Literacy

Press, 10 July 1989, Page 20

Literacy

Sir, —The Prince of Wales is certainly not alone in his concern about falling standards in the teaching of English. I have received three pages of material from a company promoting a security device. Typical of many such publicity statements, it is full of spelling mistakes — 16 of them. I also have before me a copy of a school report on the progress of one of my grandchildren. In this report, signed by both the-teacher and the principal, the word definite is spelt “definate,” maintenance is spelt "maintainance” and the words “letter formation and presentation” are followed by a singular verb. Letters appearing recently in the columns of Australian newspapers indicate a similar concern about literacy there. One correspondent, whose letter was published under the heading “Literate yesteryears,” wrote: “A hundred years ago my parents were fortunate to have received an education — two to three years primary schooling. They could read books, write letters in good script... What has happened?” Surely, the same question could be posed in New Zealand.—Yours, etc., E. S. PALLISER. July 3, 1989.

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