"Action research to improve youth and adult literacy"

Published by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and

UNESCO Multi-sectoral Regional Office in Abuja

Please follow this link to download the book:

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002322/232243e.pdf

Dear,

thanks for the invitation! Certainly with a good project, this will be possible.

In my opinion, students from public universities, in retribution, could work on it!

Greetings!

The universitaries have the potential to change this problem, but it is necessary the implication of politicians who provide resources and the consciousness in the society that to give education to children is better future for all the set of the society.

Thank you, Mariano.

On one hand, the simple answer is, "Yes, universities can help, by graduating elementary and secondary school education majors!"

Children illiteracy has to be tackled locally, often in locations with no university nearby. But I do agree with Osmar. Some universities in the US, maybe even most, do have tutoring programs, in which students have a young mentee in the town. I'm sure this helps, but I don't think it can be a complete solution.

Adult education can solve children's problem

Parents’ Low Literacy Directly Affects Their Children’s Performance in School

There is a direct link between parents’ education level and children’s performance in school. Studies show that the children of parents who have less than a high school education tend to do poorest on reading tests.

http://literacyconnects.org/img/2011/11/US-Adult-Lit-Programs-Making-a-Difference-Research-review.pdf

Dear Mariano Ruiz Espejo,

Thankyou for the invitation.

     Yes, universities can be a part of eradicating illiteracy. Involving girl students more in education will improve the betterment of their family. So,as the society.

Thank you.

Yes it can , Prof Krishnan has said it all 

Dear Mariano

Thank you for sharing this question with me. Well the answer is YES. Universities has the potential to eradicate children illiteracy. Universities are meant for research and they can redirect their research in finding the problum and hurdles in child litracy. And even thye can find issues which need to be handle with priority. Universty professors can lead in the development and execution of child litracy policies.

Thank you

Kind regrads

Bahadur Singh

- Interactive shared sessions with parents

- Activities for building confidence in children

These activities nurture educational process

http://www.thereader.org.uk/what-we-do-and-why/education-young-people.aspx

Dear Mariano Ruiz Espejo,

The concept of "literacy" has taken center stage in the field of early education is only for the past decade. Prior to that, experts rarely viewed literacy as an essential aspect of healthy growth and development of young children. The current level of problems with reading among school children remains unacceptably high.

To date, focus on pre-literacy as an integral part of the education of children at an early age comes from two emerging areas of research, which show that:

Individual differences among children in pre-literacy skills substantively important - manifested early differences contribute significantly to longitudinal reading performance indicators;

On the extent of the problems with reading, most likely, can be influenced through prevention rather than through remedial education, because if a particular child is behind in reading in elementary school, it is more likely that a return to healthy progress will not happen.

I believe that the university can not solve the problem of child illiteracy, it will be difficult. Illiterate children how to go to university?

Regards, Shafagat

"Action research to improve youth and adult literacy"

Published by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and

UNESCO Multi-sectoral Regional Office in Abuja

Please follow this link to download the book:

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002322/232243e.pdf

Educating Young Children: Active Learning Practices for Preschool and Child Care Programs

"The cornerstone of the High/Scope approach to early childhood education

is the belief that active learning is fundamental to the full development of human potential and that active learning occurs most effectively in settings that provide developmentally appropriate learning opportunities. Therefore, the overarching goal of our early childhood work is to establish a flexible, “open framework,” operational model that supports developmentally appropriate education in diverse settings. In doing so, we have made the following basic assumptions about human growth and development:

• Human beings develop capacities in predictable sequences throughout their lives. As people mature, new capabilities emerge.

• Despite the general predictability of human development, each person displays unique characteristics from birth, which through everyday interactions progressively differentiate into a unique personality. Learning always occurs in the context of each person’s unique characteristics, abilities, and opportunities.

