September 8: International Literacy Day

[Cleopatra]

Just a reminder: Today UNESCO celebrates the International Literacy Day.

I think that as Skeptics that we try to debunk weird beliefs we must be very concerned about the rates of illiteracy worldwide.

The rates are very high even in advanced societies, I was reading that in Greece the percentage goes as high as the 20% of the population.

It's more than sad that in 21st centure many fellow citizens remain unable ever to write their name.

I tried to find something in UNESCO's site but it seems that the relevant documents are in a restricted area of the site.

Maybe somebody with better search skills than mine can provide us with an article. Maybe the teachers of the forum can help us with that.

International Literacy Day (http://portal.unesco.org/education/ev.php?URL_ID=22463&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201&reload=1063050719)

[roger]

from UNESCO: http://www.unesco.org/education/educnews/ild_97/ild_eng.htm
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php@URL_ID=14457&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

found with this google search:

"international literacy day" site:www.unesco.org

[CapelDodger]

Hi Cleopatra:
The rates are very high even in advanced societies, I was reading that in Greece the percentage goes as high as the 20% of the population.
I am, as they say, gob-smacked by that. What's the problem? Even I managed to learn the Greek alphabet at school (mostly forgotten now, sadly). Is it a result of the disruptions of WW2 and the Civil War, or is is it still a problem with the younger generation?

Improving female literacy is probably the most productive contribution to development there is.

[Cleopatra]

Thanks Roger I am a completely and certified idiot when it comes to Googling.

I don't know what's the problem Capel Dodger

First all the largest percentage belongs to the older generations ( the average life rate here is one of the highest in the world) but Greek friends of mine that pay their military service( it's obligatory here) they say that meet many young illiterate young people in the Army. Most of them are gypsies or they live in isolated areas of the country.

The funny thing is that the first 9 years of Education are obligatory. It seems that none gives any attention to the fact that children learn very few things at school.

Greece is not the only European country that has such high rates of illiteracy. I must check the site of UN to see the relative table.