Literacy Campaign

Thousands of formerly illiterate adults in Latin America have been taught to read and write through literacy campaigns organised by the co-ordinating secretariat of the ISC.

In a special interview. Armando Molina said that literacy campaigns had been organised in Mexico, Guatemala, and Bolivia; and an adult education campaign in Chile. The results had been very encouraging. In Bolivia for instance, 40-50% of those taking part in the courses were successfully taught to read and write.

The campaigns were organised through national unions of students, with some assistance from UNESCO, Mr. Molina said. Each programme started with a training seminar in which unpaid student volunteers were instructed in teaching methods. In Bolivia 3800 students had volunteered their services. After the training the actual literacy courses were run. Instruction times were planned so as to come before and after the ordinary man's working hours.

"Functional literacy" was the aim of the programme, said Mr. Molina. By this he meant not only the basic ability to read and write but also a little history, geography, arithmetic etc. Literacy was not just an end in itself but a means of raising the output and earnings of the people in the campaign areas.

Asked whether future extensions of the campaign were planned Mr. Molina said that for the moment there would be no further extensions in Latin America, but it was hoped to set up campaigns in Africa.