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After five decades of the country's independence, around one-fourth of the country's population is still illiterate. As the current literacy rate stands at 76 per cent, it is a big challenge to attain the 100 per cent literacy in near term especially by 2030 to achieve a critical goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What is more important is to make the literacy effective and functional. The findings of the latest survey in this connection provide a disappointing picture. Literacy Assessment Survey 2023, prepared and released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), showed that overall functional literacy rate is around 63 per cent. The rate is higher, 72 per cent, in urban area than rural area where it stood at around 59 per cent. The functional literacy rate is applicable for population above seven years old.
It is to be noted that functional literacy is a set of skills that allows individuals to read, write, and comprehend information in a way that enables them to function effectively in their regular lives. It encompasses more than basic reading and writing skills and extends to critical thinking, problem-solving, and language-understanding in various contexts. In other words, it is a kind of tool to measure the strength of general literacy and education.
The survey also showed that children or population belonging to age group of 7-14 years has better functional literacy rate, around 73 per cent. It probably indicates that learning process of the children has improved.
Though the overall rate of functional literacy is not bad, there are some areas that require more attention to improve the overall literacy in the near future. For instance, some 52 per cent is functionally literate at the advanced level which means people in this category are quite fluent in reading and writing, and also competent in four arithmetic rules (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and mathematical reasoning. At the same time, 12 per cent are functionally illiterate meaning they lack ability to determine alphabet, recognise words or numbers and count money or objects. Again, 14 per cent are functionally semi-literate as they can recognise and write some words and count objects and numbers at a very basic level.
Though these are a few of the total findings, some critical things can be inferred from the result. The functional literacy status indicates that the country's overall education system is flawed and disruptive. In the last 50 years, almost all the governments have tried to do some experiments with the education and learning system. Most of the experiments have failed at the cost of students. Instead of properly streamlining the education system, attempts to experiment with curriculum and tests created confusion and chaos. Again, a lack of coordinated approach also undermines the positive efforts to improve the quality of education. Too much focus on tests and grade also drive students to rely on memorisation than comprehension.
Though the government has taken various initiatives to make the teaching and learning better, some limitations and drawbacks are still there. That's why, even after completing the secondary level, many people can't write smoothly in Bangla and English. Many also don't comprehend the semi-complex speeches or texts let alone on a higher level. Weakness in basic mathematics is another drawback.
The current status of functional literacy also showed the growing disparity in education and learning. Urban students have better logistics and supports in their educational institutions than rural ones. People in urban area has also better options for skill development and training. All these contributed to higher rate of functional literacy in urban areas.
Overall, the BBS survey finding is an eye-opener for all and the policymakers need to pay attention to the drawbacks for improvement in the functional literacy.