Illiterary

Muhammad Nasir Sultan

Roll number: 36
 What is illiteracy?
• It is the inability to read and write or lack of knowledge about a particular subject.

• An illiterate is someone, who has never been to school.

• In this way, the man lag far behind others who were schooled.

• Illiteracy, ultimately leads to unemployment and curses like

poverty and unskilled labor.

Illiteracy: A Barrier to Development and
Societal Progress
• In the current times, illiteracy remains a major
challenge around the globe, hindering individual and
societal progress.

• Despite progress in educational access, millions of

people worldwide still lack basic literacy skills.

• It remains one of the major causes of unemployment

around the globe.
 Illiteracy and Pakistan
• Illiteracy has been one of the major feature of Pakistani society.

• The current literacy rate of Pakistan is 62.3 which mean that an estimated population of 60 million

is illiterate in the country.

• Major source of employment in this country is agriculture labor, which does not require any

educational skill.

• Wages of such small role, makes it difficult for people to make their both end meets.
 Causes of Illiteracy
• Poverty: Poverty is a primary driver of illiteracy. Families struggling to meet basic needs often

prioritize immediate survival over education.

• Child Labor: Children in impoverished households may be required to work to support their

families, leaving little time for schooling.

• Lack of Access to Education In many regions, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas, access

to educational facilities is limited. Long distances to schools, lack of infrastructure, and insufficient

educational resources contribute to low literacy rates.

Cultural Attitude: Cultural attitudes towards education, particularly for girls and women, can
influence literacy rates. In some societies, traditional roles and gender biases restrict
educational opportunities for females, perpetuating cycles of illiteracy.

Political Instability: political instability disrupt educational systems. Displaced populations

often lack access to consistent schooling, leading to interrupted or entirely missed educational
opportunities.

Quality of Education: Even when education is accessible, the quality of teaching can be poor.
Overcrowded classrooms, untrained teachers, and inadequate materials can result in students
not acquiring essential literacy skills.

Economic Crisis: Any country having economic crisis

 Impacts
Economic Impact: Illiteracy limits employment opportunities and earning potential. An illiterate

workforce is less productive and innovative, disturbing economic growth and perpetuating poverty.

Health Outcomes: Literacy is closely linked to health outcomes. Illiterate individuals may struggle to

understand medical instructions, health information, or prescriptions, leading to poorer health and

higher mortality rates.

Social Discrimination: Illiteracy often leads to social exclusion and marginalization. Illiterate

individuals may feel ashamed and isolated, unable to participate fully in community and civic

activities.
Intergenerational Effects: Illiteracy can perpetuate across generations. Parents who cannot read
or write are less able to support their children's education, creating a cycle of educational
disadvantage.

Economic Crisis: Illiteracy limits employment opportunities and productivity, leading to a less
skilled workforce and reduced economic growth, which can precipitate an economic crisis.
 Way Forward/ Countering Illiteracy
Addressing Poverty: Alleviating poverty can have a direct impact on literacy rates. Economic

support for families, such as conditional cash transfers that incentivize school attendance, can help

reduce the need for child labor and increase school enrollment.

Abolishing Child Labor: Banning child labor can help minimize illiteracy within any society.

Improving Access to Education: Expanding access to quality education is critical. This includes

building more schools, especially in rural areas, and providing transportation and resources to

ensure that all children can attend school.

Empowering Girls Education: Ensuring that girls and women have equal access to education is

vital. Initiatives to challenge cultural norms and promote female education can lead to significant

improvements in literacy rates.

Enhancing Adult Education Programs: Adult literacy programs can provide opportunities for

those who missed out on formal education to acquire literacy skills. These programs should be

accessible, flexible, and tailored to the needs of adult learners

Investing in Teacher Training: Improving the quality of education requires investment in

teacher training. Well-trained teachers are better equipped to deliver effective literacy instruction

and support students' learning needs.

Thank You!