Meaning, Causes, Consequences and Solutions to Illiteracy

What is illiteracy?

Simply put, illiteracy is when a person can neither read nor write (in any language). As an instance, when a person is able to read and write in Chinese language but not in English Language; such a person is not an illiterate because he or she can read and write (in at least, one language).

Note: We should not be quick to judge anyone as illiterate just because they cannot read nor write in our preferred language.

According to statistics, about 30% of the world’s population are considered to be illiterate.

Generally, illiteracy has negative effects on the people and the society.

 

Causes of illiteracy

1. Poverty: In countries where the Basic Child Education is not free, poor parents will find it difficult to send their children or wards to school.

Recall that Education is one of the Fundamental Human Rights.

Please read on the Fundamental Human Rights here.

The Government of every Nation should therefore put in place free education, especially for the poor in the society.

2. Medical problems: This may result from learning disability such as dyslexia (a situation where children have difficulty in reading), dysorthographia (a learning disability whereby children have difficulty in writing) or even physical disability like blindness, deafness and dumbness.

Education may become difficult for children with any of the above medical conditions, especially those from poor background.

Please read on Arterial Disorders here.

3. Little or no awareness: Ignorance is considered by many as an "infectious disease".

As an instance, a person ignorant of HIV and AIDS is more likely to contact it because because he or she has no knowledge of its prevention.

Sadly, some uneducated parents living in rural areas are yet to understand the importance of education; even in this modern age.

Please read on Meaning and Objectives of Social Studies here.

Creating awareness on the importance of children and adult education will go a long way to encourage education, especially in the rural areas.

4. No parental support: Children without parents (orphans) may be adopted by families, only to end up as slaves without education in such families.

If the government fail to make good policies on behalf of these orphans, some may end up as street beggars or even criminals.

Please read on the Functions and Importance of Government here.

5. Illiteracy in parents: Illiteracy is seen more in the rural areas. This is so because some or most of the parents living in rural areas are uneducated (especially in Developing Nations).

The parents in these areas may not give priority or significance to education because they understand very little about the importance of education.

Note: Educated parent always know and appreciate the importance of education. To this end, they will put in their best to send their children or wards to school.

6. Culture: Certain culture may completely prohibit the education of a girl child for reasons best known to them.

Please read on the Harmful Traditional Practices in Nigeria here.

Note: All hand must be on deck on reorienting the people whose culture prohibits female education.

7. Corruption: A corrupt government may likely embezzle the budgetary allocation reserved for education; to the detriment of the masses.

Some may put in place very little structure and allocation towards education. Whenever this happens, the educational sector suffers.

Please read on the various Forms of Government here.

8. Lack of schools: In some developing countries, certain Local Government Areas (LGA's) have very few or no schools. Children living in these LGA's are likely to have little, poor or no education.

I had a practical experience as a corper (NYSC) in Nigeria. The Local Government Area where I served had no Government Secondary School.

 

Consequences or Effects of Illiteracy

1. An increased rate of unemployment in a society.

2. Increased crime rate within a society.
   Please read on Black Market here.

3. Misappropriation of Government’s fund because more prisons will be built instead of schools.

4. An increase in the rate of child marriage.
   Please read on Gender Equality and ways to achieve it here.

5. Increase in substance and drug abuse.
   Please read on Drug Abuse in Adolescents here.

6. Creates an undeveloped society and nation.

7. Illiteracy promotes illiteracy (that’s why some people consider it to be a disease).

8. Illiteracy brings about medical diseases and poor health. For instance, illliterates may not understand what HIV is; not to talk about how it can be prevented.

9. Illiterate people may not exercise their right to vote.

10. They may end up earning low income which will not be equivalent to the complexity of their job.
    Please read on the Disadvantages of Money here.

11. Frustration as a result of low self esteem.
    Please read on Self Esteem and ways to improve on Low Self Esteem here.

 

Solutions to illiteracy

1. Educational awareness should be created in every community.

2. Government should increase budgetary allocations to education.

3. More libraries should be created while the people should be encouraged to have access to free books.

4. Scholarship programs, education subsidy and grants should be created to encourage education.

5. Government should create easy and cheaper access to internet facilities.
   Please read on Router (an internetworking device) here.

6. Government should create more jobs for the educated in order to encourage education.

7. Government and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should create special schools for the physically challenged in the society.

8. Government, Private Indusries and Individuals should support academic platforms; for instance LEN ACADEMY.
   Please read on LEN ACADEMY Basic Science Questions for JSS1, 2nd Term.

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This content is written by Alfred Ajibola