• There are times during the life cycle when certain kinds of things are learned best or most efficiently, and there are teaching methods that are more appropriate at certain times in the developmental sequence than at others..."

by Mary Hohmann and David P. Weikart

http://trinitypreschoolsc.org/wp-content/uploads/Active_Learning_The_Way_Children_Construct_Knowledge-1.pdf

Dear

Literacy unlocks human potential and is the cornerstone of development. It leads to better health, broadens employment opportunities, and creates safer and more stable societies. However, a 2013/2014 UNESCO report indicates that 250 million children across the globe are not learning basic literacy and numeracy skills. Of these, 57 million children—a disproportionate number of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, live in conflict-afflicted countries, are disabled, or are girls—aren’t enrolled in school at all.

Children who do not develop reading skills during early primary education are on a lifetime trajectory of limited educational progress and, therefore, limited economic opportunities. Early grade reading competency is critical for continued retention and success in future grades and the educational achievement of a country’s population is directly correlated with its economic growth rate. UNESCO further reports that an increase in the average educational attainment of a country’s population by one year increases annual per capita GDP growth from 2 percent to 2.5 percent.

regards

saeed 

If people are open-minded everything is possible, right?

E.g. why is it important to show that children are able to rapidly read a text in X seconds given that the same text can be interpreted in different ways by different people? 

Children's illiteracy has nothing to do with Universities! Insufficiently literate children can not go to college before acquiring the necessary knowledge and becoming qualified to enrol. 

Universities can resolve the problem of children illiteracy, if the students are motivated.

Dear Mariano,

illiteracy/literacy should first be defined. If an individual can just read and write may be considered as literate, otherwise illiterate. If the education levels are divided into school and university, one can define literacy  at these two levels. I suppose for each level a basic knowledge should be thought. In addition, a basic level of education may be different from place to place, because of different expectation with respect to the different requirement in a place. Therefore, every society should see if the basic education is given to their children? That is to see if the definition of illiteracy/literacy is observed or not?

No, but the governments can. Universities can grant the skills and knowledge. Literacy is lowest and basic need, we must leave that to schools. The primary education is basic requirements to resolve the problem of child illiteracy. Thanks

Literacy problems need radical solutions starting from a young age with the participation of all parties, not universities.

Probably in country like India Govt. should initiate/introduce 'compulsory education' by motivating illiteracy families so that we can solve the problem. This can also done by universities (University Grants Comission) they are part of Govt. Compare to old era literates are gradually increasing, may take a bit of time to get cent per cent literacy. Hope we can solve the illiteracy issue globally soon.

List of countries by literacy rate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_literacy_rate

Literacy Resources

https://www.winnipegsd.ca/schools/Kelvin/StudentResources/khslibrary/Pages/Literacy-Resources.aspx

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY 2012

http://www.uis.unesco.org/literacy/Pages/literacy-day-2012.aspx

National Mission for Female Literacy launched

http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/national-mission-for-female-literacy-launched/article17029.ece

What about create IoT (Internet of things) of more literacy and clearness, which can be helpful for distant learning.

Thanks for sharing. In my opinion, universities can not solve the problem of children illiteracy as their role is different. But, universities, especially those which are dealing with literature, can contribute to the solution of the aforementioned problem in collaboration with the state. In any case, if there is not a strong will by the state and the families which appear this problem, to solve this, results would be unsatisfactory.

Regards 

In my country CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. This deals with Secondary Education. UGC also comes under Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, 'attempt to formulate a national system of education in India came In 1944', motto of UGC is 'quality higher education for all'. These organizations 'functions under the overall supervision of the Controlling Authority which is vested with the Secretary (School Education & Literacy), Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India'.

Dear Mariano:

Yes, Universities can help to solve children or adult illiteracy problems. A way to do this is through voluntary programs organized by universities as part of academic activities.  The scope of this kind of programs, in which professors, researchers and students participate, depends on the magnitude of funding. In my country university voluntary projects have been something usual. They are an important way of bringing Universities closer to the problems of communities.

Yes, Of course.

