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Literacy: A Foundation for the Development of society

Introduction

Literacy is a basic rights and human right to knowledge. It only makes sense if it leads to participation in cultural and social activities. There is empowerment means the ability to make decisions and control the affairs of his own life, economically, socially and politically, it is the first step in a life-long process of gaining the man and women. Life without literacy is life without hope, security and freedom. It is the foundation of all skills and pre-requisite for economic development. In addition, as Stromquist (1995) in modern societies skills Literacy is essential to informed decision making, personal empowerment, active and passive in the social community locally and globally.

At the same time, literacy is useful in the development of human relations, economics, political structure and social nations and culture. All these aspects are specifically described below.

Individual Development and Literacy

Literacy is useful at the individual level to inculcate humanist labels and customs. The advantages of the man in the literature are related to factors such as improving of self-esteem, empowerment, creativity and critical thinking that participation in adult literacy programs and practice of literacy can produce. Benefit rights are intrinsic value and can also be instrumental in achieving Other benefits of literacy: improving health, increasing political participation and so on (UNESCO, 2006).

The most apparent aspects of human characters influenced by the literacy awareness, accountability and respect self. Bown (1990) argues that the acquisition of literacy of the masses to become more confident and courageous. The awareness among the products themselves because gave new knowledge to help them behave in a decisive and confident. They become more active in their social activities and private.

Literacy can also give learners to take individual and collective action in different contexts of their daily lives, such as household workplace and community. These actions may affect two major related resources. First, literacy programs may have designed and conducted so as to make enough participants able to become authors of their own learning, developers of their own knowledge and partners in the dialogue on the limited situations in their lives.

Second, literacy programs can help more off the process of socio-economic empowerment if they are conducted in a supportive environment. Many learners of both sexes want to be able to read and write letters, deal with money because they want to be self-esteem and control over daily life situations, citing, for example, to keep secrets and do not be deceived (Lind, 1996).

Development Economic and Literacy

An educated and skilled workforce is one of the pillars of the economy knowledge. Increasingly, the comparative advantages among nations are fewer natural resources or cheap labor and more technical innovations and the use competitive knowledge. Education is one of the most powerful instruments known for reducing poverty and inequality and for laying the foundations for sustained economic growth. Literacy is a word that is usually associated with more positive aspects of civilization human, as social and economic development. Indeed, the illiterate label has been used and is often used to characterize Poverty and lack of education are always victims in many parts of the world. Whether in the field of religious tradition, the invention printing, or the Internet, literacy has been at the heart of many of our deepest human evolution and history.

Literacy has a wide range of advantages and benefits of economic development, social and political country. The positive relationship between economic development and levels of literacy and the impact of investment in education on economic growth are established. The transit of the world towards a knowledge economy is adding to the importance of human resources in general, and education in particular. Human resources are the point of congratulating a role more important in the balance of the global economy and hence the political power. Literacy is linked to economic success that the literacy levels help determine the type of person find jobs, the salaries they make and their ability to improve their professional skills. Literacy and adult education have been recognized as essential elements of human resource development. It is an important factor in the economic success of a company. This is because our level of literacy help determine the kind of jobs we get, the treatments that we do and if we may experience of unemployment in our lives.

Literacy is one of the main objectives of the education system, and the number years of education has long been considered a good predictor of individual earnings. How many of the benefits of education can be explained by the level of an individual literacy is described by Osberg, L. (2001) as follows;

First Examination of men working full time and shows throughout the year that the accounts of literacy for about 30% of the returns to education. Regardless of how literacy scores is stretched to the full-time labor force all year, it is always statistically significant.

Similarly, while discussing the benefits of the acquisition of skills lit Osberg, L. (2001) describes the impact of literacy those on personal income on investment in the process of literacy acquisition is also less;

If look at the men who work full time all year, and to measure education credential, the conclusion that the skills literacy explained a significant portion of the declaration is amended to education. In some cases, the impact of literacy skills seems greater. It seems that including a control for the literacy skills measured reduced by 40% to 45% of the estimated profit education university. Although the impact of literacy, including measured with very low education is less (16% to 26% decrease), the review also states that most of the benefits of education is measured due to literacy.

Similarly, Fiedrich & Jellen (2003) state that a set of data indicates that literacy increases the productivity and earning potential of population. An educated person earns more and has greater labor mobility. While analyzing the impact of the UNESCO Literacy (2005) observes that literacy improves not only individual winner, it also has a positive influence on economic growth of a country;

Around the world, the emphasis is renewed by governments and employers on literacy and digital literacy for all people improve their employability, job satisfaction, salary level and community participation. Recent research from the OECD indicated that raising a country's literacy score by 1 percent leads to an increase in productivity of 2.5 percent with the rate of increase the 1.5 percent of GDP.

