Significance of Basic Literacy Skills

Dr. Radhika Kapur

Abstract

Basic literacy skills are referred to the skills of reading, writing and numeracy. In all
communities, the individuals belong to various categories and backgrounds and are engaged
in different occupations. Whether the individuals are engaged in employment or are required
to manage the household responsibilities. It is essential for them to possess the basic literacy
skills. In urban and in rural communities, there have been establishment of training centres,
which impart basic literacy skills to individuals, who have dropped out prematurely or have
not been enrolled in schools before. Acquisition of basic literacy skills are regarded to be of
utmost significance to enrich the overall quality of lives. The elderly individuals need to get
engaged in great amount of practice to up-grade mainly their writing and numeracy skills.
The main aspects that have been taken into account in research paper include, growth of
literacy with persisting disparities, understanding meaning and significance of literacy, and
workplace literacy and basic skills.

Keywords: Basic Literacy Skills, Disparities, Human Resources, Livelihoods

Opportunities, Workplace Literacy

Basic literacy skills are referred to the skills of reading, writing and arithmetic, three
Rs. It is vital for the individuals to possess these skills, to carry out various tasks and
activities and sustain their living conditions in an appropriate manner. Basic literacy skills are
regarded as an indispensable component of human resource development. It is fundamental to
not only growth and development of human resources, but also to lead to social and economic
progress of the nation. They render an important contribution towards bringing about
improvements in the quality of lives of the individuals. Acquisition of basic literacy skills
help the individuals to carry out the functions of child development, health care and well-
being, management of household responsibilities, purchase and sales of items, carrying out
banking transactions, and making decisions. Higher level of literacy and educational
development led to greater awareness on one hand and provide assistance to the individuals
to acquire new skills on the other (Chapter I, Introduction, n.d.).
 Acquisition of basic literacy skills is the first step in the learning and knowledge
building of individuals. Therefore, literacy is regarded as an indicator for any measurement of
human development. The Human Development Index (HDI) combines three dimensions of
development, i.e. living a long and healthy life, being educated and having a decent standard
of living. Adults may recognize the need to bring about improvements in the basic literacy
skills, particularly, when they begin a new job, help their children with homework or need to
augment their understanding in terms of certain areas. Changes do take place within the lives
of the individuals. When they need to cope with changes, they need to develop the basic
literacy skills. Societal changes do demand new skills in literacy and numeracy. It may
include, economic and forced migration, industrialization and the passing of subsistence
economies, traditional forms of labour, social and economic development and developing of
democracy (Chapter I, Introduction, n.d.).

Growth of Literacy with Persisting Disparities

During the 1990s, there have been considerable progress within the country in
improving the literacy situation. During 1991, the literacy rate was 52.1 percent and it
increased to 65.4 percent in 2001. This is particularly in terms of the population of seven
years of age and above. It is necessary to bring about improvements in the literacy rate.
Research has indicated that even the adults, belonging to deprived, marginalized and socio-
economically backward sections of the society have recognized the significance of education
and are getting enrolled in training centres to hone their literacy skills. Improvement in the
literacy rate is evident in both rural and urban communities for individuals, belonging to all
categories and backgrounds. The rate of growth of literacy rate has been higher in rural areas
of 14.8 percent as compared to 7.2 percent in urban areas. The census 2001 shows that the
all-India literacy rate has increased by 13.2 percent and it is evident for all states and Union
Territories (Patel, 2009).

The most striking change that is visible in census 2001 relates to the female literacy
rate. The male population that accounts for 75.9 percent and more than half of the female
population that accounts for 54.2 percent in the country were literate in 2001. In fact the
growth rate of literacy has been higher for the female population at 14.9 percent as compared
to males at 11.7 percent during the past decade. For the first time, after the country gained its
independence in 1947, there has been a gradual decline in the gender gap between male and
female literacy. In 1991, it was 24.8 percent and in 2001, it declined to 21.7 percent.
Furthermore, there has been an improvement in the literacy rate of individuals, belonging to
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe communities. Among the religious communities, Jains
had the highest literacy rate of 94.1 percent, followed by Christians (80.3 percent), and
Buddhists (72.7 percent). The literacy rate was marginally higher among the Hindus and
Sikhs, than the national average (Patel, 2009).

