VISION

Eradication of illiteracy for the over all development of the State.

MISSION

1. To develop policies and strategies aimed at eradicating illiteracy in the State.
2. Monitor and standardize the implementation of Adult and Non-Formal Education programmes in the State.
3. Network with Local Government Councils, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and individuals stakeholders, involved in literacy delivery in the State.
4. To produce a literate population that are self-reliant through skill acquisition and functional literacy.

Adult Education was a division of the Ministry of Education. It became an Agency with the establishment of an Edict No 29 of August 1988 and was gazetted in the Plateau State of Nigeria gazette No 27 volume 13 of December, 1988. The Agency continued to function as such until 27th June 2005, when the Edict was abrogated with the signing into Law, the Bill establishing the Universal Basic Education Board (UBE) by the then Executive Governor, Chief Joshua Chibi Dariye. This was gazetted in the Plateau State Gazette No 3 volume 11 of April 13th, 2006. Adult and Non-Formal Education became a Directorate of the Board under this Law. A Bill is being processed to revert Adult and Non-Formal Education back to its former status of an Agency.

OBJECTIVES

The main objectives for which the Directorate was established are as follows:-

• To lay down policies for Adult and Non-Formal Education towards eradication of illiteracy for the overall social and economic development of the State.
• To provide avenues for Continuing and Vocational Education programmes to people outside the formal school system; particularly those that are relevant to rural development.
• To Forster positive attitudinal changes among people for a sound and comprehensive development.

FUNCTIONS

In order to achieve the above objectives, the Directorate has been charged with the following responsibilities:-

• To organize and carry out literacy programmes for Adults and Young persons (Youths) in the State for the enhancement of integrated development in order to improve their modes of living.
• To develop in Adults and youth the ability to use skills acquired to enhance their knowledge and understanding of their social and physical environment in order to improve their modes of living.
• To advice on ways and means of cooperating and integrating programmes of Adult and Non-Formal Education in the State.
• To plan and implement various public mobilization and enlightenment programmes that is directed towards positive attitudinal changes for development.
• To advice on ways and means of operating the Adult and Non-Formal Education system in the State.
• To undertake research programmes in Adult and Non-Formal Education and pilot projects in the State.
• To prepare and issue reports on Adult and Non-Formal Education activities in the State; and
• To perform, promote or undertake any activities that are calculated to help achieve the purposes of Departments and the Zonal Adult Education Officers.

STRUCTURE OF THE DIRECTORATE

The Directorate of Adult and Non-Formal Education consists of the Director, the Heads of Department and the Zonal Adult Education Officers.

The Directorate has five (5) Zonal Adult Education offices located at Jos. Barkin Ladi, Pankshin, Langtang North and Shendam LGAs.

The Zonal officers work hand in hand with all the 17 Local Government Council in the State.

STAFF PROFILE.

The Directorate is headed by the Director. It has the following departments: -

• Mass Literacy
• Vocational and Continuing Education,
• Planning Research and Statistics, (PRS) and the training arm
• Adult Education Resource Centre (AERC).

Each of this department is expected to be headed by a Head of Department. The Director together with the Heads of Departments makes up the Management of the Directorate.

PROGRAMMES

Adult and Non-Formal Education is being carried out through the following programmes:-

BASIC LITERACY

This is a programme organized for illiterate Adults, youths and out of school children. It is a nine (9) months programme organized by Local Government Councils, Non-Governmental Organizations, (NGOs), Prison houses, individuals and the Directorate.

The Curriculum of this programme consists of reading, writing and numeracy. The National Adult Basic Literacy Curriculum is used in the State.

The Classes are mostly located in the rural areas and some of them are not easily accessible, especially during the rainy season. Classes are held in school buildings, community hall etc. The lessons are held three (3) times a week of two hours of contact each.

The facilitators/Instructors qualifications range from Post Literacy Certificates to Diploma holders. Most of the facilitators are not trained in the field of Adult Education. Each facilitator is expected to teach two (2) or three (3) classes in different locations. At the end of the duration of the programme, learners are examined and successful candidates are given certificates.

The learning materials consist of pencils, various exercise books, sharpeners, cleaners, etc are given to the learners free and the programme is also tuition free.

Some of the Basic Literacy beneficiaries are Prison inmates, the physically challenged persons, Workers, women, youth, nomads, migrant farmers, out of schools children etc.

Classes are held at the convenience of the learners.

POST LITERACY

This programme is organized for neo-literates (semi-literates), completers of Basic Literacy and drop-outs from Primary schools. It is a three (3) year programme leading to the award of Post Literacy Certificate, which is an equivalent of the First School Leaving Certificate.

The National Adult Post Literacy curriculum is being used alongside Primary 1 – 6 curriculums. These consist of English, Mathematics, Social Studies and General science.

These classes are mostly conducted in public, private schools, Churches, Mosques etc. They are held five (5) days a week and usually in the evening at the time suitable to the learners.

The teachers of the programme are usually drawn from the formal school system and they teach as part-time teachers. A teacher may be assigned to teach the entire subjects in one class, while two (2) or more teachers may be assigned to teach the various subjects in a class.

In this programme, the learners are made to pay a token fee ranging from N300.00 – N500.00 a month. They also buy their learning materials. At the end of the programme the learners write the post literacy examination conducted by the Directorate for Adult and Non-Formal Education, successful grandaunds are given Post Literacy Certificates and they either mainstream into the formal school programme or continue with the Adult and Non-Formal Education. The programme follows the formal school calendar year. Most of the Post Literacy Centres in the State are owned by individuals and NGOs.

