TRIPLE E TRAINING HOLDINGS

Literacy In South Africa Is Still An Issue

It is gradually approaching two decades since South Africa underwent its long overdue transition to majority rule and equality for all. Among the less commendable legacies of the former government is a large segment of the adult population that is functionally illiterate. Today, literacy in South Africa continues to be problem for which urgent solutions remain vital. In 1989, some English-speaking Universities began courses in adult literacy while, four years later, ABET courses began addressing literacy in South Africa.

Job prospects for those unable to read or write are limited. Faced with this disadvantage, many could face a lifetime of unemployment or incomes that leave them below the poverty line. Only organizations dedicated to improving literacy in South Africa can offer these victims a chance to escape the poverty trap. Although numeracy levels in both our adult population and many of today’s school leavers remain inadequate, it is hard to address this shortfall without first taking steps to raise the standards of literacy in South Africa.

ABET training has proved highly effective against this serious problem but the number of people of working age with inadequate levels of literacy in South Africa amounts to millions. Written communication using email or text messages sent and received with a mobile phone represent a modern world that they are unable to share. These simple skills are now becoming the basic requirements for many jobs, emphasising, once more, the urgency of improving literacy in South Africa.

We are living in the information age where almost any query can be answered in seconds – but only for those who can read and write. Improved literacy in South Africa can, in time, open cyberspace to all. Of course there will always be opportunists who see illiteracy as a chance to turn a fat profit at the learner’s expense. State-sponsored initiatives to create improved literacy in South Africa, such as ABET offer the assurance of proven success and credibility through accreditation.

Share in the efforts to improve literacy in South Africa. Contact us for details of nationwide support that works.

Proceeds from the opening concert for the FIFA soccer world cup went to opening literacy centres across South Africa and the continent. The high level of illiterate Africans was highlighted during the build-up to the world cup and it was decided that education was one of the best charities to support. These learning centres will be placed in communities where teaching basic literacy is a priority. These centres are not schools and are aimed at educating people of all ages and backgrounds. You can help enable people to read and write by donating money or offering any services that may assist the process.

Having an educated workforce will optimise the profits that your company makes. Teaching basic math to your employees gives them the skills to function better in the working environment. Maths skills will also help them understand how your business operates and their function within the company. Being able to make simple calculations without assistance also gives them a better means to operate in a personal capacity. Maths helps people to budget, save money and plan for their futures. A person with math skills can also pass on their knowledge to future generations and in turn teach basic math to other uneducated individuals.

If you would like to assist your work force in improving their literacy and basic mathematics skills, enquire about the Adult Basic Education and Training programme. The course does have a cost attached as the facilitator must be compensated for his or her services and the costs of the course material must be covered. There is also an examination fee that must be paid at the end of each level so that the learners can receive their certificates. All these cost may be too high for you to be able to cover the cost for your entire workforce and low income earners may not be able to contribute to the cost. In such a case you can apply to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to assist you in giving your staff the gift of an education.

If South Africa is to be successful on the world stage then it is essential that the country has an educated workforce. Without this it will always remain a mix between a first world country and a third world country. It will remain uncompetitive and eventually be overtaken by other developing nations. The cooperation between government and the private sector in the rolling out of adult basic education and training initiatives is aimed at educating the South African workforce so that it can compete on a level stage with the best in the world and so take its rightful place in the community of nations.

Businesses across South Africa are finding out that ABET programmes do not just correct the injustices of the past apartheif educational system but in fact bring tangible business benefits. Studies have shown that ABET programmes increase productivity through higher staff morale. It has also been demonstrated that when an ABET programme is set up by an organisation then staff turnover is reduced and absenteeism is also reduced. Studies have also shown that staff loyalty is increased as well. It goes without saying that ABET programmes also increase productivity, because an educated workforce can produce far more than an illiterate one.

Adult basic education and training is allowing South African’s who were denied a proper education during the apartheid years a new hope that they can become productive members of communities across the nation. The Bantu education system was aimed at providing South African business with cheap labour and the deficiencies in the educational system were not random, but absolutely essential to keep the majority of South African’s uneducated and subservient. Today these past wrongs are being righted through a cooperative effort between government and business. Today’s ABET programmes are bringing the light of literacy to communities across South Africa.

ABET level 3 is aimed at refining the literacy and numeracy skills of those learners who have a reasonable grasp of the basic application of reading and mathematics. This basic understanding should include the ability to critically apply the skills obtained during the course of training in ABET levels 1 and 2. The program incorporates life skills in order to place the learner in real world situations where literacy and numeracy can be applied to cope more efficiently with both business challenges and the challenges which will be faced on a social level and equip the learner with the tools to become a more self fulfilled individual.

Adult basic Education and training initiatives are at the core of providing South African’s with the skills necessary to cope with modern life. As the country becomes more and more urbanized new skills are required both at home and in the business world. Basic literacy and numeracy skills are indispensable when confronted with the complications of day to day living. Without these skills simple tasks like opening a bank account or purchasing a cell phone can be next to impossible, thus dooming the illiterate to a life of manual labour at best, complete marginalisation at worse, conditions that lead to a high crime rate and social problems.

South Africa is a land of diverse cultures and many languages, however the challenges faced by many of its citizens are the same; how to make a living in economically depressed times. This is made even more challenging by the fact that the majority of South Africa’s workforce was educated under the Apartheid educational system which provided a sub standard or, in many cases non existent level of education. Adult Basic Education programs which are rolling out across the country are an effort to rectify the wrongs of the past and provide basic literacy and numeracy skills to South Africa’s workforce