The Federal Government has been called upon to re-structure the non-formal education programme to make it more functional and sustainable at the three tiers of government.

A former Abia Executive Director of the Agency for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non Formal Education, Rev. Uche Kalu Ibe, made the call in an interview with newsmen  in Umuahia on Thursday.

Ibe commended President Goodluck Jonathan for authorising the release of funds by the Education Tax Fund (ETF) for educational programmes, saying that adult learners should take active part in the unfolding political process.

“The non-formal education programme at the federal, state and local council levels should be restructured and re-packaged to accommodate the much needed programmes that will make it functional and sustainable”, he added.

Ibe, a former chairman of South-East Forum of state directors of Adult and Non-Formal Education, said the programme could be sustained through adequate funding, provision of instructional materials and clear expression of political will.

He further called for the support of state governors in efforts to make the programme a success.

Ibe said that adult learners could make meaningful contributions to the success of the 2011 general elections, adding that adult learners were expected to show adequate  participation in the exercise.

The reverend gentleman, who is at present undertaking a campaign in the area of Mass Education, said that networking, innovation, advocacy and sensitisation remained useful tools to boost the efforts of government in the area of non-formal education. 

He described Jonathan as a well focused leader who should be supported in efforts to sustain non-formal education in the country.