Last week, this column revealed that in 1995, eight per cent of people over 15 years of age (which would have equated to 62,000 adults) could not read even three of these words: to, at, love, sun, bet. A further 15 per cent of could only read a little, adding another 118,000 adults. According to two surveys, at best, our literacy rate stood at 78 per cent in 1995 with some 180,000 adults unable to cope with everyday basic reading and writing. This week, we look at how having so many people unable to read and write is affecting our economy.
Almost one quarter of our population is unable to cope with everyday reading and writing. How much is this costing Trinidad and Tobago? Have you ever thought about the impact our low literacy rate has on our economy? While we do not have local statistics, let’s look at it on a global level. According to the World Literacy Foundation, low levels of literacy cost the world US$1.19 trillion per year. Their 2015 report, which looked at the economic and social cost of low literacy levels, found that people who struggle to read and write become “trapped in a cycle of poverty with limited opportunities for employment or income generation and higher chances of poor health, turning to crime and dependence on social welfare or charity (if available)”.
Many citizens are currently trapped in this cycle which continues to have detrimental effects on our economy. One effect is lost earnings and limited employability. Often low literates remain unemployed and depend on social welfare to survive which has negative effects on economic growth. Many are employed, but their earning potential and the types of jobs they can pursue are limited.
People with poor literacy skills earn generally 30-42 per cent less than people who are literate and their income tends to remain the same throughout their working life, as their literacy skills stop them from furthering their studies (World Literacy Foundation, 2015). These limitations surely have an impact on their standard of living and that of their children.
Alta students sometimes have to work several jobs to make ends meet but our Impact Survey of 2012 showed that after completing the Alta programme, over half of our students benefitted from an increased salary as they could now find new jobs or get a promotion.
Another economic impact is a loss in business productivity. There are many people who can read and write just enough to function in society, but they struggle in today’s workplace. Business letters and emailing clients pose a challenge. This can cost businesses as it results in low productivity and reduced profitability. Potential and existing customers can be lost and money and time spent fixing incorrect orders, processing refunds and resolving internal problems due to misunderstandings.
Additionally, employees who are unable to read and write are more likely to have work-related accidents as they cannot read health and safety regulations or warnings. This can endanger the lives of others in the workplace and have an effect on long-term productivity.
Attending an Alta class can change this picture. Though new student registration is in September, employers can start talking to their employees about Alta.
Alta offers free community classes to adults (16+) in Trinidad and Tobago who struggle with reading and writing. Our curriculum is designed for adult learners in the Caribbean.
By tackling literacy we are tackling our unemployment rate, the economic empowerment of our people, as well as low productivity and profitability in businesses around the country—all of which have an impact on our economic growth and development.
• Join us next week as we look at the impact of our low literacy levels on our society.