S
tr
engthening C
ommunit
y L
ear
ning C
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tr
es thr
ough Link
ages and Net
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ks: A S
yn
thesis of Six C
oun
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y R
epor
ts
CLCs are able to solicit and get support from different government agencies
through conducting cooperative activities and projects. In some instances,
salaries of the trainers and facilitators were provided by non-government
organizations.
Philippines Report, p. 16
Establishing, maintaining and expanding networks for CLCs in these three
regions were not a problem since these CLCs have established strong linkage
relationships. They have started participatory action research training to help
organize the community to respond to the health, education, economic, youth
and family life needs of the community. Community organizers and social workers
focused on the development of the community, coordinating all services and
assuring that a plan for organized development is delivered.
Philippines Report, p. 18
4. Ensure Community Commitment and Ownership
It is essential to have the approval of the community (usually through the members
of the CLC committee) and its blessings for whatever formal arrangements
and medium-term plans are created. With its approval, the CLC is assured of the
community's commitment for continued participation, ownership and enthusiasm
in network collaboration. The importance of community ownership as an essential
factor for sustainability comes through clearly in the country reports of Thailand,
Philippines, and Japan.
Because the most important role of the CLC is to be a place for the exchange
of knowledge and the starting point for the solution of community problems,
it must begin with the energy of the people in the community. There are many
other network organizations that play an important role in cooperating in the
solution of problems within the community, and these networks will constantly
change according to the problems that occur. Non-formal education teachers
play the role of coordinators of these networks. At the same time, as the CLC itself
is a convenient place for activities regarding the carrying out of state policies,
various agencies, both state and private, use it to administer various activities
informative meetings, seminars, occupational skills practice, learning activities,
or learning and teaching. Activities that are not creative, do not result in benefits
for the community as a whole, and...are not allowed to happen at the CLC.
Thailand Report, p. 28
In sustaining the different ALS activities in the CLCs, through strong linkages,
networking and converged/collaborative efforts of all ALS implementers, the
non-government organizations, local government units (all levels) allocated the
Local School Board and Special Education Funds (LSB-SEF) for the provision of
learning materials/supplies, honoraria for the instructional managers, facilitators
and even the CLC support staff. Through the strong linkages/networking of
the Division ALS Supervisors and District ALS Coordinators and even school