Literacy issues in children needs to be addressed at preschool level with strong promotion of literacy numeracy and an emphasis on attendance at both pre school and school. Offering parents after school literacy classes could also prove useful. Parent may also be illiterate and too embarrassed to let their children know. Putting supports into primary schools such as retired teachers using word puzzles and games to make it fun. When something is fun challenging or a game then you grasp attention of all ages. Looking at local folktales doing stories related to the child's culture promotes learning also songs and rhymes. Literacy or the lack of it needs to be measured and understood before it can be addressed. Once the cause is identified then remedial action can be taken.

Can universitaries resolve the problem of children illiteracy?

Think universities can help but not resolving children illiteracy e.g. education campaigns to general public, educating students in universities so that in future they can function as better parents to their children etc.  

Other equally important entities / organizational bodies include: NGO's education awareness campaigns for parents, educational fairs, counseling programs etc., government's social outreach efforts, educational policy, economic subsidies like: school fees, text book, tax deductible items like computer, Internet broadband etc. can contribute to address children illiteracy problem.

Addressing head of family like parent, guardian etc. can better address children illiteracy problem.

I agree with the answer of Seyed Mehdi Mohammadizadeh.

Regards

SM Najim 

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

"The Problem of Illiteracy

What exactly is illiteracy? Illiteracy is defined in the Webster’s dictionary as: 1) not educated; especially, not knowing how to read or write. 2) showing a lack of education --noun. a person who does not know how to read or write -- illiteracy. May-be someone can read just a little, some can make out the sounds of a word and some just cannot read at all. Illiteracy is a “loss” to those who cannot read or write. The impact of illiteracy is devastating. This problem causes other problems as listed below.

· Loss of job opportunities in the market place

· Without a job people must rely on

- Unemployment

- Social Assistance to survive, Welfare, Medicare

· The illiterate does not have the reading and writing skills to reinforce these skills in their children.

- The illiterate cycle begins here!

· Illiteracy promotes high level of criminal behavior.

- Example: Correctional facilities have an average of Grade Three reading level.

Not only does the definition of illiteracy mean “loss” but to me it’s the root of poverty, crime and lost productivity in our cities.

Now that I have defined illiteracy, I want to raise the awareness of this problem, how it relates to women and propose a policy to help solve the problem. Illiteracy exists in America and in all nations all over the world, and the percentages of illiterate women are much higher than illiterate men. Many people assume that illiterate Americans are concentrated in large cities with troubled schools. Although this may be true in some cases, there are rural areas where illiterate women are overlooked.

According to the most recent statistics in the World Education Report, a study released last year by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, almost one-quarter of the world’s population, or 905 million individuals between 15 years of age and adulthood cannot read. Women account for 65 percent of the globe’s illiterate population. That’s more than half! Many women become and are dependent because of this problem. Illiteracy rates among females in some South Asian and African countries reach 80 percent because of culture. In Nepal, 93 percent of women over 30 live without being able to read. The majority of women that have this problem are due to:

1. culture

2. social aspects of women

3. religion

4. history

5. poverty

6. family responsibility

7. access to where classes are taught

We can look at the above factors in determining the reason for ..."

Please, see the link ......

http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=71054

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

Here, "Derek Bok" is confirming that Universities are not putting any effort on illiteracy" :

"Again and again, universities have put a low priority on the very programs and initiatives that are needed most to increase productivity and competitiveness, improve the quality of government, and overcome the problems of illiteracy, miseducation, and unemployment. "

Find out the cause of illiteracy which might differ between individuals, between families, between cultures, between geographic regions, etc....

At some scale, each indivdual can not read or not write a foreign language X. This is also the case for the so-called most intelligent people in the world....

Summer courses of any language at universities can put an answer to the problem of illiteracy at any language X.

Thank you for posting this issue. Due to the wars and the weakness of the international community to stop it, and that the powerful countries not shy when not vote to stop using the DU and other shells. This lead of stream of immigrations within their countries or abroad and these reasons for that child illiteracy and lost their most basic rights (Education). In my opinion, the roles of universities important are to provide modern methods to teach these kids and not traditional methods. 

