Adult Education: A Tale of Empowerment Denied

The literacy mission lost in 1993 the momentum it had gathered from 1989 to 1992. Campaign managers and administrators sitting in Delhi and in state headquarters had belied the hopes of thousands. It is now widely known that the literacy classes could not be sustained everywhere and that the continuing education programme was a non-starter. Shoddy planning, red tape and the unfortunate lack of continuity in the policies and practices of the government (as represented by senior officers) led to the demise of an otherwise exciting process. Studies conducted in Birbhum, Bilaspur and Dumka districts by the Centre for Media Studies, New Delhi in 1998 confirmed the worst fears of observers. Not much literacy happened, though people might have learnt to sign their names. But the campaign did lead to greater demand for primary education for children.