Adult Literacy Programs in the Maldives Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Adult Literacy Programs in the Maldives. Answer: Case Study: Adult Literacy Programs in the Maldives The Maldives has a literacy rate that is quite high at over 90 per cent due to the high enrolment in learning institutions from the primary level to the higher learning institutions. The Maldives system of schooling is free and the burden of sending a child to school is relatively low for the parent. The community as a whole attaches much importance to the formal education and encourages their children to attend school. (International, B.P.U, 2015).English is increasingly becoming the new medium of instruction at all levels of learning and is replacing Dhivehi which was the medium of teaching in the early classes. The need for self-actualization at the later stages of life in the need to get a formal education is the reason why some NGOs are offering adult education programs for adults who wish to learn. The adult education programs have managed to achieve some measure of success despite a few challenges they have met along the way. Background of Education in the Maldives The traditional system of education in the Maldives was founded on a privately owned set=up where informal education was given in madrasa, makhtab or edhuruge. These informal schools that existed in the Maldives before the introduction of forma education were self-sustaining and financed. With the introduction of formal systems of western education in the 1960s called for a new direction in the education sector in the Maldives. The government decided to retain dome features of the old system while adapting the new western education. The western model of education primarily used English s the medium of teaching and learning and was initially limited to the capital Male. (Griffith Smith, 2014). The need to embrace western education resulted from the desired national goals of development that could only be achieved with increased literacy. The public school system that was adopted in the Maldives was patterned after the British system of education. The need for harmonization in the education system led the government to draft a unified national education policy that has been operational since 1978. This unified system works under a 12 year cycle of learning that is broken down to 5-2-3-2. There is five years of primary schooling which is followed by two years of middle level learning. The secondary schooling is divided into three years of junior secondary that culminates in two years of senior secondary schooling.(Reiser Commonwealth Secretariat, 2012).The final exam administered is based on the British education standards. Education in the Maldives is heavily dependent on government at all the levels of schooling. The only part that does not receive a lot of government support is the pre-school level which is not free and parents have to pay for their childrens education. (Majumdar, 2011). The lack of support from the government has galvanized some NGOs to step in and provide free pre-schooling education for children at that age. It is mandatory for all learning institutions to offer free education from the first grade to the seventh grade. There are some privately run schools but most schools are government run or supported. The National Curriculum in the Maldives is closely intertwined with Islamic principles and framework. The educational goals are integrated within the national objectives that are guided by Islamic values and beliefs. (Ercetin Banerjee, 2015).The ministry of education drafts the desired objectives for the education sector and works closely with the Educational Development Centre to actualize the objectives into implementable curriculum. The National Curriculum offers seven subjects at the primary level: Mathematics, English, Dhiveshi, Islam, Environmental Studies, Practical Arts and Physical Education. The Social Studies subject replaces Environmental Studies at the Secondary level. The design of the curricula for Islamic and Dhivehi subjects takes on a local approach. Background of the Organization The organization for this Case Study has been operating in the Maldives for the last fifteen years and has spread its activities to the entire atolls that make up the nation of the Maldives. The organization was founded with the aim of promoting environmental management that was sustainable after the aftermath of the Tsunami that devastated the Maldives. (Shaw, 2015). Their approach is to offer adult education that is at the same time attached to raising eco-warriors within their communities that will be at the fore-front of bringing about change in their communities. The adult education program is tied to the environmental learning and awareness that builds capacity to the local island communities. The long-term goal is build capacity and awareness of the preservation of the environment, health and risk that is associated with the damage of the environment within the local community. (Bank, 2015). The program targets adults who are seeking to get a formal education as the key drivers and brand ambassadors of their program which has proved to be a success. The syllabus used by the organization is simple and targets the grasp of English as a medium of instruction from which the other material that involves environmental learning can be introduced. The learning is open to any person above the age of sixteen years which aims to capture the young adults who may not have had the opportunity of getting a formal education. The organization uses a simple grade one textbook that is used which is specific to the Maldives with a small cross-reference to other countries in order to make it more relevant to the locals. The learning is linked to seasonal changes such as the monsoon seasons as well as to seasonal festivals and fishermen calendars. After getting the basics of reading and writing, the education focuses to activities that are problem based with a view of coming up with home-grown solutions. The solutions that have universal application are adapted to the local context and the adult students learn through experience. (Goodbody Rigby, 2011). The experiential learning can then be translated into practical outcomes back in the community. The course takes a period of one year and is flexible in the teaching timetable. There are two modules of learning available: evening learning that starts from six and lasts for one hour the evening and weekend learning that is open from nine in the morning to one p m. At the end of the one year course the participants receive the appropriate certification. Statement of Problem. The need for adult education programs in the Maldives arises from a lack of a clear government policy guideline for adult learners and which does not allocate any resources for such programs. From the background of the current state of the education system in the Maldives, the other segment that does not get government support is the pre-school age of learners. The absence of active government