About Us

Continuing Education

1.0 Literacy
1.1 Literacy is one of the important characteristics of the demography as per census definition any one who can read and write with understanding is treated literate. Directorate of Adult Education, MHRD, GOI, New Delhi has defined Literacy as “The ability to read, write and calculate and as per the State, A person who can write, read and calculate, termed as literate. However, children below the age of 7 years have been treated as illiterates, event if He or She may able to read and write with understanding. When literacy rate is calculated the population of 0-6 years age group is excluded.

1.2 Literacy rate of Gujarat since year 1951 to year 2001.

The above statement indicated that the literacy of the male and female increased in past decades. Since the year 1951 to year 2001 literacy rate in the Gujarat State shoot up from 21.82% to 69.97% an increase of 48.15%. Male literacy showed an increase of 50.18% during 1951-2001. An increase of 45.73% was observed for female literacy during the years 1951-2001. Gujarat Literacy, as usual remained higher then National average for all the Census since independence.

Total literacy of Ahmedabad 79.89% is higher in the state, male literacy is highest in the Gnadhinagar district 87.92%, where as lowest male literacy observed 59.45% in Dahod. Highest female literacy 71.12% in Ahmedabad, lowest female literacy 31.87% in Dahod.

Female literacy rate in the decade has improved considerable in comparison to male literacy. Female literacy stretched by 9.69%, male literacy increased by 8.68% (year 1991-2001).

Souce: CENSUS – 2001 Publication no. 25, Part-I

1.3 Aspects related to increase literacy rate.
In order to reduce dropouts, retaining students and to enroll more girl child emphasize should be given on Elementary Education in the age group of 6 to 14, if 100% Enrollment is achieved and dropout ratio is reduced considerably a stage will arrive when literacy compaign will not be required in the age group of 15 to 35 +, funds of this age group can be utilize for development of Elementary Education.

1.4 Environment is required to be created for women, where they can demand knowledge and information, empowering themselves to change their lives.

1.5 Highlight the plight of the Girl child and focus on need of universalisation of Elementary Education.

1.6 Illiterates of age group 15 to 35 + should be made literate with reference to sources available locally, in turn upliftment of Socio economic status, this age group designate a person to be a Socially and economically responsible for his family. Training should be imparted in the Vocational fields, so that after learning one can generate income through self employment and shoot up the life standards. The column of the said age group and above age shoould be with inducted in the CENUS performas, with reference to literacy to have the illiterate and literate details categorically with reference to age groups.

2.0 Adult Education Schemes
In the Gujarat State, the Adult Education Programme got momentum since the year 1978 with the induction of National Adult Education Programme followed by Rural Functional Literacy Programme. In these programmes awareness was created regaering literacy with reference to socio-economic development among the age group of 15-35 years and above. The State Adult Education Programme was launched in the year 1980-81 by engaging the night classes in the class rooms.

In the year 1986, Mass Programme for Functional Literacy was started. The services of NSS youth was taken during the comapgn. In these, years 68,12,851 illiterates were covered under different schemes.

2.1 Total Literacy Compaign
Total Literacy was launched from the year 1992-98 in the various districts to provide basic literacy skills to the illiterate population in the age group of 9-35 years. Under the programme, 69.48 lacs learners were identified though survey. The total enrollment of learners was 45.83 lacs, an achievement of 65.96%.

2.2 Post Literacy Programme
Post Literacy Programme was launched from the year 1993-98. The objective of he programme was self-directed, learning-through, library service, newspaper reading, discussion centre and training of vocational skill programmes. Under the programme 30.40 lacs neo-literates attended the programme, out of which 28.12 lacs have completed the prescribed course, an achievement of 92.50%.

3.0 Continuing Education Programme
The matrix of programmes that constitute the scheme of Continuing Education, is both a stage in the educational journey of a learner and progression attainment because an illiterate person passes through the phases of basic literacy and develops a strong demand of further learning inputs. It is also an ideal state because ultimately, what all of us seek, is a social environment in which knowledge and information are important determinants of human development. To fulfill the objectives of the programme, the structure of Continuing Education Centres (CECs) and Nodal Continuing Education Centres (NCECs) has been envisaged in the scheme. Ordinarily, one CEC is to be set up for a population of about 2000 to 2500 in a village so that it caters to the needs of at least 500 to 1000 neo-literates. Relaxation is permitted in sparsely populated areas. One NCEC will be established as the basis of cluster of 10-15 CECs.

3.1 In the Gujarat State Continuing Education Programme was commenced from the year 1999. Under the programme grant was allocated phase wise. At present 23 districts and 2 Municipal Corporations are covered. During the programme 37.78 lacs Neo-literates are to be covered. Against this target, total beneficiaries covered is 12,78,488 companies of 6,96,170 male and 5,61,315 female. Scheduled Caste 1,50,469 and Scheduled Tribe 1,60,786.

3.2 Human Resource
Under the old pattern, in the year 1999, 8 districts were covered. As per the pattern in the Nodal and Continuing Education Centres only Preraks were appointed. As per the provisions of the notification of MHRD, GOI, New Delhi, dt. 5-5-2000, 15 districts and 2 Municipal Corporations were covered under Continuing Education Programme. Preraks and Assistant Preraks were selected by ZSS as per the prescribed guidelines by NLM, MRD, GOI, New Delhi.

In order to increase the female participation preference is given to appojnt female Prerak at local level.

At present total 18,363 Preraks/Assistant Preraks are extending their services. Total of 6,518 female Preraks / Assistant Preraks are appointed in various districts. The number of SC & ST Preraks / Assistant Preraks is 3,697 and 2,240 respectively.