Gospel for Asia

What is illiteracy? Illiteracy is the inability to read, write, speak and do basic math. It is also the inability to express and understand ideas and make decisions. There are also several other forms of illiteracy that exist in all cultures, especially in countries where poverty is prevalent. What is illiteracy? It’s more than just reading. Here are other forms of illiteracy: Health illiteracy People living in poverty are often uneducated in healthcare and have a difficult time making good healthcare decisions for themselves and their families. It is common for these people to believe old wives’ tales and myths. Financial and Numerical illiteracy People in cultures where poverty is prevalent often don’t understand how money works and sometimes use money irresponsibly. Simple numerical tasks are difficult for these individuals, which sometimes causes them to be exploited in the marketplace. Cultural illiteracy E.D. Hirsch, Jr., founder and chairman of the Core Knowledge Foundation and...

Asia is a great example of how literacy impacts culture and poverty. The South Asia highest literacy rate rose from 46% to 72% between 1990 and 2016. 1 Even though this is significant progress, over half of the world’s illiterate population lives in this region. The majority of these people are women and the elderly. The countries with the highest literacy rates in South Asia are: Azerbaijan, Singapore, Macao, Indonesia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bahrain, Bangladesh and Myanmar. 2 On the other end of the spectrum, reports indicate that the highest illiteracy rates in the region are found in Bhutan and Pakistan (55% of adults) and Bangladesh and Nepal (60% of adults). 3 What is being done? Free Education While some countries in the region provide free education, parents still need to provide books, uniforms and other school supplies. For many families, this is unattainable. Other countries do not offer free education, making schooling children almost impossible for poor families. Th...

Adult illiteracy is often listed as a major contributor to poverty in developing countries. When a person is illiterate, the only jobs they are qualified for are lower-income opportunities. With such limited opportunities, it becomes very difficult for adults to provide for their families or work their way out of debt . Sometimes, children are forced to work as well, which keeps them out of school, causing the cycle of poverty and illiteracy to continue. “ Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen, and use numeracy and technology, at a level that enables people to express and understand ideas and opinions, to make decisions and solve problems, to achieve their goals, and to participate fully in their community and in wider society.” 1 In many developing countries around the world, teaching an adult to read, write and do basic math makes a huge difference in his or her life. When an adult can apply for higher-income jobs, they can meet the needs of their family and break...

Functional illiteracy means a person can only read and write in basic forms; their abilities aren’t at the level required in the workplace or for societal activities. In contrast, a functionally literate person as defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is one who can “engage in all those activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning of his group and community and also for enabling him to continue to use reading, writing and calculation for his own and the community’s development”. 1 Sometimes, functionally illiterate people have had adequate schooling, but they don’t comprehend language or have elementary-level reading skills necessary for effective communication . It is important to note that these inabilities are not necessarily due to cognitive, sensory, neurological or mental disorders. In developing countries, this functional illiteracy is often due to limited schooling . In many cases, children are called u...