Education researchers working in sub-Saharan Africa have recently and rapidly expanded the availability of evidence related to the impact of educational interventions on learning outcomes, particularly in preprimary and lower primary education (Ganimian & Murnane, 2016; McEwan, 2015; Popova, Evans, & Arancibia, 2016). Awareness that…

Explores purposes of literacy education, ranging from the political imperatives of governments to the goals of literacy campaigns to the reasons why people want to be literate. (SK)

Literacy is not an end in itself; the real concern is that illiterate people do not have access to the knowledge and skills that can improve their situation. Literacy education should be tied to a process of economic development. (SK)

Mass illiteracy is recognized by many Nigerians as a debilitating malady that must be addressed if the nation is to make developmental headway. The Mass Literacy Campaign, launched to attempt to reduce illiteracy, has not made a significant impact because of poor planning, poor funding, poor programs, and inadequate staff. (JOW)

Discusses the factors which determine how well adult literacy campaigns succeed in developing countries. Political motivation, the scope of the program, organizational structure, educational resources, teacher characteristics, and the language of instruction are examined. Ten generalizations concerning the planning of effective literacy training…

Concludes that a Mass Literacy Campaign in a complex political setting in a nation such as Nigeria, devoid of ideological orientation and lacking in a popularist approach to the elimination of illiteracy, has limited chances of success despite the attractions and merit of a literate citizenry. (JOW)

Discusses the problem of eradicating illiteracy in developing countries, where the illiteracy rate may average about 70 percent. Looks at the Arab countries, Latin America, Africa, and India and the factors that thwart attempts to increase literacy in those countries. These include religious habits and the problem of language in multilingual…

Depicts the U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO as an opportunity to initiate a new approach to international cooperation. Summarizes the reasons for U.S. withdrawal, inherent risks (isolationism, Soviet dominance, lack of a suitable replacement program), and steps in developing a new international educational organization more acceptable to U.S. values.…

African nations can only hope to make drastic changes in their societies through education of their young and, just as importantly, by providing library services through extension programs to those adults, however non literate, that comprise the producers and decision makers in the present social structure. These people need functional information…

Evaluates the mission of schools in industrialized nations to transmit literacy and numeracy skills to persons generally considered disadvantaged. Data are analyzed for the United Kingdom, the United States, and France. (Author/DB)

Population education programs are discussed relative to their impact on the social, cultural, and economic aspects of rapid population growth in the Asia Pacific region. (MCO)

Literacy among adults is advocated over universal primary education for children in developing societies. It is argued that the needs of children may best be served by increasing the informal education of adults. (JMF)

Reviewing educational and economic development efforts in Third World countries, the author concludes that vocational education is not the solution. A combination of nonformal education and technology training, with related literacy training, would be more effective in improving the quality of life. (SK)

Presents a discussion of the rethinking of the role of literacy in African nations. Emphasis is needed on measurement concepts for peasants. Cultural motivations are suggested as important considerations when planning literacy programs. (SA)

A fervent idealist whose dream was to eliminate illiteracy throughout the world, Frank C. Laubach sought to bring Christianity to the masses by giving them the ability to read and spread the teachings of the Bible. In working with people in the nonindustrialized nations, Laubach also saw the need for economic and political self-sufficiency. He…