Government
is the nerve of any county. Many Saharan government like that of Tanzania,
Nigeria and South Africa have high rates of corruption resulting in the down
growth of these nations.
Moreover,
economic opportunities available to the people of Africa are way to less for
successful implementations of initiatives. Unemployment and poverty are major
factors of illiteracy. Government programs reach very less population to have
high rate of success.
In
addition to this, Covid 19 has worsen the situation for these students.
Pandemic has either destroyed or slowed down the functioning of many
institution. Educational sectors are among the many to see a downfall both in
economic aspect as well as in the social aspect. Being developing regions,
gadgets and technology is merely available to these children. This has
collapsed the educational framework of the region.
Not to mention, the high amount of adult illiteracy is spreading
so spontaneously. When we talk about education we only tend to concentrate on
schools and children and often neglect the grown-up adults which forms 50% of
our population. Statistics show that educated parents are more likely to send
their children to school. Adult education provides them a chance to reframe
their lives and break out of social evils like poverty. Educated population
question many outdated ideas of society and demands for newer and efficient
ones. This can give boost to a country’s economy as they are the major
producers and consumers.
Furthermore,
Women and especially girl child are not allowed to go to schools and considered
a liability in different parts of the world. Education facilities are
restricted to only male population and even if girls enrol, the facilities
offered by the schools in terms of sanitation and needs are too low, for being
the main reason of many girl dropouts. The academic results show their interest
in learning, yet they remain the most neglected part of society. As the famous
African proverb goes: If you educate a man, you educate an individual and if
you educate a woman, you educate a nation, is baseless if our social laws barn
women from gaining education.
So, what
can we do to increase literacy levels in Sub- Saharan Africa?
Implementing
Subsidy programs can increase growth opportunities for people in various parts
of these countries. Utilization of maximum resources both natural and human
with proper strategies and plans can help in long run. Inclusion of basic
technology can be done to tackle illiteracy in remote areas.
In order
to tackle the issue of illiteracy providing creative and quality solutions are
need of the hour. This includes firstly, encouraging outreach efforts into
disadvantaged communities by creating
public and private outreach efforts to go into these communities in order to
identify high-risk households.
Secondly, connecting people through literacy services they may need to be able to find a path out of their
disadvantage situation.
Using incentives to
attract children and parents to overcome negative attitudes towards education.
This could include incorporating a vocational component to schooling that would
improve household income prospects.
Thirdly, developing tutoring and reading for fun programs for slow learners to help them keep up with their peers and to overcome lack of engagement in reading. Also, encouraging families and modifying societies mindset by conducting programs and initiatives at a ground level can increase the numbers of girl child in school.
Fourthly,
Adult literacy centers can be opened in many remote areas. Around 2,500
literacy centers have been opened by National Commission for Human Development
– a support organization of the Ministry of Education. As adult literacy
enables people to pave better ways to the future and build strong blocks for
the nation.
These solutions are
applicable in almost all scenarios and can pave to remove illiteracy from root.
It has touched various social components and provided effective ways to tackle
this issue in the most cost-efficient way. Hence, has great potential in
future.
Africa remains the root of human civilization. So, we must together combat illiteracy from Africa and the world as whole for a safer and better future.
(This article has been sent by Poornima Nair, a resident of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.)
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