Apart from distribution system efficiency, actual utilization of the materials by learners and neo-literates will depend mainly on the contents, format of presentation and vocabulary level, and secondly on the overall environment surrounding the learners and neo-literates. It is environment which stimulates learners and neo-literates to apply the skill of literacy in day-to-day communication, furthering of knowledge and solution of problems. Instructors play the most vital role in sustaining the learner's interest in his/her struggle to acquire literacy.

(A) Development and Promotion of the Reading Habit

The following steps may be taken to foster the reading habit among learners and neo-literates:

 

1) Motivation of learners and neo-literates by their literacy teachers and community leaders to develop and utilize literacy skills

2) Legislation to make literacy a pre-requisite for participation in social and economic spheres of life-for example, requiring farmers to write credit applications by their own hand and fill out other forms by themselves

3) Extensive display of posters, bulletin boards of local news, writing slogans, developmental messages on mudwalls, tree trunks and in other central/eye-catching places

(B) Training of Functionaries

Programme organizers at various levels and local field functionaries should be given training/ orientation in the following areas:

 

1) Significance of basic literacy and post-literacy component or follow-up phase

2) Importance of maintaining contact and encouraging learners to regularly attend literacy classes

3) Importance of maintaining contact with the neo-literates even after completion of the literacy course, motivating them to continue their pursuit of knowledge and extending guidance to them in their further studies

4) Methods of training learners in self-education

5) Establishment and maintenance of local libraries

6) Handling, operation and maintenance of audio-visual aids and electronic media as a potential major source and medium of follow-up information/activities.

Utilization

(C) Institutional Arrangements

State/regional agencies or programme organizers should take the following measures to enhance utilization of basic literacy and follow-up materials:

 

1) Basic literacy and follow-up material should preferably be supplied free of cost or at nominal, subsidized prices to make them affordable to learners and neo-literates.

2) Contents of basic literacy and follow-up materials should be relevant to the needs and interests of various ethnic groups/age groups/ occupational groups. Material on diverse subjects should be produced.

3) Textual content and vocabulary of the materials should be according to the mental level and comprehension ability of the learners or neo-literates.

4) Inclusion of traditional and cultural values in the material usually inspires the reader to go through it.

5) Graded material should be amply available, and neo-literates of all levels should be helped in selecting material ranging from pictorial books to advanced level publications.

6) Packages of self-learning and correspondence courses should be introduced to the neo-literates.

Follow-up efforts should aim to make education a life-long self-learning process for the neo-literates, and enable them to exercise skills and knowledge gained through literacy in development of personality, harnessing of potential and solution of problems.

Fig. Institutional Arrangements