Literacy unlocks human potential and is the cornerstone of development. It leads to better health, broadens employment opportunities, and creates safer and more stable societies. However, a 2013/2014 UNESCO report indicates that 250 million children across the globe are not learning basic literacy and numeracy skills. Of these, 57 million children—a disproportionate number of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds, live in conflict-afflicted countries, are disabled, or are girls—aren’t enrolled in school at all.

http://allchildrenreading.org/about-us/problem/

Universities can only try. It takes the concerted effort of government at all levels to enact and enforce laws to ensure that people seek education and hence become literate.

This is a joint project from public decisors, society; Universities and the world´s importance on education process. Of course education is the key for a better society and world.

Although lack of interest in education is due to ignorance, the majority reason for illiteracy in childhood is due to 

Example - Philippines

https://psa.gov.ph/content/out-school-children-and-youth-philippines-results-2013-functional-literacy-education-and

More than half of the world's out‐of‐school children live in just 15 countries! Bring them to school, then make them literate. 

There has been tremendous progress towards universal primary education, especially in developing countries, during the past decade. However, many countries are still to reach this goal, and the 69 million of primary school‐aged children still not attending school in 2008 bears witness to the challenges that remain to reach this goal by 2015...

Primary schooling, not University!

http://www.unesco.org/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/ED/GMR/pdf/gmr2010/MDG2010_Facts_and_Figures_EN.pdf

@Ljubomir Jacić this is easier said than done.

At the outset it is the programming line of education policy of the government where education should may be compulsory for all boys & girls in the primary level of the school .

It is this introspection which help school children not only to study & learn the subject as per the syllabus but it may also create & healthy competition among the students .

With this it is also likely that in the line with family environment students may not nourish & come out successful in the early schooling in such cases such student should be trend for another traits or for   other  activities in liking .

For other students who have gone for secondary completion for the course they may go for the higher study & at this stage it is the university we should find out the student of intellectual level of requisite interest of the subject . University should give such student an opportunity to play their part in his growth of his career . 

This is only my personal opinion 

Thanks for asking. Even if this looks a socio-political issue and not scientific, it seems pertinent and still current! See the link below from UNESCO, a trustable Organization:

“Understanding education quality

The goal of achieving universal primary education (UPE) has been on the international agenda since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirmed, in 1948, that elementary education was to be made freely and compulsorily available for all children in all nations. This objective was restated subsequently on many occasions, by international treaties and in United Nations conference declarations.1 Most of these declarations and commitments are silent about the quality of education to be provided.

…”

http://www.unesco.org/education/gmr_download/chapter1.pdf

The universitaries could do it, but if they cannot resolve their own problems with their work all is illusion. It is necessary the responsibility of other actors as administrators of the State or the Ministry of Education. I think that also religious and moral teachings is other principle for an adequate scholarization.

Example of universities role in evolving a program

Western Michigan University early childhood program will provide you with:

Hello,

I agree with Mariano and Krishnan Umachandran. Also, that universities themselves often have difficulties in solving their own problems. Given the current moment, here in Brazil, everything involving participation of politicians, already starts doomed to failure and with misuse of public resources!

Greetings!

It would be injustifiable to spend much money in superfluous concepts and do not care the future of children and of the society. It is necessary to have clear the supremacy of the human being over other material concepts which are less important.

Yes , it can, if they want to do so.

Literacy of children is promoted at the local, family, and individual level, and is not strongly depending on the actions of universities, except maybe in the education of teachers.

As @Jerry has stated, here is the example of the Institution.

http://www.uni.edu/coe/departments/curriculum-instruction/literacy-education

I efforts are required at all levels. It has to start at the beginning.

In-formal and Non-formal education to start at a very young age from home or nearby centers like Anganwadi Centres in India. Nursery schools and the formal education system.

