鈥淓ducation is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,鈥� former South African President Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest leaders of our time and recognized by the United Nations as a champion of peace and reconciliation, once said.
While education comprises many dimensions, among the most fundamental is 鈥榣iteracy鈥�.听
Defined as the ability to read and write at a basic level, literacy is important for several reasons - it supports economic growth; and is critical for sustainable development, ultimately empowering people, enabling them to participate fully in society, and contributing to improvements in livelihoods.听
Notably, advancing literacy represents an integral part of the UN鈥檚 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union's Agenda 2063.听
Lastly, literacy is a fundamental human right and a mechanism for realizing many other rights.
However, despite the broad significance of literacy, and although considerable progress has been achieved in raising literacy rates around the world during recent decades, illiteracy remains a global challenge.
Unfortunately, millions of people around the globe still lack basic literacy skills, with the majority being women, girls, and those from poor, marginalized communities. According to UNESCO, illiteracy is most significant in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.听Fifty听years ago, almost one-quarter of youth globally lacked basic literacy skills compared to less than 10 per cent in 2016.听
However,听UNESCO鈥檚 Institute for Statistics (UIS)听data show that 750 million adults 鈥� two-thirds of whom are women 鈥� still lack basic reading and writing skills, according to the latest available data for 2016. About 102 million of the illiterate population were between 15 and 24 years old.听
The global adult literacy rate was 86% in 2016, while the youth literacy rate was 91%. In Sub-Saharan Africa, adult literacy rate in 2016 stood at 65% up from 52% in 1990, while youth literacy stood at 75%, up from 65% in 1990.
Progress in Eritrea
In Eritrea, a young, developing country of approximately 3.5 million people, steady improvements in literacy are driving positive transformation and helping improve livelihoods.听
For decades, the country鈥檚 literacy rates were low, particularly among girls and women. However, since gaining her independence in 1993, Eritrea has made tremendous progress in literacy levels.听
Data from UNESCO鈥檚 Institute for Statistics for 2018 indicate that about 76.6 per cent of adults in the Eritrea are literate, with youth (15 鈥� 24 years) literacy standing at about 93.3 per cent. This shows progress from the 52 per cent literacy rate of adults and 77.9 per cent of youth in 2002. These figures stand out positively within the region and across the continent.听
Eritrea鈥檚 increases in youth literacy have been recognized by UNESCO as being among the biggest achieved听anywhere in the world over the past 50 years. 听
Eritrea鈥檚 remarkable progress is rooted in a number of factors and the result of a holistic approach. The country has made the promotion of education and literacy a national priority.听
鈥淔or a young, relatively small country, Eritrea is really endowed with considerable and diversified resources. It has huge potential in the extractive industry, rich marine resources, high tourism potential, and locational advantages. Notwithstanding these advantages, government policy has always centered on investing in human capital and youth, which are our greatest resource,鈥� Yemane Ghebremeskel, Eritrea鈥檚 Minister of Information, explains on why the focus on promoting education.
Throughout the country, hundreds of new schools and learning centres have been built. The current national total of over 2,900 educational facilities has helped increase capacity, reduce overcrowding, and raise enrolments.听
At the same time, more roads have been constructed, public transport services expanded, and bicycles distributed, to ease travel for students and hence broadening access to education for all.听
Educating the hard-to-reach
Basic education is compulsory for both girls and boys, and a child marriage legislation has been enacted, to keep more youths in school and help reduce historically massive gender disparities.听
Furthermore, the country鈥檚 policy of universal free education, covering pre-primary to higher education, ensures everyone, irrespective of background, distinction, or status, has the opportunity to enroll in education, become literate, and maximize their potential.听
Overall, the number of students enrolled has expanded greatly, rising from less than 250,000 at independence in 1993, to over 750,000 today.
Importantly, there is a focus on teacher recruitment, training, and support systems, which have contributed to vital improvements in quality. There are now over 20,000 teachers across all levels of education.听
Moreover, Eritrea鈥檚 mother tongue policy, offering education in the various ethnic languages of the country, has not only helped preserve Eritrea鈥檚 rich heritage and culture.听听It has meant more equitable access for all ethno-linguistic groups and improved enrolment, retention, and comprehension.听
Eritrea鈥檚 nomadic populations and other hard-to-reach groups, traditionally the most marginalized, continue to get opportunities to learn through the establishment of 65 mobile and boarding schools in remote areas.听
Finally, adult basic education and literacy enhancement programmes are extending learning opportunities to adults who may have been missed by the system. These programmes typically enroll approximately 35,000 annually, with growing numbers of female participants. Graduates can continue on with formal education or secure better employment.听
As well as raising adult literacy, these programmes help alleviate gender inequality and promote intergenerational learning.听
Helping to positively change lives, expand opportunities, and transform communities, Eritrea鈥檚 steady progress in improving literacy provides much to celebrate.
Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion is a researcher in Eritrea. His work focuses on human rights, development, health, and political economy.听Related links:听
