TCF Impact
TCF believes that illiteracy is the root cause of poverty. There is a
direct correlation between the average life expectancy at birth and the adult
literacy rate. People who have learned to read and write are more attentive to
hygiene and health, less fatalistic and are more likely to turn to a doctor in
time of need. Part of the solution to problems in the developing world lies in
education. Hungry people need to be fed, but also need to be able to earn their
own living. The sick need a cure, but must also be taught to avoid the
unhygienic practices that make them ill. The old adage, prevention is better
than the cure, needs to be re-taught and adhered to again.
Education can make the difference between temporary alleviation and
long-term solutions.
In terms of priorities, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and healing the sick will always seem to take priority over teaching the basics of literacy. But
illiteracy as a hindrance to development needs to be acknowledged if long-term
economic and social changes are to be affected.
Definition
Definitions of what level of reading and writing ability actually makes a person
'literate' vary. According to The World Christian Encyclopedia, literacy is
"the ability to read and write, as measured by the percentage of the adult
population who can read and write their own name and a simple statement. A
higher level of competence is required for functional literacy."
The term 'functional' literacy is used to describe a meaningful level of literacy
that can be put to practical use. This might mean people becoming aware of their
basic rights, participating in community life, learning everyday skills,
expressing themselves or achieving a measure of self-reliance.
The priority for women's literacy is understandable because of their special responsibility in passing
on knowledge to future generations. Teaching women to read and write helps to
improve the well-being of the entire family, reduces fertility rates, ensures a
greater emphasis on education for their children, balances family dietary and
sanitary conditions and boosts their status within the community. Education for
women is, therefore, a social necessity.
"Educate a boy and you educate one person. Educate a girl and you educate a
nation."
- Ibn Badis, an Algerian Muslim Reformist.
The Benefits Of Literacy
Literacy saves lives
The education of parents has greater total effect on child mortality than any other
factor. One year of a mother's education has been associated with a 9% decrease
in under 5 child mortality. Teaching mothers to read can lead to a decrease in infant
mortality of up to 50%.
Literates place higher value on the education of children. Adult education
encourages children's education. Children who live in an illiterate environment
tend to forget what they have learned. Literacy means easier access to political
and social arenas.
People who can read are better able to get involved in the society of which they
are a part.
- Literacy enables better money management.
- People who cannot read are more likely to be fooled or taken advantage of.
- Literacy enhances self-esteem and confidence.
- Literacy increases access to better paid jobs.
- Literacy means greater productivity on a national scale.
- In a recent study, a 20-30% increase in literacy produces a 8 -16% gain in Gross
Domestic Product (GDP).
- Literacy encourages later marriage and smaller families.
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