Unit 3.

Universal Literacy

Contents
3. 1 Introduction. ............................................................................................................................. 2

3. 2 Factors Affecting Literacy ....................................................................................................... 3

3. 2. 1 Economic Factors............................................................................................................. 3

3. 2.2 Physical Factors ................................................................................................................ 4

3. 2.3 Administrative Factors ...................................................................................................... 4

3. 3 Consequences of Low Literacy................................................................................................ 5

3. 3. 1 For individuals ................................................................................................................. 6

3. 3. 1 For society........................................................................................................................ 6

3. 3.3 Barriers to Getting Help .................................................................................................... 7

3. 4 Benefits of Literacy Efforts ..................................................................................................... 8

3. 5 References ................................................................................................................................ 9
Unit 3. Universal Literacy.

3. 2 Factor affecting Program for Universal Literacy.

3. 1 Introduction.

Literacy is popularly understood as an ability to read, write and use numeracy in at least one

method of writing, an understanding reflected by mainstream dictionary and handbook

definitions. Starting in the 1980s, however, literacy researchers have maintained that defining

literacy as an ability apart from any actual event of reading and writing ignores the complex

ways reading and writing always happen in a specific context and in tandem with the values

associated with that context.

The view that literacy always involves social and cultural elements is reflected in UNESCO's

stipulation that literacy is an "ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and

compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. “Modern

attention to literacy as a "context-dependent assemblage of social practices" reflects the

Understanding that individuals' reading and writing practices develop and change over the

lifespan as their cultural, political, and historical contexts change. For example, in Scotland,

literacy has been defined as: "The ability to read, write and use numeracy, to handle information,

to express ideas and opinions, to make decisions and solve problems, as family members,

workers, citizens and lifelong learners.”

3. 2 Factors Affecting Literacy

Low Literacy in individuals stems from different, generally inter-related causes which, together,

create a series of often insurmountable barriers for those concerned. Some of the causes of low

literacy in adults are:

3. 2. 1 Economic Factors

Low level of economic development of the country, Low per capita income of the people

inadequate provision of physical facilities in schools. Shortage of funds especially to meet the

recurring expenditure and Inadequacy of AV aids. Poor condition of school building .Poor

motivation level of parents to send children to schools due to low income sharply influence the

universal literacy.
Poverty is the main problem which does not permit children of poor families either join or

continue education. Children of literate parents have more interest in education, the families

where gathers or mothers are literate; children’s enthusiasm for education is greater. Illiterate

parents are found to be conservative sticking to their traditional values their conservatism has a

strong negative effect on female education

3. 2.2 Physical Factors

Punitive measures adopted by teachers and loss of self-respect. Non-conducive atmosphere of

schools. Heavy load of school bag. Induction of formal education from the very first day of

school. Learning problems of children .Unattractive/unfamiliar environment of the school,

overcrowded classes.

3. 2.3 Administrative Factors

Lack of supervision and weak administration. Indifferent attitude of administrative and

supervisory personnel towards the teaching community. Teacher’s absentees. Poor management

by administration, no proper check and balance contribute to low literacy rate. Hesitation of

female teachers to go to the schools located in remote areas. Inadequate/improper residential

facilities especially in far flung areas compelling tem to remain absent from school to attend

family problems .Inadequate knowledge of child psychology.

Other factors are below

 Undiagnosed learning disabilities

 Hearing or vision loss

 Lack of a role model, i.e. no one in the family or household stresses reading or education

 Poverty or a focus on survival needs rather than education

 Violence in the community or fear of violence, causing a student to miss large amounts of

school

 Moving from one school to another throughout childhood, so that education didn’t make

sense and didn’t fit together

 Leaving school at a young age to care for a sick or dying family member

 Leaving school at a young age to provide income for the family

 Living in a refugee camp where education was minimal or not available

 Being a foreigner and needing to learn English as a second language

3. 3 Consequences of Low Literacy

The consequences of low literacy are many. It negatively affects individuals in their daily lives

and can jeopardize their future. The issue also has a significant effect on society, both socially

and economically.
3. 3. 1 For individuals

 Limited ability to obtain and understand essential information

 Unemployment: The unemployment rate is 2–4 times higher among those with little

schooling than among those with bachelor’s degrees

 Low-literate adults who are employed often turn down promotions or advancement

opportunities because they fear the paperwork that will be required

 Lower income

 Lower-quality jobs

 Reduced access to lifelong learning and professional development

 Precarious financial position

 Little value is given to education and reading within the family, and this often leads to

intergenerational transmission of low literacy

 Low self-esteem, which can lead to isolation

 Impact on health: low literacy individuals have more workplace accidents, take longer to

recover and more often misuse medication through ignorance of health care resources and

because they have trouble reading and understanding the relevant information (warnings,

dosage, contraindications, etc.)

3. 3. 1 For society

 Since literacy is an essential tool for individuals and states to be competitive in the new

global knowledge economy, many positions remain vacant for lack of personnel

adequately trained to hold them

 The higher the proportion of adults with low literacy proficiency is, the slower the overall

long-term GDP growth rate is

 The difficulty understanding societal issues lowers the level of community involvement

and civic participation

 Additional costs to taxpayers due to increased unemployment compensation and welfare

payments

3. 3.3 Barriers to Getting Help

Despite the numerous advantages associated with undertaking literacy or basic training, low

literacy individuals face barriers that often prevent them from moving ahead.

 Family constraints and imperatives

 Individuals’ own disposition, in line with past learning experiences (e.g., doing badly at

school)

 Pessimistic outlook and low self-esteem

 Lack of confidence in their ability to learn

 Lack of money (precarious situation, barely enough money for basic needs)

 Schedule conflict with paid job

 Distance from training site

 Concerns with the program itself: duration, level of difficulty, anxiety about being able to

work at their own pace and relevance of content offered

 Difficulty dealing with change

 Shame at having their problem revealed to others

3. 4 Benefits of Literacy Efforts

Everyone has to work together to defeat low literacy and its impact. Without the participation of

individuals, community organizations, business and government, the situation will never be

turned around.

 Give young people from underprivileged backgrounds the means to study

 Better job opportunities (prerequisite for access to lifelong learning)

 Greater effectiveness at work

 Greater competitiveness

 More dynamic, enthusiastic workforce

 Greater productivity

 Stronger economy

 Better occupational health and safety record

 Higher retention levels (employees and clients)

 Facilitate knowledge transfer from workers nearing retirement to employees of all ages

 Raising workforce skill levels to foster employment

 Adjustment and entry into employment

 Impact on the shortage of manpower

 Lever for economic growth

3. 5 References

i) Felsch, R. (1955). Why Johnny can’t read: And what you can do about it. New York:

Harper & Rowe

ii) Bloome, D., Katz, L., Sols ken, J., Willett, J., & Wilson-Keenan, J. (2000).

Interpellations of family/community and classroom literacy practices. Journal of

Educational Research, 93(3), 155-163.

iii) Adams, M. J. (1990). Beginning to read: Thinking and learning about print.

Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.