intervention has resulted in NGOs and other private organizations stepping in to fill in the void. The need for adult education programs is not given priority due to the government perception that 90 % of the population is literate and is within the internationally accepted levels of literacy. (BusinessWire, 2013). The key priority of the government is on the primary and tertiary institutions of learning while ignoring the adult education segment. Analysis of Data. The need for meaningful programs that address the need for adult education in the Maldives has led to private players to be the principle providers of adult learning centers. The analysis of the above organization will be approached from three approaches and their suitability of the model used. The flexibility of the model, the approach as to its problem-based assumption and the vocational learning applicability will be interrogated. An understanding of the adult learning theory will help give a better background of the suitability of the model taken by the organization. Adult Learning Theory. The Andragogy theory was postulated by Malcolm Shepherd Knowles and states that andragogy is the art and science of adult learning. Andragogy is a Greek word which means m-leading which is the direct opposite of child-led learning (pedagogy). (Hagen Park, 2016). Knowles posits five assumptions in his theory that relates to adult learning. The first is that of self-concept which means that maturity brings the transition from dependency to being independent and the capability to direct ones affairs. The second assumption is the adult learner experience that recognizes the accumulative experiences of the adult learner as a resource for learning. The third states that maturity comes with a readiness to learn. The fourth assumption posits that maturity necessitates a shift from subject-centered learning to problem centered learning. The last assumption is that the maturity process brings about the increased motivation to learn which is internal driven. Flexibility approach. The program is flexible in that it factors in the work schedule of the targeted adult students. (Fuller, Kuhne Frey, 2011). The flexible learning model is principally focused in most forms of formal education that emphasizes flexibility in the learning in relation to time, mode of delivery and certification. The present emphasis on the use of the internet tends to skew the narrative to the more formal style of studying which can also be used in other forms of formal education. The model uses a blended form of flexible learning that uses both classroom settings as well as mobile field trips that are for the practical application. (Mohanty, 2007). The classroom learning time table is also flexible in that it offers evening classes as well as Saturday morning classes. Many of the adult students are engaged during the day in other economic activities that are necessary for social sustenance. Among the students are fishermen, tourist guides, traders amongst others. Many of them can only find time either in the evening or weekends. Structuring the classes to suit the needs of the target students ensures that more adults are able to seamlessly fit in their daily activities with their learning program. (OECD, 2014). This calls for discipline on the part of the adult student and which is supported by the theory postulation of Knowles assumption of adult learners. The andragogy theory of Knowles postulates that there is a readiness to learn as a person matures s well as the internal motivation that comes from the process of maturing. The problem-based position taken by the model is applicable as it from the proposition of a problem to solve and working to solve it. Problem-based learning is based on providing knowledge and the ability to solve problems that is based on real problems that can lead to real and practical solutions. This is supported by the Knowles theory of orientation to the learning process of focusing on problem-centered learning. (Ahmed, 2013). This is based on the assumption that 95% of people will learn what they are able to teach someone else. The first problem is a self-actualization need of the adult student which is met by taking time to learn a formal education. The second problem is identified by the organization providing the education of addressing environmental degradation and tying it in to the learning process. The need to get individuals who can be trained as community eco-ambassadors is successfully solved in offering a two-in-one value proposition. (Lees, 2014). The education offered which is free carries with it a moral obligation to thereafter go on and become an agent for change. Many of the private organizations offering adult learning programs are funded from charitable organizations abroad that have the specific agenda of environmental protection. The vocational learning approach is not factored into this model of adult education by the organization. The definition of vocational learning implies the model of education that prepares people to work in a specific craft, trade or professional vocation. From this definition the above model of adult is not applicable but can be applied as a quasi-vocational training. (Jarvis, 2010). It is quasi as it does not fully fit the normal parameters of vocational learning that is examinable and leads to a life-long career in the specific field. (Saar, That Roosalu, 2014).It gives formal education that is attached with some measure of training in environmental matters that can be applied in the community, not as a vocation but as a social obligation as a responsible citizen. The adult students will continue with their daily economic activities for sustenance and will participate in propagating environmental awareness on a part-time basis. Key Decision to guide the organization (criteria). The key decision criteria that the organization will consider should result in more adult students enrolling into the program and getting some level of government support for adult education programs in the Maldives. (Torres, 2011). The first key decision criteria is to consider transforming the model from education alone to being able to offer certification that is recognized for employment consideration in organizations dealing with environmental issues.