2014 Literacy Report and Evaluation
by Cecilia Amankwah
As an untiring advocate for Engage Now Africa’s literacy program in both urban and rural impoverished communities in Ghana, I oftentimes contemplate about the importance of literacy/numeracy and it’s positive impact on the underprivileged and marginalized.
What is it about literacy that is worthy of precious resources in dismal financial times?
In my opinion, literacy is a human right, and Ghana is truly blessed to be benefiting from the vision, support and commitment of Engage Now Africa founding members.
Being able to read, write and communicate ideas and thoughts globally defines human kind. Literacy is in every sense of the word, a critical license to participating in daily activity of any kind, and certainly, to obtaining and maintaining a living wage. We at Engage Now Africa recognize that learning to read and write and possessing skills of numeracy form a major foundation for both academic and vocational success in the various communities. Whilst we may face challenges in implementing ENA iteracy programs, the demand for ENA literacy in Ghana amidst other initiatives, attests to its efficacy and effectiveness.
We are results oriented and take several factors into consideration in connection with the design of ENA educational materials, mode of delivery and implementation, participants monitoring and evaluation. We emphasize the importance of training and utilization of effective instructors and facilitators who understand the special needs of adult participants. Our curriculum is structured to accommodate the various working schedules of our adult participants. Due to the uniqueness and success attributed to our literacy program, the ENA board has proposed using it as a model throughout Ghana and beyond. ENA staff embarks on several field trips to participate and also send feedback to the board. The complexities of literacy programs require a blend of strategic approaches and perspectives and we at ENA have fine-tuned our program to ensure efficient delivery to
participants.
Please find below some of the factors we at ENA take into consideration in administering and evaluating our literacy program.
Good leadership, organizational structure & support;
Good feasibility studies/research & community involvement;
Student centered environments & adequate time allotment to reading/assignments;
Assessments based on multiple measures that work;
We at ENA stress the importance of our literacy program evaluation to address the specific needs of our participants and the factors we take into consideration include the following:
How ENA literacy program improves participant’s learning, behavior and general confidence.
How extensively and consistently classes take place and how instructors/facilitators use approved ENA instructional literacy materials.
Approved EN measures instructors/facilitators use to bridge the learning curve of participants and also make learning more interactive and fun. We pay attention to special needs participants and encourage tutoring.
The duration of time needed to complete programs, organize graduation ceremonies and recommendations for post literacy programs.
Are participants better off than when they first got into the program?
Please find outlined organizations piloting Engage Now Africa’s literacy programs in Ghana.
Peace Corps volunteers (Western and Northern Regions)
Yekoanim NGO (Kwahu Tafo)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints- Ghana Accra Mission – Abomosu District, Asamankese District, Kasua Stake & Adenta Stake
Yedaakye Micro-credit groups
We began the year with 262 literacy participants and 20 instructors. Literacy enrollment has increased to 1100 participants with 76 instructors. This translates into about 76% increment. Factors contributing to this tremendous growth are new areas and groups that have been introduced in places like the Northern region, Accra, Danpong in the Ashanti region and Nkawkaw in the Eastern region. Bia East in the western region and 70 male participants in Ada Island who joined the literacy program because of the positive changes they saw in their women.
We had a very successful literacy graduation ceremony at Kwahu Tafo in which 27 participants out of 30 graduated with ertificates in June and Abomosu district where 51 participants graduated with certificate in September this year. We made a projection for 1000 participants by the end of the year 2014, but exceeded our target by 100 participants. We are hoping to also extend the literacy program to all the 10 regions in Ghana and beyond by the end of 2015 with anticipation of 2500 literacy participants. My vision would be to eradicate illiteracy throughout Africa, promote viable community based developmental projects and empower literacy participants to be self-reliant in all aspects. I hope to continue on the path to being an untiring advocate for literacy.
In my capacities as ENA Director of Literacy/Country Director and by virtue of my numerous field trips, I have had firsthand experiences and interactions with literacy participants, facilitators, honorable members of parliaments, community chiefs, queens, peace corps, church leaders from various districts and municipalities other personalities or organizations piloting the ENA literacy program.
The quantifiable statistics of the rural population denote or highlight the following characteristics or factors: 1. Abject poverty and 2. High level of illiteracy as opposed to the urban demographics. Lack of infrastructure and amenities to cater for the rural population. These prevailing conditions do not attract highly skilled professionals who rather migrate to the major cities for employment. This has been the “status quo” and hence the need for ENA to address the literacy needs of these impoverished communities. My personal observation is ENA would achieve even better results if it incorporates or extend other initiatives such as micro-credit, personal Hygiene and other projects to empower communities as a whole. My recommendation would be to integrate literacy skills with life changing skills coupled with community development projects to motivate adult literacy participants. My view is our method is effective, unique, replicable and sustainable. We will continue to embark on measures to fine-tune the literacy program to ensure its successful continuity. I encourage instructors/facilitators to progressively introduce literacy and numeracy following assessment and placement of literacy participants. Our approach is learner-centered and equal class participation as opposed to just receiving lectures. I also observed that the included visuals as outlined in the ENA student manuals and other learning aids bridge the learning curve of participants and make learning more interactive and fun. As a liaison I accept feedbacks from participants, instructors/facilitators, community leaders and other entities piloting the ENA literacy program and proactively relay information to my boss for effective measures and solutions to contain challenges. Since the inception of the ENA literacy program, we have been able to bring families and communities together. We have been able to educate communities to promote personal hygiene to curb diseases. We have been instrumental in motivating literacy participants into accepting church callings and other key positions in their communities. I have observed a general boost in confidence as participants become more knowledgeable to function positively in their communities. I have also documented reports of literacy participants who have benefited from ENA initiatives such as Micro- Credit to grow their businesses.
It gives me the utmost joy and satisfaction to be a part of this wonderful and effective literacy program, knowing that we can bring positive changes in the lives of people who thought they could not fully function in society because they were illiterate. ENA is really a blessing to Africa, more especially to the people of Ghana.]]>