Therefore, this information helps the individuals to understand that there has been a
perceptible improvement in the literacy rate, during the 1990s. In both rural and urban
communities, there has been emphasis upon the population that comprises of individuals,
aged seven and above. In addition, gender, age, occupations, regions, religious groups,
ethnicities and other factors are important in acquisition of literacy skills. Progress of literacy
during the past decade has been uneven across regions, states, Union Territories, gender and
communities. There are differences in the literacy rates across the country in terms of states
and Union Territories (Patel, 2009). But an important aspect that is taken into account is,
there is emphasis on female literacy as well. There have been changes in the viewpoints and
perspectives of individuals regarding education of girls. They are encouraging their girls and
women towards acquisition of education and empowerment opportunities. Improvements in
female literacy is rendering an effective contribution towards leading to progression of
individuals, communities and nation.

Understanding Meaning and Significance of Literacy

Literacy can make provision of best strategies to the individuals that are not only
necessary to sustain one’s living conditions in an appropriate manner, but individuals are able
to benefit in other ways as well. These include, making of decisions, developing rational
thinking skills, differentiating between appropriate and inappropriate, inculcating the traits of
diligence, resourcefulness and conscientiousness and understanding the significance of
morality and ethics. When the individuals will be able to read and write well, they would be
able to move into the outside world, socialise with others and accomplish the desired goals
(Fox, n.d.). When understanding meaning and significance of literacy, there are four main
aspects, which need to be taken into consideration. These are stated as follows: (Chapter 6,
2006).

Literacy as Skills
 The most common understanding of literacy is, it is a tangible set of skills,
particularly the cognitive skills of reading and writing. They are independent of the
framework in which they are acquired and the background of the person, who acquires them.
When understanding the aspect of literacy as skills, emphasis is put upon reading, writing and
oral skills. Maintaining and developing oral skills can be a means for the preservation of
language. Since many languages do not have or are less compatible with equivalent textual
scripts and thus run the risk of extinction as younger generations adapt to written languages
put into operation in schools. Numeracy skills are the ones, which put emphasis upon
augmenting the mathematical skills of the individuals. It is essential for the individuals to
ensure, they learn these skills and make use of them to the best of their abilities.

It is crucial to render an effective contribution towards up-gradation of one’s skills

and abilities. Teaching adults, the skills of reading, writing and numeracy means enabling
them to manage in an appropriate manner, various kinds of problems and challenges, they
may experience. Numeracy can be viewed as a semi-autonomous area at the intersection
between literacy and mathematics and address not only purely cognitive issues, but also
student’s dispositions and cognitive styles.

Literacy as Applied, Practiced and Situated

When acknowledging the contributions of skills-based approach to literacy, some of

the researchers have made an attempt to focus on the application of skills in a systematic
manner. In the 1960s and 1970s, this concept recently emphasised upon literacy for
promoting socio-economic development. Views of functional literacy often assumed literacy
can be taught as the universal set of skills that can be applicable everywhere. When one
acquires literacy, it has to get applied in various settings. When the individuals are putting in
hard work and resources towards the acquisition of literacy, they need to ensure, they make
use of them in an appropriate manner. Furthermore, the individuals need to generate
awareness in terms of practicing of literacy skills. The individuals usually practice the basic
literacy skills even in the implementation of tasks and activities, related to one’s daily life.
When they have to make purchases of items, read newspapers, magazines, letters etc. pay
bills, take care of one’s health and well-being, manage household responsibilities and so
forth.

When the individuals are practicing their literacy skills, they need to ensure, they are
in accordance to the situations. For instance, when they are engaged in the function of child
development and need to train their children in terms of basic literacy skills. They need to
ensure, they make provision of adequate training, so their children are able to learn better.
The major emphasis is put upon helping the individuals to examine the potential of literacy,
so they are able to move out of their local positions and render an effective participation in
social, political, economic, religious, and cultural activities. Hence, in order to enrich their
lives and obtain employment opportunities, it is essential for the individuals to put into
practice the basic literacy skills.

Literacy as a Learning Process

Literacy is regarded as the learning process. When the individuals get engaged in
learning, they are able to hone their basic literacy skills. Literacy is an active and broad-based
learning process. It is not regarded as a product of limited and focused educational
intervention. Constructivist educators focus upon the ways, in which individual learners,
particularly the ones, belonging to the age group of six to 18 years, make sense of their
learning experience. In the field of adult education, some of the scholars view personal
experience as a central resource for learning. Adults learn through experience. Experience is
also regarded as one of the five principles of andragogy or adult learning theory. In which
focus is put upon a learner-centred educational process, with critical reflection as the central
aspect. An experiential learning cycle was established, with concrete experience as the
starting point for learning, based on critical reflection.

Paulo Freire is the most prominent adult literacy educator, whose work integrated
notions of active learning within socio-cultural settings. Freire puts emphasis upon the
significance of bringing the learner’s socio-cultural realities into the learning process itself
and then making use of the learning process to challenge these social processes. Central to his
pedagogy is the notion of critical literacy, a goal to be attained in part through engaging in
books and other reading materials. The major approaches that individuals are involved in
include, interpreting, analysing, interrogating, reflecting on, theorizing, investigating,
probing, exploring and questioning. When the individuals possess adequate skills and
abilities to put into practice these approaches, they are able to learn satisfactorily and achieve
their goals and objectives.

