| neral terms, illiteracy is an inability to use language -- | | | | reason, as it turns out. Based on numerous studies |
| an inability to read, write, listen and speak. Today, it | | | | into this area, they conclude that literate people are |
| is usually taken to mean being unable to read and | | | | easier and less expensive to train and have broader |
| write at a level adequate for written communication | | | | job opportunities and access to higher education. In |
| or at a level that will allow an individual to function at | | | | Kerala, India, for example, female and child mortality |
| certain levels of society. In the simplest of terms, | | | | rates declined dramatically in the 1960s, after girls |
| illiteracy is the opposite of literacy. | | | | who had been schooled to literacy in the education |
| In some societies, the standards for what constitute | | | | reforms after 1948 began to raise families. There are |
| literacy are different from others. For example, some | | | | recent findings, however, that raise questions on |
| cultures believe that only people with skills such as | | | | correlations such as the one listed above, arguing |
| computers skills and basic numeracy may be | | | | that these may have more to do with the effects of |
| considered literate. This takes into account the fact | | | | schooling rather than literacy in general. |
| that there are people who can add and subtract, but | | | | Illiteracy rates are highest among developing |
| can't read letters as well as people who can learn to | | | | countries, especially those in the South Asian, Arab |
| use a computer to a limited extent but may still not | | | | and Sub-Saharan African regions where illiteracy is |
| be able to read text. One example is Scotland, which | | | | prevalent among 40 to 50% of populations. The East |
| defines literacy as: "The ability to read and write and | | | | Asian and Latin American regions also have relatively |
| use numeracy, to handle information, to express | | | | high illiteracy rates ranging from 10 to 15%. In |
| ideas and opinions, to make decisions and solve | | | | contrast, the illiteracy rate in developed countries is |
| problems, as family members, workers, citizens and | | | | only a few percent. However, it is important to note |
| lifelong learners." That's probably as specific as you | | | | that illiteracy rates vary widely from country to |
| can get in defininng what literacy is all about. | | | | country and often are directly proportionate to a |
| On a global level, analysts and policy makers consider | | | | country's wealth or urbanization level, although many |
| illiteracy rates as an important factor in a country's or | | | | other factors play a determining role. |
| a region's "human capital," and with good good | | | | |