An Assessment of Ethiopia’s Progress towards Attaining Integrated Functional Adult Literacy
Abstract
The intent of this review was to see the progress Ethiopia is making in achieving 4th EFA goal, reducing adult illiteracy by 50% by 2015. In so doing, an attempt was made to review international and national reports regarding the progress of the country towards the goal taking four indicators: budget allotment, facilitators’ training and recruitment, stakeholders’ collaboration and adult literacy rate. From the reviewed documents, it was found out that although the budget allotment for adult literacy is irregular and minimal compared to other types of education, it has been increasing from time to time. On the other hand, available data shows that facilitators are grade 10 (even below) complete volunteers or part-time teachers, development agents or health extension workers who work without proper training and payment in a certain community. With regard to collaboration among stakeholders in implementing Functional Adult Literacy, despite the signing of MoU among ministries and willingness and encouragement made by the Ministry of Education to work collaboratively with stakeholders, the role of implementing FAL has almost been left to the Ministry of Education and its regional, zonal and wereda offices. As to the literacy rate, although the progresses in enrolment in FAL are encouraging, Ethiopia inevitably seems far from achieving the adult literacy rate by 2015 as intended. In the end, achievements gained and gaps identified are summarized and possible ways are forwarded on issues that need attention for post-EFA.References
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