Since 1980, the wage gap between adults without high school diploma, those with high school secondary, and those with some postsecondary education has grown steadily wider. This trend helps explain why the gap current income between the top 20 percent of workers and the bottom 20 percent to a historic high. In 1997, high school graduates earned an average of 42 percent more than those with less than a high school diploma, and this gap continues to grow.

investment in education are also crucial for sustained economic growth than low-income countries are seeking to stimulate, and without which poverty reduction long term is impossible. Literacy contributes directly to productivity of workers, and can promote better natural resource management and more rapid technological adaptation and innovation. The same findings are described by Hanushek & Kimko (2000) when they say;

It is fundamental to the creation of a competitive economy based on knowledge, not only for the direct production of the critical mass of scientists and skilled workers that each country require no matter how small or poor, but also because education is associated with large-scale circulation more timely information in the economy, which is crucial to enable workers and citizens in modern and traditional sectors to increase productivity.

Literacy is one of the companies have the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and vulnerability. It helps lift earnings potential and develop the mobility of workers. However, literacy can be regarded as a currency in any society. These are the most powerful instruments known for reducing poverty and inequality and for laying the foundations for sustained economic growth. It is fundamental for building democratic societies and dynamic, competitive economy worldwide. For individuals and for nations, literacy is the key to the creation, application and dissemination of knowledge.

In modern times, literacy is also recognized as an important tool for national development. It is also important to describe the contribution of literacy in various aspects of development others. Literacy is often seen as something that is good for the individual and society. Carr-Hill, RA et al. (2001) education for every individual has the opportunity to make other better (in addition to individual benefits). More specifically, a more educated may result in higher rates of innovation, improved overall productivity through the ability of firms to introduce the introduction of new and better production methods, and faster technologies.

UNESCO (2005) examined the relationship between literacy and development, under;

A community can not foster development without an educated population. Businesses, large or small, are unlikely to choose to invest if recyclable or qualified human resources are not available. Similarly, a community can not retain educated people, without an attractive economic environment.

Literacy and Social Development

Literacy may also have consequences social objectives are important for national policy planning. Particularly in developing countries, gender dimension of illiteracy has been raised in this regard that the majority of adults are illiterate or low literacy tend to be women in the poorest countries developing countries (Stromquist, 1999). In addition, there are many empirical relationships between literacy and fertility, infant mortality, etc.. It is an accepted fact that literacy is a central issue in the life of the community. Beyond thinking about citizenship, we have advanced the idea of an active society in which individuals have a sense of freedom, but also of responsibility. There will be no progress for humanity without a realization that each of us for their freedom and their responsibility, whether in their community, their country or the world. Links between education and society are strong, and each influences the other. Education can help change society improving and strengthening the skills, values, communication, mobility, prosperity and personal freedom. UNESCO (2006) observed the influence of literacy on social life of an individual as follows;

The practice of literacy can play a role in the success of people from a range of capabilities such as maintaining healthy and live longer, the long learning of life, control of reproductive behaviors, educating children in good health and education. Improving literacy has potentially large benefits, such as life expectancy has increased, reducing child mortality and improve the health of children. Evidence has often focused on the benefits of education, as opposed to literacy per se, but evidence on the effects of programs Adult literacy begins to accumulate.

Changes in society have also influenced our parenting and family members. Parents are the first and most important teachers of their children, and their role is becoming increasingly demanding. Education Reform based on standards raises the bar for children, and higher standards may force more children outside the traditional school system before acquired the necessary skills. Children benefit from the support of studies, concerned parents to meet the learning challenges they face. The parents need literacy skills sufficient to help children prepare to enter school and to support learning children continues. In homes where parents have low literacy and literacy model as not significant value, children's learning can suffer. In fact, the problems associated with low literacy levels are often between generations. Parents with low skills literacy are often unable to help prepare young children to school or participate fully in school activities of their children school age

The services of literacy regarding social life are much more evident in the four main aspects namely health, gender equality, education and reproductive behavior. Above all literacy has also implications for community safety. With the traditional elements of literacy, people may need order thinking Higher skills and problem solving, computer and other technology skills, literacy skills necessary for the workplace and literacy skills appropriate to family life.

