The Citizens Foundation

TCF believes that the lack of literacy 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 age old adage, prevention is better than cure, needs to be re-taught and adhered to once more.

Education can make the difference between temporary alleviation and long-term solutions.

In terms of priorities, teaching the basics of literacy will always come a poor second to feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and healing the sick. But illiteracy as an 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, but 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, not simply on the grounds of this inequality, but also because of women's 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, reduce fertility rates, ensure a greater emphasis on education for their children, balance family dietary and sanitary conditions and boost 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.

Literacy saves lives
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 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.