The Practices of Integrated Functional Adult Literacy Program in Ethiopia:The Case of Oromia

Integrated Functional Adult Literacy (IFAL) program is being implemented at national level in Ethiopia for it has been regarded as an integral part of development endeavor of the country since 2008. IFAL program is new in its kind in that government tried to bring different stakeholders like education, health, agricultural sectors and many others who are engaged in building the capacity of adults. A study was carried out to look at the existing practices in four zones of Oromia Regional State so as to find out lesson that can be learned and the challenges the program encountered. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods and conducted based on the information obtained from 180 respondents. The objective is to provide an in-depth exploration and description of IFAL practice evident in Oromia region (strengths and weaknesses) so as to show the direction on how to satisfy the learning needs of adults. The study confirmed that sectors of agriculture, health, education and volunteers were the main actors in the implementation of IFAL program which would have been considered as the strength. But their contribution was hampered by major factors such as lack of reward package, poor rapport between different sectors and problem related with issue of unity of command. Participation in the IFAL program was not considered as additional task that deserve some kind of financial and other forms of reward. The rapport between stakeholders who are engaged in IFAL program was not up to the requirement. The study also revealed that participants of the IFAL implicitly were expected to report to two bosses: for their line managers and coordinator of the IFAL program.