Literacy Trends in Pakistan - UNESCO Islamabad
Literacy Trends in Pakistan - UNESCO Islamabad
Literacy Trends in Pakistan - UNESCO Islamabad
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7. FUNCTIONAL LITERACYThe def<strong>in</strong>ition of literacy as well as the specific age group of the literate population, for census purposes, kept on chang<strong>in</strong>g both at the nationaland <strong>in</strong>ternational levels. Two def<strong>in</strong>itions of functional literacy are provided below as an example.Functionally literate: is a person “who can with understand<strong>in</strong>g, both read and write a short simple statement on his everydaylife”. (<strong>UNESCO</strong>. IBE.1976)Another def<strong>in</strong>ition of functionally literate person by Gray (1956) is provided below:‘A person is functionally literate when he has acquired the knowledge and skills <strong>in</strong> read<strong>in</strong>g and writ<strong>in</strong>g, which enable him toengage effectively <strong>in</strong> all those activities <strong>in</strong> which literacy is normally assumed <strong>in</strong> his culture or group’.Gray, W.S. The Teach<strong>in</strong>g of Read<strong>in</strong>g and Writ<strong>in</strong>g, Paris, <strong>UNESCO</strong>, 1956. (Monographs on Fundamental Education, X)This def<strong>in</strong>ition appears to be very simple and old, however the phrase “every day life” conta<strong>in</strong>s the seeds for evolution and transformation. Aslife patterns, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g amenities, gadgets, and procedures of transaction etc. change with time, the def<strong>in</strong>ition of functional literacy will have tocorrespond to them.8. LEVELS OF FUNCTIONAL LITERACY AND PROGRAMMES IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVEThere are three levels with specific programmes. These are described below:-Basic Level (Level-I)A) TARGET GROUPi) Adults who have never been to school or who have dropped out of school before acquir<strong>in</strong>g literacy skills.ii) Adults unable to read and write simple words, paragraphs or any other type of written statement without the help of ateacher.8