The acquisition benefits of literacy personal health. Particularly powerful for girls, it profoundly affects reproductive health and also improves infant mortality and well-being through better nutrition and immunization rates higher. A growing number of longitudinal studies assessing the health benefits Points of literacy programs for the same impact as that of education, and even in some cases, a greater impact. For example, infant mortality among mothers under Nicaragua who had participated in a literacy campaign for adults than those who did not and the reduction was greater for literacy in the literacy campaign for those literate in primary school (Sandiford et al., 1995). Similarly, the Bolivian women attended literacy and basic education programs posted gains in knowledge related to health and behavior, unlike women who had not participated in these programs (UNESCO, 2006). In addition, it seems that in future studies may be the most effective weapon of prevention against HIV / AIDS.

But the results of literacy programs that respond directly to instructions related to health has not proved very successful. Some studies suggest that literacy programs which attempt to transmit health information have not been particularly successful as participants preferred reading and writing on receipt of health knowledge (Robinson-Pant, 2005). Thus, in countries with low literacy rate literacy programs must such as stress on the acquisition of reading and writing rather than technical skills or training in a particular area.

Regarding the impact of the literacy gender equality is concerned, it had proved useful in the reduction of any nature of such inequality. Education is a great leveler Whereas illiteracy is one of strongest predictors of poverty. Primary education plays a catalytic role for those most likely to be poor, including girls, ethnic minorities, orphans, disabled and rural families. By enabling more people to share in the growth process, literacy can be powerful tide that lifts all boats. The gender inequality between men and women are tempted to reduce by giving more Stress the literacy of women, limiting how gender equality can be addressed holistically and directly by the programs themselves. The programs therefore tend to focus specifically on women's inequality rather than equality gender. Participation in adult literacy programs will allow women to enter male domains and the challenge of penetrating in areas dominated by men at work, learning the languages of power previously associated with men and participants in the Finance households. Examples of languages elite newly available to women, including English in Uganda and Bangladesh posh Bangla (Fiedrich and Jellema, 2003). Similarly, some Bangladeshi households, literacy has enabled women to get involved in household financial management, previously controlled by men (Maddox, 2005). In India, the evaluation of a literacy program has shown that women students had a strong desire win. Similarly, women can become aware of opportunities for further training or information on AIDS prevention through literacy.

The behavior of production is also influenced by the acquisition of literacy. The negative correlation between education and fertility is well established (Cochrane, 1979). For example, studies based on Demographic and Health Surveys find that, on average, a 10% expansion of gross primary enrollment can reduce the fertility rate of 0.1 children and a 10% increase in the gross secondary school enrollment 0.2 children (Hannum and Buchmann, 2003). In addition, the mechanisms by which education can reduce fertility in particular its effects on self women, infant mortality and child health, spouse choice, marriage age, the employment of women outside the home and the costs education children.

Another important aspect of the benefits of literacy is that it has advantages teaching. Literacy on the one hand, supports the cause of education. But on the other hand it is influenced by the level of education. For example, parents who are trained, whether through schooling or adult programs, are more likely to send their children to school and better able to help children through their schooling. Formerly it was thought that literacy contributes to the development of reasoning abstract (UNESCO, 2006). In general, the effects of literacy are more likely to be determined by formal education, socialization and cultural practices of a given society as literacy.

Cultural Literacy and Development

Literacy is an important relationship with culture. This relationship is two ways. First, literacy influences culture. It is useful in the cultural change and conservation of the current value and cultural norms. In addition, the transformation of culture, a way or another, is also dependent on literacy. Second, literacy is influenced by the cultural environment dominant than planning a literacy program is usually based on the current culture with the needs and future needs. This is why literacy materials, and strategies of literacy confers always correspond with the cultural aspects.

At the same time the cultural benefits of literacy are more difficult to identify clearly the benefits in terms of political participation. programs Adult literacy can facilitate the transmission of certain values and promote the transformation of other values, attitudes and behaviors reflect critical. They also provide access to written culture, including neo-literates can choose to explore independently of the cultural orientation literacy programs in which they participated. Adult literacy programs can help to preserve and promote cultural openness and diversity. However, "any effect that literacy can have on the culture (Ie what people believe and how they things) of an individual or group will be slow, will not be easily and immediately accessible, and it will be difficult to identify as the result of a single intervention as a literacy and adult education "(Farah, 2005).

