Promoting basic education for women and girls ... - library.unesco-ii...

is a highly decentralized institution that operates
nine centres spread throughout the country. It is run
by regional officers fully utilizing the traditional admin-
iSabenta iin istrative and political structure (traditional chiefs, inner
councils, rural development motivators, head teachers,
and community leaders) in the development and conduct
of its programmes.
There are two parallel programmes (Siswati and English)
and these operate at three levels: (a) basic literacy; functional
a
literacy; and (c) AUPE (Adult Upper Primary Education).
The functional literacy programme teaches a wide range of life skills: sewing, carpentry, computer opera-
tions, weaving, hair-dressing, poultry farming, horticul-
ture, catering, etc. Available statistics show that these
w
pro-
grammes have been women dominated. In the year 2000,
for example, the total enrolment was 4,074 and 2,587 (i.e.
63.50 per cent) were women.
AUPE is intended to provide: (a) adults with the opportunity to progress beyond conventional literacy and
numeracy; (b) adults with the means of achieving a quali-
Swaziland
d
Many girls drop out of school before the last grade of primary education. Many more do not go to school n
at
all. Poverty and early pregnancies prevent others from
into the formal basic education system. The non-
formal route, provided by Sabenta, has been trying to fill this vacuum for both boys/girls and men/women.
nfitting There are 222,000 Swazi
who are unable to read,
write and count – one
of whom could be your
relative. Ask for a form at
the information desk and
as many people as
with Sabenta, your
literacy provider.
lregister lpossible
33S