INSTITUTE OF MASS EDUCATION
Establishment :
The history of IME is almost as old as the university itself. Allama Iqbal Open University was established under the Parliament ACT XXXIX passed in May, 1974.
Introduction :
In February 1975, AIOU’S work for the grass root level, literacy and for the vulnerable groups started with the then Institute of Education through its Integrated Functional Education (IFE) project.
IFE, a unique project of its own kind was started with the collaboration of the World Education Inc. of USA. The first project site or test bed was in Daultala, District Rawalpindi, and Punjab.
The Daultala experience paved the way for three more projects for three more projects for the rural population at Bhit Shah in Sindh, Sarai Naurang in NWFP and Samani in AJK. The IFE experiences are quoted in International literature.
The initial project work scattered in different academic departments was streamlined and in 1987 placed in a Bureau for University Extension and Special Programs (BUESP).
In 1995, BUESP was upgraded to a Faculty of Mass Education. However, in February 1998, in the 57th Meeting of the Executive Council, it was renamed as the Institute of Mass Education (IME). The main objectives of the Institute are:
· To develop need based course materials along with media support and allied manuals for learners and instructors/facilitators.
· To train non-formal instructors/facilitators in pre and in-service teachers training.
· To conduct research studies based on the feed back to improve upon the developed materials.
· To develop a viable strategy for marketing the materials and services of the available expertise.
The IME is directly under the Vice-Chancellor with the academic and administrative affairs looked after by the Director, IME. These are the programmes run by the IME:
· Basic and Primary Education.
· Middle and Secondary Education.
· Short Term Educational Programs.
IME has versatile experience of launching community programs like Functional Education Projects for Rural Areas (FEPRA), Basic Functional Education Program (BFEP), Literacy Programs like Integrated Functional Literacy Program (IFLP), Islamabad Literacy Program (ILP), reading materials for neo-literates. Many of the experimental projects has been taken up as regular programs of the university.
The development of materials for non-formal learners and teachers at literacy and primary level also goes to the credit of IME. Many Government agencies and non-government organizations have used these. Materials have been purchased in the thousands by different agencies for their learner groups. In 1998 Education Department Punjab alone purchased 60,000 literacy and primary education primers besides other organizations.
Objectives :
· To help the rural masses to learn and put into practice things which will be of functional use in their everyday life for the improvement of their economic condition, general health, social conditions and standard of living.
· To implement a strategy appropriate to rural areas which can be replicated and extended to different main cultural regions and also extend the out-reach system of AIOU into educationally deprived areas.
· To develop more courses based of felt needs and to carry out field testing in order to assess their suitability in rural areas.
· To collaborate with Government and non-Government agencies concerned with rural development and act as a resources center for other organizations.
Future Plans :
· After successful piloting of Open Middle Education Programme it will be offered throughout the country in collaboration of NGOs working in the field of non-formal basic education.
· Materials development
· Teachers training
Academic Facilities :
N/A
Postal Address :
Short Term Educational ProgrammeBlock No 10. AIOU,
Phone :
051-9250077
Email :
steps@aiou.edu.pk
Staff Members :
Staff Members Detail
