Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation of integrated functional adult
literacy in Dodola woreda, West Arsi zone, Oromia National regional state. For this study,
descriptive survey research design was employed; both qualitative and quantitative data
were gathered through questionnaire, interview and document analysis. The sources of
data for the study were;285 IFAL learners,4 literacy teachers,4 literacy facilitators,25
IFAL committee,22 PTA,2 school supervisors, 2 woreda education experts ,5 school
directors ,6 health extension workers,9 DAs,4 kebele chair persons, and relevant
documents related to the issue. The simple random and available sampling techniques were
employed to select the respondents of the study. The collected data were analyzed using
percentage and frequency. Two separate sets of questionnaire were prepared to be
completed by IFAL learners’ IFAL committee, PTA and DAs. The interview was employed
to the literacy teachers, facilitators, school supervisors, woreda education experts’ school
directors, kebele chair persons and health extension workers. The finding of the study
indicate that IFAL participants profile (sex, age, occupation and marital status) were
similar to the points in the strategy document 15-45 age. In addition, the woreda education
expert, adult literacy teachers and literacy participants have good knowledge and
understanding about the IFAL. The time for provision of IFAL is convenient. And the
certificate, was given when the learners complete the level. However, the support provided
by the community members to construct and maintain literacy centers and the attention
provided by coordinating committee to support the program, the lack of regular meeting,
the training given for facilitators and the shortage of educational materials and budget, the
monitoring and evaluation was unsatisfactory. Consequently; the implementation of IFAL
program resulted in high dropout rate of IFAL learners and irregular attendance to
participate in the program. Hence, IFAL participants gave more emphasis and priority to
their day to day activities; rather than lose 2-3 hours a day for about 3-5 days in a week to
literacy education. To improve the condition in literacy program it is essential to raise the
interest of IFAL learners and motivate them to attend literacy classes regularly,
constructing literacy centers facilitated with the necessary educational materials and
allocating adequate budget, Providing adequate training for literacy teachers and
improving their payments, above all it is important to creating responsible and independent
institution that has authority to govern on implementation of the program. To sum up, to be
successful in IFAL program the contribution of every responsible individual and
organization in the Woreda is very important.