(Ziegahn, 2012). That would first require the organization providing the adult education getting local or international certification to give certificates that are standardized in relation to environmental protection. The adult students can then be eligible for employment using the certificates they have received. This would result in a higher enrolment of students in the program. Another key consideration is the possibility of starting sustainable self-sustaining local initiatives that can employ the graduate adult learning students. A good example would be an initiative for bio-gas in the community. The adult students would first get a formal education after which they can get a quasi-vocational training on how to construct small house-hold bio-digesters. (Lucio-Villega, 2015). The organization would then employ them as craftsmen and women to construct the bio-digesters at a reasonable fee from the community. The possibility of employment would be a catalyst for the students to be more committed to the program so that the rate of dropping-out is reduced. This would also help the organization gain greater dependence from donor funding which is precarious and volatile in nature. Another consideration is to approach the government and propose a partnership that would result in the government allocating resources to the program. (Torres, 2013). The government can be helpful in negotiating support through bilateral agreements that can be signed with friendly supporting nations to specifically support the adult education program. There are countries which prefer channeling support directly to organizations on the ground that are delivering services and the government would be given the oversight role. The approach taken should be based on solving two social needs: adult education and the environment. The line ministries of Education and Environment should be involved to give recommendations on how the government can allocate monetary sources to such a program. Analysis of alternatives. The first consideration can result in the counter-argument is that a one year training of adults who hitherto were illiterate is not enough time to get certification that can be used for employment. The certification would need to be standardized and this process may take time and resources. The certification would also necessitate the involvement of peer organizations offering the same service and mobilizing all of them to a common platform and agenda may prove to be a challenge. (Findsen Formosa, 2016). This would be supported by the fact that most courses that are offered in tertiary institutions (certificate, diploma and degree) take from six months to four years. This is after considering that the student has gone through twelve years of formal learning through the pedagogy model. There would need to be a paradigm shift by potential employers to consider employing the adults when choosing between young potential employees and the adults. (Stenberg, DeL una Westerlund, 2012). The value proposition for employment using the certification from the private organizations would be difficult to sell to the potential employers. The second consideration would be countered by the argument that making the transition to be able offer employment would be a paradigm shift from the core mandate of education and environment. The current donors may decide not to support the new vision and transition and would decide to terminate the relationship with the organization. (Messy Monticone, 2016). The organization would also need capacity building internally for the transition which would require training and this would require additional funding which it may not have. Another challenge would be the issue of mobilizing financial resources that would be required to start the sustainable projects as the primary donors might withdraw their funding. (Milana, 2012). Scouting for a new donor or writing a new proposal for the funding of the new shift that would support the new vision would also take time and is not guaranteed. The other consideration would be countered by the argument that the government bureaucracy would take long to respond into an actionable partnership. The governmental policy would require legal changes to the existing policy framework which would take time to change. The consideration for the partnership would also have to be within the current vision of the government so as to get budgetary support. The government can only offer support if it is assured that the mandate of the organization is not subversive to the national interest before it can get government support. The fact that two line ministries would be involved in the negotiations would be discouraging for the organization in relation to time needed for the meetings. The time spent in meetings with government officials would be better spent in delivering their key mandate of offering education. Recommendations The recommendation that would be desirable for future action is for the organization to change and transform so as to be sustainable. The dependence on foreign donor funding is not sustainable and is subject to dry up at any given time. The government can also interfere with foreign funding if it perceives interference from the foreign donors in its internal affairs. It will take time for the organization to raise funds for the eventual self-sustenance but that would ultimately give it perpetuity in its future operations. (Medel-Anonuevo, Torres Desjardins, 2011). The proposal to start a bio-gas project would be beneficial to the community as the graduate adult students would be employed to work as craftsmen in the project and the cost would be adjusted to meet the ability of local community. (Hefler, 2012). The adult enrolment would at the same time increase for adult students who would enroll with the end aim of employment. This would also attract more donor support in the long-ru n and also the government as the project would be seen as a success. The objective of most governments is to ensure that they have a population that is literate in order to accelerate the economic development of the nation. The education system in the Maldives despite being relatively young has managed to ensure a high level of literacy at over 90%. Despite this relative success, the adult education program has been left in abeyance by the government and the private organizations have stepped in meaningfully. The organizations that are providing adult education programs in the Maldives are mostly private and funded by external donors. The sustainability of such organizations depends on the model taken in its approach to offering adult education learning. An analysis of the different models of adult education learning has identified the problem-based model as the most suitable approach to adult learning for this organization. The organization can offer the adult learning program with a view to mitigating environmental damage within the community. The o rganization can also suggest the approach of starting a bio-digester to be a community-based program that would lead to sustainability of their adult education program. The government of the Maldives should partner closely in the future with the private organizations so as to form long-term partnerships that can raise the levels of adult literacy in the island. References Bank, A. D. (2015). Maldives: Overcoming the Challenges of a Small Island State. Manila: Asian Development Bank. Fuller, R. G., Kuhne, G. W., Frey, B. A. (2011). Distinctive distance education design: Models for differentiated instruction. Hershey, Pa: Information Science Reference. Griffith, A., Smith, D. (Eds.). (2014). Under New Public Management: Institutional Ethnographies of Changing Front-Line Work. University of Toronto Press. 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