Universities can with research devise better ways to deal with the problem of illiteracy. NSS Volunteers have been involved in the each one teach one programmes initiated by NSS departments of the universities where the students of a college or university adopt villages/colonies and spread awareness about education - formal, informal, non-formal, adult education etc. 

Educations signs that the growth process and has become less pro-poor in the sense with better responsive to growth in India.

The universitaries devoted to education must be incentivated, also when the students are children.

Yes, we can. But, who does he resolve the problems of a dign life of an universitary who works to erradicate the children illiteracy?

Possible, it is. But while there is corruption in politics it is more difficult.

Looking at illiteracy: Consequences and solutions!

Sixteen percent of Mississippi adults are illiterate. Some of those with limited reading skills turn to the state's community college system for help...

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/12/17/looking-illiteracy-consequences-solutions/95566342/

Supposed to academies and scientific institutions offering studies to solve problems and including illiteracy.

Universities can use new internet communication technologies to offer exciting possibilities for overcoming geographical access and cost barriers to learning. 

http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/477/1012

Jesus Christ was not illiterate. For example, he read in the sinagogues texts of Isaiah as the Gospel describes, concretely in the sinagogue of Nazareth.

As power, we can do it. But it is necessary that such power goes acompanied of a dign life for the teachers, and this is work of administration.

@Mariano, This is purely a political issue. Private universities do not support literacy campaigns. Money is the focus. Public universities need to be political correct; so the decision belongs to the Democratic values of each population. Examples:

1)     Use Cuban Literacy Campaign,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Literacy_Campaign It is a good example for the democracies all over the planet.  

2)     USA (data 2013); According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy, 32 million adults in the U.S. can’t read. That’s 14 percent of the population. 21 percent of adults in the U.S. read below a 5th grade level, and 19 percent of high school graduates can’t read. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/06/illiteracy-rate_n_3880355.html

3)     See below literacy rate at the international level: http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-highest-literacy-rates-in-the-world.html

4)     France: http://www.areva.com/EN/group-3807/france-anlci-national-agency-to-fight-illiteracy.html, « In France today, there are 2,500,000 people, which corresponds to 7 % of the population from 18 to 65 years of age, who do not have basic literacy skills.. ».

The intention of universitaries is not sufficient, it is necessary the honesty of politicians and administrators too.

I agree with Prof. Mariano

793 millions of persons are illiterate, the most part women.

http://ethic.es/2011/09/mas-de-840-000-analfabetos-en-espana/

Universitaries form part of the solution indoubtably.

Other part of the solution is in the parents of children, they must give the better education to their children with help or without help of the State, it is their responsibility.

Universities need to check all student classifications for presence of barrier or constraints to learning, such as inadequate conditions, excessive work load, absenteeism, critical contribution and seek to gain an understanding of agreement and push for facilitation of learning

Other part of the solution are the authorities, administrators and fosters of education. All of them must contribute to a good solution for the good of the children and of the future society.

This is the problem of thinking in the neighbours, in the children, and in their future. Who does not think in others, what can we hope of him/her?

Good social managers/politicians/administrators/vocational teachers are necessary too.

Literacy Challenges for the Twenty-First Century! 

Fine collection of articles about children (il)literacy. "This issue of the Future of Children explores the literacy of America’s children and how to improve it. We begin this introductory essay by reviewing briefly why literacy is so important in today’s world and why the concept of literacy needs to be broadened to include a set of competencies that go well beyond the ability to recognize words and decode text. We end with a summary of the other articles in the issue and briefly consider what steps policy makers might take to respond to the urgent needs we cite."

