Letters to the editor
Survey reveals a poor literacy rate
Sir,
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) made the literacy assessment survey which was titled as Literacy Assessment Survey. The survey results were made known sometime ago. The facts and figures revealed through this survey hardly make any scope for us to be complacent.
In earlier surveys, only the ability of reading and writing letters was taken into consideration in calculating literacy rate, this time the criteria were not restricted to the conventional concept of the issue. This time, in addition to a persons efficiency in reading and writing, his numeric ability and comprehension capacity were also set as criteria.
The survey shows that 53.7 per cent of the people aged between 11 and 45 have functional literacy in our country. Illiteracy has been categorized broadly into three types, namely cultural, moral and functional. Functional illiteracy refers to the inability of an individual to use reading, writing and computation skills in everyday life. The government claims that more than 90 per cent enrolment in primary education in the last four years or so, and that they have already achieved their target to increase such enrolment to 100 per cent . But the real picture and the claim shows a wide gap. The inefficiency of educational management of the country has further been revealed through this survey though some quarters want to explain it quite positively. Even, they try to highlight the achievement of the government focusing on increasing both quantitative and qualitative issues. We cannot deny the fact that nearly half of the population is still illiterate more than four decades after independence. So do we have scope to be complacent enough with this achievement? The government needs to rise to the occasions if it is really committed to its electoral pledge for eradication of illiteracy by 2017. Of course, eradication of illiteracy is crucial for a nation like us struggling to prosper bridging disparities regardless of form among its people soon. Our policy makers must understand that illiteracy and economic development cannot co-exist and move forward simultaneously. A country which achieved 100% literacy is economically, financially and socially sound and stable than a country which achieved slightly above 50% literacy.
The economic development, progress and peace of a country depends on the literacy rate of that country. According to the recent study conducted by UNESCO, countries with a literacy rate of 96% and above, have per capita annual income of more than USD 12,500 while countries with literacy rate below 55% have per capita annual income of USD 600.
Rahel Ahmed, Sector 3, Uttara, Dhaka
Responsibility of the media
Sir,
I want to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards the media spoiling our youth. The media is generally a source of awareness for everyone. One of its major functions is to inform the ordinary people about happenings in the world. However, the media of late has been leaving a bad impact on our youth.
First, the media affects the culture of the country; the local culture has now become a mixture of Indian and Western cultures because the nature of dramas that are being telecast. These dramas then impact our generation in various negative ways. The media also telecasts programmes that display criminal acts, which have the potential of influencing people into committing crimes.
Finally, with regard to news reporting, balance in presenting stories appears to be missing, sometimes misguiding viewers.
This is dangerous as our new generation already lacks in education; children waste more and more time in front of the television instead of studying. If we use the media carefully for our benefit, then it will not mislead us. Currently though, many of us are misled by the media.
Arifa , Chittagong
