Editorial

Only two per cent of the Maltese people under 20 are regarded as illiterate. This is misleading since there can be little doubt that the percentage of young people who are functionally illiterate must be higher. Those able to write their name, write out and read numbers, and both read and understand simple phrases but are incapable of going much beyond this point have a very basic kind of literacy. In the sophisticated civilisation in which we live, this is far from satisfactory, and more needs to be done by our educators to see that young persons who reach the end of their schooling according to law have a greater mastery of truly functional reading and writing.

Both the main political parties are aware of this, remind us of the problem from time to time and propose strategies for solving it. The establishment by the ministry of education of a new literacy centre in Floriana is yet another concrete step towards the combating of illiteracy.

The centre is meant as a tool to be used by teachers from every school, and one strongly trusts that it will be so used. Teachers will use it for finding out about various resources they can use to draw their pupils towards the intelligent use of the spoken and written word, and these will include music and art in addition to the more obvious resources.

Since many young people today seem to be drawn more towards the word as used in electronic publications than in traditional print forms, a number of educators tend to feel that computers and the infinite variety of documents they make available should be utilised much more than at present in anti-illiteracy drives.

Even the computer games, of which so many young people are enamoured, can be used most effectively to make them realise the great utility of learning how to express themselves clearly and effectively in writing, and understanding what they read.

Musical and artistic activities are also very attractive. The successes achieved by activities of this nature organised at the Centre for Creativity at St James Cavalier, in Valletta testify to this. So, in future such activities might well be directed more consciously towards the strengthening of literacy as well as towards the fostering of creative abilities. Young people need to become aware of the nexus between mastery of writing and comprehension and success in work and many leisure activities.

Illiteracy among adults is certainly more widespread than among young people. This is even more serious, as it means that a good number of adults are either severely limited in the choice of employment they can get or are unable to reach the efficiency expected of them in their work.

We have had adult literacy classes for years, the trouble being how to induce adults to enrol in them. The training of a new team of 30 teachers specifically for the teaching of illiterate or semi-literate adults is a promising step.

What is also needed is to advertise adult literacy courses as not only most useful but also as pleasant. The use of the TV educational channel for at least some of the courses might draw those adults who dread the thought of entering a classroom at their age.

One needs to be more creative in the fight against illiteracy.