THE FUNCTIONAL ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM

A scientifically based literacy program.

In Turkey , over seven million adults, most of them women, are illiterate. These women not only face difficulties functioning in their daily lives, they also lack the resources and skills necessary to support the education of their children.

Ranking last among all OECD nations with regards to women's literacy, Turkey is also behind many states that have similar indicators of socio-economic development. The fact that approximately seven million people cannot read or write in Turkey also negatively impacts social development.

Furthermore, in ACEV' initial program implementations, it was observed that mothers that were most in need of support programs like the Mother Child Education Program were unable benefit from these services and other training programs since they were illiterate.

It was also around this time that the Apprenticeship and Non-formal Education General Directorate under the Ministry of National Education requested that ACEV develop an alternative literacy training program. Thus, with a desire to further support mothers and reduce gender disparity in education, ACEV consultants developed a scientifically based program for literacy skill acquisition.

What is the Functional Adult Literacy Program ?
ACEV, the first non-governmental organization to conduct scientific studies geared toward illiterate adults, developed the Functional Adult Literacy Program (FALP); a scientifically based literacy program the equivalent of Level 1 literacy courses of the Ministry of National Education. This is also the only program that includes extensive support materials and content geared at increasing women's participation in societal life.

It is highly important for Turkey that training programs like the Functional Adult Literacy Program, which impart literacy skills in a fast and efficient manner while also supporting the multi-faceted development of the participants increase in number.

Who does the Functional Adult Literacy Program target ?
The Functional Adult Literacy Program targets illiterate adults over the age of 15.

How is the Functional Adult Literacy Program implemented ?
Functional Adult Literacy courses implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education and take place at Public Education Centers, elementary schools, and/or other places suitable for teaching. Based on the Ministry's Level 1 literacy courses of 120 hours of class work, classes take place 3 times a week (a total of 9 hours), and last around 4 months. Volunteer educators teach the courses. At certain intervals and in accordance with the necessary license ACEV has obtained from the Ministry of National Education, ACEV organizes volunteer training seminars for high school graduates at least 21 years of age that cover 65 hours of course work. ACEV also collaborates with various non-governmental organizations to enable the Functional Adult Literacy Courses to reach wider audiences.

What is the content of the Functional Adult Literacy Courses ?
The program aims to enhance comprehension, interpretation and critical thinking skills. Topics that require literacy skills in daily life, such as reading an electricity bill, making a grocery list, or filling out an application form are also covered. The objective of the program is for individuals to utilize literacy in ways that make their daily lives easier and contribute to their personal development. Course work takes place in group discussions, reinforcing women’s existing knowledge about children’s health, general health, reproductive health, children’s rights, child education, women’s rights and communication, and allowing them to ask questions pertaining to issues they are curious about. In addition to literacy techniques, participants are offered information on numerous topics such as infant care, first aid, child abuse, hygiene, nutrition, family planning, reproductive health, pregnancy, civil rights, inheritance rights, right of girl children to schooling, preparing children for school, and inter-family communication.

What is the Functional Adult Literacy Program 2 ?
In 1998, with the aim of reinforcing the skills acquired at the Functional Adult Literacy Courses and expanding the functional usage of these skills in daily life to other areas, an 80-hour supplementary program, the Functional Adult Literacy Program 2 was prepared, and classes for this new program initiated.

How to apply to the Functional Adult Literacy Program:
Any illiterate individual over the age of 15 can apply to the completely free-of-charge Functional Adult Literacy Program courses.

How was the Functional Adult Literacy Program developed ?
In 1994-1995, Prof. Dr. Aydin Yucatan Durgunoglu, Assoc. Prof. Banu Oney , Hilal Kuscul, and Fatima Zinging Decider developed the Functional Adult Literacy Program in accordance with the phonological features of the Turkish language, and the needs of the potential adult participants. Prof. Dr. Cigdem Kagitcibasi provided consultancy during the expansion of the program.