Head Masters of Schools and other responsible citizens as members should be set up at each Gram Panchayat/ Ward level.
    Whole-time workers may be engaged at block/ district level to provide organisational and management support.
    ESTABLISHMENT OF PARHAGARS/RURAL LIBRARY
    In each village or habitation where the number of neo-literate is substantial and where Shikshan Kendra already exist, small parhaghars (learning Center) or library were setup having a reading room where neo-literates could meet and discuss together and share their knowledge.
    TRAINING
    Adequate training were given to the master trainers by Adult Education Deptt./Zilla Sakhyarata Samity Who in turn train voluntary workers/teachers to teach in the rural areas.
    ORGANISATIONAL SETUP OF TZSS
    Post Literacy Advisory Council
    The Council is constituted with the Local Minister, M.P., M.L.A., Commissioner UAD, Secretary to the Govt. of Assam with representative of Public and Private Sector, Municipal bodies and Intellectuals. Deputy Commissioner is the President and Member-Secretary will be the convenor.
    Executive Committee of TZSS
    The District Level Committee will be headed by Deputy Commissioner as Chairman. Executive Committee will be responsible for execution and implementation of various phases of PLC from time to time.
    Sub-Divisional Committee of TZSS
    There are two sub-divisional committee for Margherita and Sadiya sub-division who acts on behalf of TZSS.
    Block Level Samity of TZSS
    Gaon Panchayat Level Siksha Samity
    Village/Tea Garden/Ward Level Siksha Samity
    All these Samities will work on behalf on TZSS in different areas covering various fields of the entier district.
    Action calendar for PLC in Tinsukia District
    March 2002 8th MarchGeneral Meeting
    11th MarchTraining Programme for Voluntary Teachers
    18th MarchInauguration of educational programme in the District.
    April 2002 1st April to 20th April Continuation of Educational programme
    22nd April to 25th April Organisation of sports meet and quiz programme for student of Neo-literate group
    May 20021st May to 20th May Training and Guidance for self employment
    21st May to 30th May Supervision of Programmes
    June 20021st June to 22nd June Conclusion of Educational Programme
    23rd June onwards Inauguration of continuing education