Non Formal Primary Education: Literacy for All

Literacy for All is a Non Formal Primary Education Program, otherwise known as NFE. NFE is a flexible environment of learning for marginalized populations of mixed ages, utilizing the formal education curriculum, but allowing for the more difficult lives that these populations lead. Starting and ending times are less rigid, providing student the time they need to perform houshold chores, or participate in other essential family survival activities. In addition, class sizes are considerably smaller in order to provide more individual help for the students. Recognizing that the majority of the students will not have had breakfast, or have a lunch to bring, an in school feeding program is also provided, with contributions of maize, labour and firewood from the community.

PHILOSOPHY

All NFE centers, programs and related activities are based on the belief that:

  1. A literate society is the prime means of eliminating poverty and ending civil strife;
  2. Education is a basic human right;
  3. Strong community involvement is essential to the development and maintenance of an excellent community development program.

GOALS

The goals of  NFE centers are:

  1. To improve the quality and delivery of education available to communities in Kakamega District;
  2. To maintain strong Community Based Management committees capable of managing and coordinating the opoeration of the community schools, obtaining funding from a variety of local sources, and participate in the development of their communities.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of NFE centers are:

  1. To set up and manage Non Formal Education centers for out of school children and youth between the ages of 8 and 17 in Kakamega District in Western Province of Kenya;
  2. To foster parental involvement in the growth and development of NFE programs;
  3. To mobilize and sensitize the total community on matters affecting the education of the community's children and youth
  4. To provide primary health care education, and disseminate knowledge about HIV/AIDS to children, youth and adults involved in NFE centers

VISION

Within a five year period, 9 existing NFE centers will provide basic education, basic health care education, and HIV/AIDS awareness programs to at least 1600 children and youth within Kakamega District.

HISTORY OF NFE CENTERS

The current model of ACCES Non Formal Education centers was formed in response to needs identified by volunteers and staff working for the African Canadian Continuing Education Society (ACCES). This initial prject was called LIFA (Literacy For All). It all began when a survey taken in 1998 revealed that over 10,000 children in Kakamega municipality of Western Province of Kenya were not attending school because of poverty.

 When this survey was shared with the President of ACCES (which provided post-secondary scholarships to students in Kakamega District), the reach of ACCES was expanded to include a pilot Basic Literacy Project that established literacy centers in two villages, Imbale and Shitaho.

An evaluation of the pilot Basic Literacy Project revealed multiple challenges related to monitoring and evaluating the literacy centers, sustaining and expanding the literacy centers, and accessing needed funds to augment the funding provided by ACCES. In response to these challenges, the LIFA project was incorporated as a Community Based Organization with the Ministry Of Culture And Social Services on 11 December 2001.

Under LIFA management, the two literacy classes have grown into nine Non-Formal Education (NFE) centers, recognized by the Ministry Of Education Science And Technology Of Kenya, enrolling over 1300 learners between the ages of 8 and 17 years. These learners are taught by a staff of 42 teachers, supported by a Program Coordinator and key ACCES personnel, including Program Coordinators, the ACCES accountant, community health nurse and office manager.

An ongoing professional development program enables teachers to enhance their instructional and management skills, and provides support for the implementation of new curriculum and social programs. Key to this growth was the ongoing support provided both by ACCES.

ACCES Agents and Rep have pioneered the integration of basic health education and HIV/AIDS awareness into the instructional program followed in the NFE centers. Teachers have been trained on tropical health and hygiene issues, HIV/AIDS campaign approaches, and the institution of basic health checks as a way of monitoring and reducing common ailments and communicable diseases among the learners.

ACCES continues to conduct mobilization and awareness campaigns in communities within Kakamega District to increase community awareness and ownership of the NFE centres. Evidence of community involvement fostered by the LIFA project includes active management committees at each center, donation of land for construction of three school buildings, provision of free labour for construction of furniture, classrooms and latrines, and parent contributions to the feeding program.

As these cneters continue to grow and mature, they will eventually be taken over by the Kenyan government under the support of the ministry of Education, completing the process of sustainability and leaving a legacy of a fully functioning school and learning center in a community that had nothing only a few short years ago.