Mali - Nonformal Education

Adult literacy programs were an important part of the 1962 reforms because the goal was to create an egalitarian society. These literacy programs teach African languages. Many of them are called integrated literacy programs because they teach literacy along with work-related skills. In some communities at least, becoming literate is prestigious, and local citizens believe it will contribute to the development of the community. In one community, students had been meeting for many years; most participants had attended classes for six years before attaining functional literacy. Most of those who achieved literacy continued to attend the class to maintain their skills. Literacy skills are used mostly for business purposes.