The impact of literacy in cultural change is also very important. He brings to the action of new concepts, norms and values after allowing the people to explore their attitudes and behaviors that literacy programs can help challenge attitudes and behaviors. Indeed, this type of cultural transformation is at the heart of the approach Foreran, which aims to develop skills of critical reflection (Freire, 1987). Literacy Program also try to influence other Shares cultural aspects as indicated by UNESCO (2006);

Many programs also aim to promote values such as fairness, inclusion and respect for cultural diversity, peace and active democracy. However, such a transformation is generally limited.

Adult literacy programs can help preserve cultural diversity. In particular, literacy programs, which make use the minority languages have the potential to improve people's ability to participate in their own culture. This has been observed in programs The results included the write stories (Chebanne et al., 2001).

However, new approaches to literacy suggest that literacy is always contextualized, situated in a socio-cultural. There is a growing awareness that there is no universal form apply literacy. Instead, there are literacy and literacy practices for different groups (professional groups for example) and for different types of activities (religion, education, business, etc.) and for different social contexts and institutional.

Now, if we consider the above presented framework of literacy, it becomes essential that planning programs literacy should be done very carefully so that it can become in line with the evolving culture.

Literacy Policy Development

Literacy is a tool for creating political awareness among the masses. It helps to understand the nature of government in their country and means for effective communication with them to solve their problems. Literacy has the potential for empowerment that can be translated into increased awareness and political participation. This in turn contributes to the quality of public policy and democracy.

In the relationship between education and political participation is concerned, it is well established (Hannum and Buchmann, 2003). Educated people are to some far more likely to vote and the votes of more tolerant attitudes and democratic values. According Carron et al. (1989) participation in literacy programs adults is also correlated with increased participation in unions, community action and national politics, especially when empowerment is at the heart of the program design. Evident here is that the expansion of education can contribute to the expansion of democracy, and vice versa (UNESCO, 2006). In return, the democratic classroom practices are the most effective ways to promote knowledge and civic engagement among students.

Similarly, literacy has the potential to benefit disadvantaged ethnic groups and minorities of different states. But this advantage of literacy has become questionable because in some countries, the traditional caste system is too strong it can not be members of groups minority or disadvantaged people, even having a meal with them or allow them to participate in ceremonies or social. activities. The same fact is specifically recommended by Hannum and Buchmann (2003) as follows;

A range of experience seems to support the assertion that "It is unwise to assume that the expansion of access to education for minorities will disadvantaged to catch up "with initially advanced ethnic groups, at least in the short term.

Conclusion

Keeping view of the importance of literacy, it can easily conclude that:

1. Literacy makes people more coherent their attitudes and actions, more polite and civilized in their relationships, more precise and perfect in their decisions and reliable in their daily lives. In addition, literacy helps build trust between individuals by providing them with knowledge and skills necessary to fight against their problems and difficulties. Finally Literacy is a key component in the life of the community. Beyond thinking about citizenship, we advanced the idea An active society in which individuals have a sense of freedom, but also of responsibility. There will be no progress for humanity without an awareness that each of us has his freedom and responsibility, whether in their community, their nation or the world.

2. Few countries are unaware of the perception that an educated and skilled population can have a significant impact on the social and economic life of each nation. many complaints were presented a minimum rate of literacy is a prerequisite for economic growth in developing countries. In the context of global competition, adult illiteracy will lead to economic ruin.

3. Literacy and education base has really become as effective tools to help people solve problems they encounter in their daily lives and also help live in harmony with their rapidly changing environment. Today, people must be able to realize that they can use education to obtain professional skills to improve the quality of life in order to achieve happiness is based on personal experiences each, complete happiness can be achieved when there is no physical or emotional conflict between mankind and the environment physically or mentally. It shows that basic education and literacy is now playing the important role that the tools that allow individuals to create their own harmony between him and today a rapidly changing environment, particularly the world today.

4. The impact of literacy in cultural change is also very important. He brings to the action of new concepts, standards and values after allowing the people to analyze their attitudes and behaviors that literacy programs can help challenge attitudes and behavior

5. The most important aspect of education is that without it all learning stops. We would literally thrown into the time before there is reading or writing. Literacy is important because it makes us who we are. It makes us different and distinct. Literacy is the key to all learning and the way forward. In addition, the benefits of literacy to last forever, but another example of how literacy helps us is that without it we are nothing in the world today. Being literate in today's world often means paying jobs, little or no respect for our peers, and the constant question of how long will I be able to work here. Being literate gives us advantages to be illiterate give us, it only gives us obstacles.

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About the Author

Aijaz Ahmed Gujjar, Muhammad Rashid Hafeez
Lecturers, Federal College of Education, H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan