Group Discussion with Community People	Community Learning Center , Budol
Inaguaration of Siddhipur CLC	Mushroom Growing By CLC Khokana

To deal these issues, many countries have promoted a non-formal education system. The non-formal education system provides basic literacy programs for adults, primary and secondary educational equivalency programs for youth and adults, vocational and community development courses for groups and communities.

The idea of providing an infrastructure and an institutional base for holistic life-long education gradually emerged and became operational though the establishment of local community based Learning Centers  organized and managed by the people themselves.

Objectives and Functions of CLCs
The Community Learning Centers will have to
1. Mobilize community people and their resources for rural development
2. Empower local people to formulate their own local plans and  programs.
    Implement and monitor them
3. Provide education combined with rural development including improvement of income and quality of life of
    farmers, artisans, women, youth and other rural people.
4. Develop CLCs as a learning place and  a center for disseminating development information

In Nepal, NRC-NFE  has established  seven CLCs  as pilot project in seven villages as mentioned below:

1. Budol Community Learning Center, Ward No. 15, Banepa, Kavrepalanchok, 1995
2. Siddhipur Community Learning Center, Siddhipur, Lalitpur, 2000
3. Amarapur Community Learning Center, Bungmati, Lalitpur, 2000
4. Lidhansa Community Learning Center, Khokana, Lalitpur, 2000
5. Sunaguthi Community Learning Center, Sunaguthi, Lalitpur, 2000
6. Beluvan Community Learning Center, Thecho, Lalitpur, 2000
7. Jyotidaya Community Learning Center, Chapagoan, Lalitpur, 2000

Role of NRC-NFE in support of CLCs
NRC-NFE has been providing help to the local people to understand the importance of CLCs,to set up them and to provide training to CLC leaders and facilitators conducting literacy classes and vocational courses. It is continuously monitoring the activities of CLCs and providing technical support to all activities.

Activities Undertaken by CLCs
1. A training of CLC organizers was conducted to discuss survey methods to assess community needs,
    management of CLCs, preparation of community micro-plans of different educational and development
    programs, evaluation of the programs, co-ordination and networking with local organizations, etc.  After
    the training, the CLCs did a survey and proposed action plans for community development.

2. As all CLCs need to conduct literacy classes, a ten-day basic training program for literacy facilitators was
    conducted.

3. Similarly, training of instructors of out-of- school children program  was  also organised.

NRC-NFE is planning to establish three more  CLCs at Basdole, Nala and  ward No. 6, Dhulikhel   Municipality.

CLCs are expected to be the main institutions for continuing and life-long education at the local level. They will also be very intimately linked with government / policy and programs.

The sustainability of CLCs depends on the degree of involvement of the community. Effective CLCs enlist the direct participation of the target groups. Such active community participation is generated only when the CLC responds to community needs. Other factors that determine sustainability are the leadership, management style, dedication and vision of the community leaders.  Most of the CLCs are located in agricultural areas, so they are focusing on organic farming and environmentally friendly methods of cultivation.

Four determining factors for the success and continuance of CLCs were identified at the Review Meetings of CLCs held recently. They are the below :

- Relevant learning programs
- Community resources  mobilization
- Action-oriented research to identify best practices
- Appropriate training of personnel involved in different programs.