U.N.E.S.C.O.’s New Plan Against Illiteracy

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30630, 22 December 1964, Page 25

U.N.E.S.C.O.’s New Plan Against Illiteracy

f.N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

NEW YORK, Dec. 21

With illiteracy winning Its race against education in many parts of the developing world, the U.N. Educational. Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (U.N.E.5.C.0.) today announced details of a new programme. Mr John Bowers, head ofi V N.E.S.C.O.’s adult literacy division, said eight develop-; ing nations would be chosen for the first five years of the programme, which would cost between 24 million dollars end 30 million dollars. The programme would be different because it would link literacy directly with practical uses for it. The newly-educated Africans. Asians, and Latin Americans would be able to use their knowledge immediately in reading agricultural instructions or simple blueprints in factories. “The world is littered with the debris of literacy campaigns," Mr Bowers said. "Hundreds and hundreds have been taught and given certifi-

cates. If they can make no use of their learning, in another year they're illiterate again. If there are no books or newspapers to read in their villages, if they do not need reading in their work they lose the skill.” Mr Bowers said that for this reason. U.N.E.S.C.O’s teachers would concentrate on areas “where there is a motivation for literacy—where it : can make a direct contribution to development” ■When a man learns to read and finds out that it immediately makes him a better farmer or higher-paid worker Mr Bowers said, this is real motivation, “not a literacy for literacy’s sake programme.” The eight nations, which have not yet been chosen, would be watched carefully by U.N.E.S.C.O. evaluation teams to see how increasing literacy aided their development.