Non-Formal Education A new working group for the DAE back a page | next page In March 1996, The Steering Committee of the DAE admitted the Working Group on Non-Formal Education as a full fledged Working Group of the DAE. The working group's lead agency will be the Swiss Agency for Development (SDC), which will work with other agencies and the active participation of several African ministers. In a number of African countries, non-formal basic education, literacy and post-literacy activities have emerged, often from local, decentralized initiatives. In spite of meagre resources and inadequate support, many of these activities have demonstrated the potential for a different approach to education, which can be a valuable instrument for development and social change. The challenges confronting education in sub-Saharan Africa today are considerable. Low enrolment and literacy rates are inhibiting the development of the region. Limited budget prospects and population growth are leaving governments with little room for manoeuvre. The formal sector is unable to provide schooling for all children before the year 2000, let alone adults. Hence, non-formal education represents a valuable supplement. Furthermore, non-formal schools offer more flexibility and are more accessible to rural populations, adults, girls, and young adults deprived of education for reasons which may be as simple as age or the distance of schools. The Working Group on Non-Formal Education was created to explore the non-formal activities which are arousing interest among a greater number of decision-makers. Governments are realizing that, in the current context, in order to provide all of their citizens with basic education needs, they will have to rely on the additional contribution of non-formal education, and collaborate with all of the partners of education, such as local communities, NGOs and other actors of the non-formal sector. Co-ordinating Committee: the Working Group will be initially co-ordinated by a consortium comprising the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Club du Sahel, and UNESCO. The Secretariat of the Working Group is, for the time being, located at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. At a future date, the working group will identify a specialized institution in Africa and help to give it the necessary infrastructures to house the Co-ordinating Secretariat. Creation At its meeting in March 1996, the DAE SteeringCommittee approved the creation of a Working Group on Non-Formal Education. The subject of non-formal education, brought to the fore by African ministers, is a priority concern of African communities. Objectives General objective: to help African countries reach the goal of education for all by strengthening non-formal education facilities which are more accessible to rural dwellers, adults, youths and girls. Specific objectives: - To strengthen the ability of African educational personnel to identify and make known the comparative advantages of approaches which could stimulate the education system as a whole. - To strengthen partnerships between Ministries of Education and other actors and beneficiaries of non-formal education. - To facilitate the communication and sharing of information on experiences in non-formal education among African ministries, NGOs based in Africa, and funding agencies. - To facilitate a better coordination between funding agencies in this field, and encourage them to invest jointly in innovative projects and programs. Strategy Each participanting country will be encouraged to set up a national forum to promote discussion and consultation among representatives of ministries, NGOs, and all other partners involved in non-formal education. These forums could subsequently develop into national working groups responsible for implementing national activities. Program of activities Major activities foreseen are: - The identification of training needs, in order to develop national and local capacities in this field. - A research program targeted on the processes and results of non-formal education. - The organization of meetings and workshops in order to share experiences. - The identification and dissemination of best practices. - The circulation of a newsletter on the activities of the working group. Organization of the Working Group Steering Committee: Initial members of the Steering Committee are the Ministers of Education of Senegal (Mr Mamadou Ndoye) and Ghana (Mr Harry Sawyer), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Club du Sahel/OECD, the Commonwealth Secretariat, and UNESCO. Lead agency : Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Leader : Ahlin Byll-Cataria Human Resources Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Tel: (41) (31) 322 34 28 Fax: (41) (31) 324 16 93/324 87 41 Coordinators: Lucy Steward/Selina Mohson Commonwealth Secretariat Tel: (44) (171) 747 62 89 Fax: (44) (171) 747 62 87 in collaboration with : Dana Fischer Club du Sahel, OCDE Tel: (33) (1) 45 24 89 60 Fax: (33) (1) 45 24 90 31 Adama Ouane UNESCO Tel: (33) (1) 45 68 10 08 Fax: (33) (1) 45 67 16 90

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