-Literacy Challenges for the Twenty-First Century: Introducing the Issue

-Patterns of Literacy among U.S. Students

-The Role of Out-of-School Factors in the Literacy Problem

-Improving Reading in the Primary Grades

-Reading and Reading Instruction for Children from Low-Income and

 Non-English-Speaking Households

-Adolescent Literacy: Learning and Understanding Content

-The Importance of Infrastructure Development to High-Quality Literacy

 Instruction

-Technology Tools to Support Reading in the Digital Age

http://futureofchildren.org/publications/docs/22_02_FullJournal.pdf

CSA is a vast organization focused on development and upliftment of the society as a whole.

http://googleweblight.com/?lite_url=http://christuniversity.in/csa_cufe/extras.html&ei=5ujLnLw3&lc=en-IN&s=1&m=731&host=www.google.co.in&ts=1483884083&sig=AF9Nednep2FJOcnSzOXMlfq0nSNRfkVNtQ

If universitaries are not able to resolve the problem, they form part of the solution with other helps and organization.

As all question of justice it is necessary cohertion, the obligated assistance to the school of the children. In other case it must be justified by the parents to the teacher.

A good teacher is not forgotten.

New program boosts students’ literacy skills!

“Research shows children who fall behind in reading are unlikely to catch up. We want to arm our teachers with the latest proven strategies – what works and, just as importantly, what doesn’t.”...

We should have in mind that every teacher is a teacher of literacy. That is what good teachers are dear @Mariano.

http://www.educatoronline.com.au/news/new-program-boosts-students-literacy-skills-229508.aspx

Teaching to children can be an act of charity too because they do not have money to pay their education, and in some cases nor the parents.

I think that universitaries are necessary, and social organization too.

I am thinking that Universitites are confined to higher education and responsible for  enhance the qulitity and research in higher education. Govt. and other social organizations play vital role in reduce the rate of illiteracy in children. I think  basically  it is a social responsiblity to eradicate the illiteracy in children especially in rural and slum areas of the cities.

Universities should be Nodal Agency for training with wider networking with Government and NGO for employable support.

Thank you, Ljubomir, Geddada and Krishnan.

Yes, good teachers and the social conscience of this necessity of the children that it will help them in all their life.

Children literacy is one of the first steps to do free the future adult. Freedom is one of the most desired state of man. Literacy helps to get freedom.

Illiteracy implies that the illiterate is not free to read for himself when he likes. He has a dependence of others and their will which can be good or bad.

I do not understand how can a person be author of a book being illiterate. This has happened in the history. It is more productive do not lie and learn the own language in the school since children.

Inequality and Medical Education – A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

A great person has a greater chance to become a great physician. A less than mature medical student facing medical education may progress, but such a student may also regress – a sad but all too common consequence of medical education.

- Robert C. Bowman, M.D.

http://www.ruralmedicaleducation.org/Inequality_and_Medical_Education.htm

Student writing in higher education: An academic literacies approach!

This article addresses the issue of student writing in higher education. It draws on the findings of an Economic and Social Research Council funded project which examined the contrasting expectations and interpretations of academic staff and students regarding undergraduate students' written assignments. It is suggested that the implicit models that have generally been used to understand student writing do not adequately take account of the importance of issues of identity and the institutional relationships of power and authority that surround, and are embedded within, diverse student writing practices across the university. A contrasting and therefore complementary perspective is used to present debates about ‘good˚s and ‘poor˚s student writing. The article outlines an ‘academic literacies˚s framework which can take account of the conflicting and contested nature of writing practices, and may therefore be more valuable for understanding student writing in today's higher education than traditional models and approaches...

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03075079812331380364

I believe in children literacy free of bad intentions.

I think it is  a social responsibility and  socio-economic conditions of a particular region also have a  good impact on the child illiiteracy

The literacy is almost necessary to act lawful in society.

Literacy is dignity because it liberates us of ignorance.

Literacy is a form of preserving truths in a writting text. But not all writting text says the truth necessarily. So, literacy without moral education is inuseful.

Literacy is a mean for saving people, but for itself is not sufficient because it needs good will to be effective.

Illiteracy in adult ages is a serious problem for the administration, transmission of informations, contracts, etc.

Literacy liberates of future ignorances and incommunications. Literacy is a service to the humanity.

The term "lecturer" to refer to a university teacher could come from "reader", a term used in the church for who reads the word of God to others in a temple. All these are not illiterate as they show.