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Abstract
Illiteracy in Pakistan is a curse which must be liquidated as early as possible. The pity is that even 66 years of independence, illiteracy could not be wiped out. It is an undisputed fact that 100 percent literacy cannot be achieved in near future through formal education system alone. For the purpose the utility of mass communication is essential as an alternative system of education for achieving the cherished goal of 100 percent literacy effort in Pakistan.
Keywords: Mass Communication, Adult Education, Literacy, Educational Policy, Formal Education
Introduction
Launching of massive Adult Education Programme
The growing number of illiterate in Pakistan is a matter of great concern. Low literacy is not encouraging for the socio-economic growth. During the past six decade, Pakistan has tried to tackle the problem of illiteracy haphazardly. According to UNESCO (1992, p.17) "Pakistan is a state based on Islam which lays great emphasis on education. Various Governments in Pakistan have framed education policies to achieve the universalization of primary education and have fixed target date one after another but still the goal has not been achieved" (Jatoi,1993, pp.7-8) further pointed out the literacy situation as follow:
"However, there has been considerable expansion in number of educational institutions and enrolment. Despite the quantitative jumps, Pakistan still stands in the low levels even when compared to the developing countries
Several educational policies have been formulated since the birth of Pakistan in 1947 to eradicate illiteracy within the shortest possible time through universalization of primary education and a massive adult education programme, such education policies are as follows:
1. Ml Pakistan educational conference 1947 was organised by Ministry of Education (1947, pp.45-46) with a view to enhance literacy rate. Central Advisory Board was established to launch literacy drive support by radio broadcasts and other audio-visual aids. The results were not encouraging due to lack of resources.
2. The National Commission for education recommended that school and college students should be used as teachers. It was recommended by National Education Commission (1959,pp,200-201) that:
i. The use of school children as teacher in an effort to make their parents literate.
ii. The use of un-graduate college students as adult literacy teachers.
iii. The use of one literate adult to teach another under "each...