Prison Based Informal Learning through Speed Literacy Program and its Impact on Their Psychological Outcomes

Abstract

Pakistan is facing educational crisis of unparalleled proportions with nearly half of all children of school going age out of school. There are almost 25 million out of school children. In these large proportions lie a small percentage of children living behind the bars in the juvenile jails of Pakistan, without provision of education or any other technical training facilities. Unfortunately the condition and needs of the juvenile delinquents are being neglected at provincial and federal levels. The imprisonment of juveniles with such limited resources is a dangerous development that only exacerbates crime and delinquency in the country. The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of Speed Literacy Program on the emotional and behavioral well-being of juvenile learners. This intervention had provided juveniles with a learning opportunity through the use of technology blended with Paulo Freire’s philosophy of education which was intended to assist them to read and write in English Language. Surveys and interviews conducted have revealed that engagement in these learning activities can help the juvenile learners to control their aggression and rebuild their self-esteem. These results were further validated by performing qualitative and quantitative Data Analysis.