Literacy as Text

When literacy is viewed as text, the focus is put upon the subject matter. The
researchers, writers, and educationists are the individuals, who are engaged in the activities of
research and writing. When the individuals are working towards acquisition of basic literacy
skills, they need to make use of texts, and other reading materials. During the initial stage,
when the individuals are unable to read and write and even experience challenges in reading
texts, they certainly need help and assistance from teachers or other individuals. There are
organization of classes, which provide instruction and training to the individuals in terms of
basic literacy skills. Hence, it can be stated, when the individuals need to upgrade their
knowledge and competencies in terms of literacy through using texts, then literacy can be
regarded as text.

This approach pays particular attention to the analysis of discrete passages of text.
These are referred to as discourses by socio-linguists. Influenced by the comprehensive social
theories, it locates literacy within the comprehensive communicative and socio-political
practices that construct, legitimate and reproduce the existing power structures. Language is
one of the modes that facilitates communication. Hence, it is necessary for the individuals to
develop fluency in language, so they can form good and well-recognized terms and
relationships with others. This is apparent that to acquire basic literacy skills, the first and
foremost aspect is to develop fluency of language and communicate with others in an
appropriate manner.

Workplace Literacy and Basic Skills

Workplace literacy and basic skills are the skills that are required by the employees at
work. Within the working environment, it is vital for them to ensure they enhance their
literacy levels and basic skills, so they are able to carry out their job duties in a well-
organized manner and meet the desired expectations. The basic literacy skills of reading,
writing, and arithmetic are apparent. But they need to be combined with other important skills
as well. These include, listening and oral communication, teamwork, leadership, self-
direction, self-motivation, and computer skills. Workplace literacy and basic skills levels are
dependent upon the needs and requirements of both workforce and workplaces. Workplaces
are different on the basis of number of aspects. These include, goals and objectives, job duties
of employees, availability of resources, personnel, infrastructure, materials and equipment
and working environmental conditions. Hence, workplace literacy and basic skills are needed
by the individuals on the basis of these factors. When there are changes in the job
requirements, then individuals are required to make improvements in these skills (Folinsbee,
1990). Workplace literacy and basic skills are used in the implementation of job duties and
achievement of the desired goals and objectives within the working environment. These are
put into operation in the case of various functions, and these have been stated as follows:

Managerial Functions – Managerial functions of planning, organizing, directing,

staffing, co-ordinating and controlling are an integral part of the organization. The
individuals, irrespective of their job positions, job duties and backgrounds need to enhance
their skills and abilities in terms of implementation of managerial functions. The individuals,
who are required to perform leadership functions and exercise control and authority on their
subordinates, such as, directors, managers, supervisors etc. need to enhance their skills and
abilities in terms of managerial functions. To carry out these functions, it is vital for the
individuals to possess the basic literacy skills and also oral communication skills.

Decision Making Processes – Decision making is also regarded as an integral part of

the workplace. When making decisions, it is essential for the individuals to ensure they prove
to be beneficial to the individuals and workplaces on the whole. The decision making
authority particularly is vested in the hands of the superiors. In some cases, they may take
ideas and suggestions from others. When one has to communicate with others in terms of
concerns and take ideas and suggestions from others, it is essential for them to enhance the
basic literacy skills. The individuals also implement problem solving, in some cases, when
making decisions. Ideas and suggestions can be given through oral communication or through
writing. Hence, decision making processes require the implementation of workplace and
basic literacy skills.

Leadership – Leadership function has the main objective of adequately guiding and
leading the individuals in the right direction, ensuring they perform their job duties in a well-
organized manner, providing solutions to problems and challenges experienced by
individuals and ensuring they are able to satisfactorily accomplish the desired goals and
objectives. In the implementation of leadership function in an effective manner, it is vital to
possess sufficient knowledge and information, particularly in the implementation of job
duties and achieving organizational goals and objectives. In addition, the basic literacy skills
of reading, writing and numeracy are integral in the performance of leadership functions in an
efficient manner.

Technological Skills – It is essential for the individuals to possess technical

knowledge, particularly in the implementation of job duties. In the present existence, the
usage of technology has acquired prominence. The individuals, belonging to various
categories and backgrounds are making use of technologies. Within workplaces, whether they
are educational institutions, service organizations, or production organizations, individuals
are making use of technologies to a major extent. Hence, technological skills are regarded as
indispensable workplace literacy skills. In various organizations, there are training programs,
which focus upon providing technological skills to the individuals. Within the workplace,
individuals need to hone their technological skills in terms of computers, photo copiers,
scanners, projectors, I pads and mobile phones.