VOCATIONAL AND COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRES

These are centres where people acquire professional skills, vocations and computer literacy.

The entire centres are owned by organizations and individuals. The owners/Proprietors of these centres charge their learners fees and they in turn pay approved registration and renewal fees to the Government. Some of the skills taught in this programme include draughtsman-ship pomade, soap making, wielding, fashion design etc.

CONTINIUNG EDUCATION

It comprises of Extra mural/Tutorial/Evening/Holiday classes. The programme prepares candidates outside the formal school system to write recognized external examinations. The learners include traders, market women, house wives, house maids, workers, school drop outs and those who did not make up their papers in the formal school system. It also serves as extra lessons for those in the formal school system.

ADULT EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE (AERC)

This is the training arm of the Directorate. It is located along Jos- Bukuru road, behind WAEC office. It trains Adult Education field staff and private candidates from within and outside the State for a period of 1 year. After this training, successful graduands can proceed to read Certificate in Adult Education.

FUTURE PLANS

1. Opening and running of Basic, Post Literacy classes, Vocational and Continuing Education Centres by the Agency to increase the number of NFE centres in the State.
2. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of the block of three (3) classrooms, principal’s office, toilets and a store burnt down at the Adult Education Resource Centre (AERC) Jos.
3. Reactivation of:-
   1. One (1) Area Adult Education Office in each of the Seventeen (17) L.G.Cs. in the State.
   2. Worker Education classes for all illiterate and semi-illiterate workers.
4. Support the opening of Girl-Child Education Centres in the remaining three (3) L.G.Cs. namely Qua’an Pan, Riyom and Shendam.
5. Intervention of Western Education into the identified Quranic/Tsangaya Centres in the State.
6. Purchase of vehicles for regular monitoring and supervision of all Adult and Non-Formal Education programmes in the State.
7. Conducting workshops, seminars and refresher courses regularly at the Adult Education Resource Centre for Adult Education personnel in the State.
8. Building of hostel accommodation at the AERC so that more students can be admitted and accommodated conveniently.
9. Opening, running and monitoring of literacy by Radio centres in the State.
10. Regular advocacy and sensitization visits to policy makers at the state and LGC levels to enlighten them on all Adult Education programmes.
11. Media publicity of the activities of Adult and Non-Formal Education programmes at the State and L.G.C. levels, thus creating awareness in the general public
12. Fencing of AERC should be done to prevent encroachment on the land

PLATEAU STATE ADULT AND NON-FORMAL EDUCATION ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2013

ACHIEVEMENTS

Inspite of all the challenges the State and Local Government Councils faced in the year 2013, the following activities were carried out-:

1. Teaching, learning materials and equipment were distributed to the 17 L.G.Cs and some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the State.
2. There was monitoring and supervision of Adult and Non-Formal Education programmes by officers at the Zonal and Local Government Council levels.
3. The State Government reconstituted a five-man (5) Board members for the State Directorate for Adult and Non-Formal Education. They have since started sitting.
4. Approvals to operate were given to five (5) vocational centres in the State and inspections were carried out on 19 others awaiting approval.
5. The Adult Education Resource Centre successfully graduated Twenty Three (23) students from the Basic Certificate programme.
6. The centre also graduated Nine (9) women from the Special Home Craft programme.
7. Staff of the Centre went round and supervised the students on teaching practice as well as mobilized candidates for 2013/2014 intake.
8. A one (1) week training was organized for One Hundred and Eleven (111) facilitators from Barkin Ladi, Pankshin, Qua’an Pan, Wase L.G.Cs and Justice Peace and Reconciliation Movement (JPRM) on Revitalizing Adult and Youth Literacy (RAYL) in Nigeria by UNESCO/NMEC in conjunction with the State Government.

Action plan to move the Plateau State Agency for Adult and Non-Formal Education Forward.

1. Opening and running of Basic, Post Literacy classes, Vocational and Continuing Education centres by the Directorate to increase the number of NFE centres in the State.
2. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Three (3) classrooms, principal office, toilets and a store burnt down at the Adult Education Resource Centre (AERC) Jos.
3. Reactivation of:-
   1. One (1) Area Adult Education Office in each of the seventeen (17) L.G.Cs in the State.
   2. Workers Education classes for all illiterate and semi-literate workers in all Ministries, Boards and Parastatals in the State.
4. Support the opening of Girl – Child Education Centres in the remaining three (3) L.G.Cs namely Qua’an-Pan, Riyom and Shendam.
5. Intervention of Western Education into the identified Quranic/tsangaya Centres in the State.
6. Purchase of vehicles for regular monitoring and supervision of all Adult and Non-Formal Education programmes in the State.
7. Conducting workshops, seminars and refresher courses regularly at the Adult Education Resource Centre for adult education personnel in the State.
8. Building of hostel accommodation at the AREC so that more students can be admitted and accommodated conveniently.
9. Opening, running and monitoring of literacy by Radio centres in the state.
10. Regular advocacy and sensitization visits to policy makers at the state, and L.G.C levels to enlighten them on all adult education programmes.
11. Media publicity of the activities of adult and non-formal education programmes at the State and L.G.C levels, thus creating awareness in the general public on NFE programmes.
12. Regular meeting with stakeholders of adult education programmes, example Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) CBOs, Development Associations, Proprietors of Adult Education programmes, Heads of Units (HOUs) Adult Education, Directors of Social Services (DSS) Supervisory Councilors, etc.
13. Vigorously pursue proper data generation, collection, collation, and proper record keeping for easy accessibility.
14. Organizing special workshops for data collectors.
15. Periodic evaluation of all adult and non-formal programmes in the State.