Basic education and literacy is one of the Rotary Foundation’s seven areas of focus. We know that basic education and literacy are essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace.
Globally, more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population. Rotary’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
From UNICEF October 2019:
Literacy rates among youth (aged 15 to 24) and adults are the test of an educational system, and the overall trend is positive, thanks to the expansion of educational opportunities. Globally, the youth literacy rate increased from 83 per cent to 91 per cent over two decades, while the number of illiterate youth declined from 170 million to 115 million. Regional and gender disparities persist, however. Literacy is lowest in least developed countries and higher among males than females. In the most recent years for which data are available, young women accounted for 59 per cent of the total illiterate youth population. From http://uis.unesco.org/en/country/th
In 2018 Thailand had reported illiteracy numbers for 15-24 years of age: 111,239 (M) and 65,111 (F); for 15 years of age plus: 1,330,429 (M) and 2,258,859 (F).
What is CMIRC doing in the area of education and literacy?
- Providing assistance with the BEAM Foundation's GED Education Program
- Funding GED testing for BEAM graduates this past school year
- Donating school supplies as part of the Winter Clothing Appeal
- Donating school supplies as part of a Covid-19 food program to Shan villages and schools
- Providing room and board for Gai, a student at Warm Heart Foundation