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Adult Participation in Basic Literacy Programs in Pakistan: Challenges and Practical Steps for Policy Administrators

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Title: Adult Participation in Basic Literacy Programs in Pakistan: Challenges and Practical Steps for Policy Administrators
Language: English
Authors: Sidra Noreen (ORCID 0000-0003-1049-721X), Zafar Iqbal (ORCID 0000-0003-3323-229X)
Source: International Journal of Lifelong Education. 2025 44(4):383-403.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Basic Education
Adult Education
Elementary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Adult Literacy, Adult Basic Education, Adult Reading Programs, Adult Students, Student Participation, Student Attitudes, Barriers, Sociocultural Patterns, Learner Engagement, Adult Educators, Teacher Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Pakistan
DOI: 10.1080/02601370.2025.2464660
ISSN: 0260-1370
1464-519X
Abstract: In Pakistan, adult literacy programs are designed to empower individuals for personal, familial, and societal development; however, these programs continue to struggle with persistently low participation rates. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach to explore the underlying factors contributing to this issue. Forty-five participants, including 30 learners, 10 teachers, and 5 literacy officials, were purposively selected from 5 adult literacy centres. Data were gathered through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews, followed by thematic analysis. Findings reveal that learners face challenges due to the irrelevance of literacy content to their daily lives, unengaging instructional methods, and socio-cultural barriers. Literacy teachers report a lack of administrative support, while literacy officials encounter difficulties in adapting content to cater to the diverse age groups of adult learners. Based on the challenges found, practical steps were suggested for policy administrators, encompassing conducting needs assessments, crafting literacy content, implementing engaging delivery methods, and conducting learner assessments to ensure effective and impactful adult literacy programs with a strong focus on adult learners and literacy teachers.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1477668
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Label: Title
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  Data: Adult Participation in Basic Literacy Programs in Pakistan: Challenges and Practical Steps for Policy Administrators
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sidra+Noreen%22">Sidra Noreen</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1049-721X">0000-0003-1049-721X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zafar+Iqbal%22">Zafar Iqbal</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3323-229X">0000-0003-3323-229X</externalLink>)
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  Label: Source
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Lifelong+Education%22"><i>International Journal of Lifelong Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 44(4):383-403.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 21
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Adult+Basic+Education%22">Adult Basic Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Adult+Education%22">Adult Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adult+Literacy%22">Adult Literacy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adult+Basic+Education%22">Adult Basic Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adult+Reading+Programs%22">Adult Reading Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adult+Students%22">Adult Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Participation%22">Student Participation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sociocultural+Patterns%22">Sociocultural Patterns</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adult+Educators%22">Adult Educators</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Attitudes%22">Teacher Attitudes</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pakistan%22">Pakistan</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1080/02601370.2025.2464660
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 0260-1370<br />1464-519X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: In Pakistan, adult literacy programs are designed to empower individuals for personal, familial, and societal development; however, these programs continue to struggle with persistently low participation rates. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach to explore the underlying factors contributing to this issue. Forty-five participants, including 30 learners, 10 teachers, and 5 literacy officials, were purposively selected from 5 adult literacy centres. Data were gathered through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews, followed by thematic analysis. Findings reveal that learners face challenges due to the irrelevance of literacy content to their daily lives, unengaging instructional methods, and socio-cultural barriers. Literacy teachers report a lack of administrative support, while literacy officials encounter difficulties in adapting content to cater to the diverse age groups of adult learners. Based on the challenges found, practical steps were suggested for policy administrators, encompassing conducting needs assessments, crafting literacy content, implementing engaging delivery methods, and conducting learner assessments to ensure effective and impactful adult literacy programs with a strong focus on adult learners and literacy teachers.
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  Data: As Provided
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  Label: Entry Date
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  Data: 2025
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  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1477668
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1477668
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/02601370.2025.2464660
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 383
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adult Literacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adult Basic Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adult Reading Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adult Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Participation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sociocultural Patterns
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adult Educators
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pakistan
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Adult Participation in Basic Literacy Programs in Pakistan: Challenges and Practical Steps for Policy Administrators
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            NameFull: Sidra Noreen
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            NameFull: Zafar Iqbal
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              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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            – TitleFull: International Journal of Lifelong Education
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