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The
Impact of Investment
The direct impacts
of adult education and literacy
can be easily observed. These are:
- Improvement of participants' communication skills, both oral and
written
- Improvement of participants' mathematical skills
The indirect impacts of such programs are not as easily
observable but are equally as important. An educated adult is:
- Better informed on health-related issues, thus contributing to
disease prevention and better family health
- Empowered, especially women and girls
- More productive, thus leading to higher income levels and improved
quality of life
- Aware of the power of education, thus leading to increased
participation in children's education
- More active in the community and society
A Tool in the Fight Against Poverty
Education plays a
fundamental role in the fight against poverty. The connection between adult education and
poverty was discussed at the Fifth International Conference on Adult
Education (CONFINTEA V) in 1997.
The conference emphasized that adult education is a powerful means to reduce poverty because it offers
reading, writing, and numeracy, as well as other fundamental skills that allow
learning to continue throughout one's life. Education allows
adults to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for participation in
society and the knowledge economy.
Reaching Marginalized Populations
Literacy and Non Formal Education programs
for adults and youth are
generally geared toward the poorest of society. In many cases, this population
includes:
- Individuals who have not received a primary level education
- Individuals who have some education but
who have been unable to
continue their studies
- Individuals who do not have the knowledge and skills to cope with
the changing economy
- Marginalized groups, especially women and girls
References
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