Workshops and Seminars – Workshops and seminars are important aspects of

workplaces. When they are to be organized, the individuals need to take into consideration,
number of factors. These include, planning of the programs, presentations, speeches, working
lunch, and refreshments, giving of rewards, and so forth. In workshops and seminars,
individuals are also invited from other organizations and educational institutions. When the
members of the organization are planning workshops and seminars, they need to
communicate and work in collaboration and integration with others. Hence, when the
members of the organization are working in integration and co-ordination with each other,
they need to put into operation, basic literacy and technological skills. In the preparation of
brochures, presentations and speeches, it is apparent that individuals need to possess adequate
knowledge and information in terms of basic literacy skills.

Training and Development – Within workplaces, when the employees are recruited,
they are required to attend the training and development programs. Even when they are
experienced, and possess knowledge in terms of job duties, still, they are required to undergo
training and development programs. Through these programs, the individuals acquire
understanding and generate awareness in terms of number of factors. These include,
organizational goals, departments, personnel, job duties, infrastructure, and overall working
environmental conditions. The trainers need to be well-equipped and well-aware in terms of
these aspects. Within the course of performance of their job duties also, individuals go
through training and development programs. The main objective of these training and
development programs is to generate information in terms of modern and innovative
methods. Hence, to put into operation, these programs in an effectual manner, it is vital to
possess the basic literacy skills.

Changing Job Requirements – Changing job requirements are referred to the changes
that take place within the course of performance of job duties. Research has indicated that job
duties of the individuals within the working environment do not remain the same. They
undergo changes within the course of time. The changes may take place regarding job
requirements as well as implementation of job duties. Before, the advent of technologies,
individuals make use of paper and pens for writing. But with advancements taking place,
technologies are used to a major extent in preparation of documents, reports, projects, letters,
notices, presentations etc. for communication purposes and in the implementation of other
tasks and functions. Hence, with the changing job requirements, individuals are making use
of modern, scientific and innovative methods in carrying out their job duties.

Job Duties of Employees – There are numerous kinds of job duties that the individuals
perform in order to sustain their living conditions. There are employees, who primarily work
on computers, some employees are required to work as trainers, some conduct the tasks of
research and analysis, some are engaged in the production and manufacturing processes, sales
and marketing etc. To carry out job duties in a well-organized manner and incur job
satisfaction, it is essential for the individuals to possess the basic literacy skills. Even when
the individuals are performing the job duties of cleaning and are engaged in other minority
jobs, then too, they need to possess the basic literacy skills. The acquisition of basic literacy
skills would enable them to generate awareness in terms of pay and how to make
investments. In other words, they are able to carry out banking transactions and generate
information in terms of management of financial resources.

Discussion Meetings – Discussion meetings are an integral part of the organizations.

In order to accomplish the organizational goals and objectives, the members are required to
work in co-ordination and integration. In discussion meetings, individuals normally discuss
number of aspects. These include, issues and concerns, goals and objectives, procedures,
approaches, methods and strategies that need to be put into operation. When modern and
innovative methods need to be initiated, when changes are brought about in the learning
environmental conditions, discussion meetings are organized. In discussion meetings, all
individuals are allowed to express their viewpoints and perspectives. In some cases,
individuals even make use of written materials. Hence, in order to carry out discussion
meetings in a well-organized manner, it is essential for the individuals to possess basic
literacy skills.

Recruitment and Selection of Employees – When recruitment and selection of

employees takes place within organizations, number of factors are taken into consideration.
These include, educational qualifications, skills, experience, personality traits and
demographic factors. In order to conduct an analysis of these factors, there are certain
approaches that are put into operation. The major ones include, interviews and written tests.
In some cases, the candidates are even required to go through several rounds of interviews
and take tests. Hence, to implement these approaches satisfactorily, it is vital for the hiring
authorities to possess the basic literacy skills and verbal communication skills. When
interviews are conducted, it is essential for the individuals to communicate effectively.
Whereas, in taking tests, basic literacy skills of reading, writing and numeracy are
indispensable. Hence, it can be stated that in recruitment and selection of employees, basic
literacy skills are of utmost significance.

Redressing Employee Grievances – Within the working environment, employees may

develop the feelings of job dissatisfaction and grievances in terms of various concerns. When
they experience problems and challenges, they communicate in terms of it to their superiors,
either in a verbal form or written form. In the present existence, technology is made use of to
a major extent. On the other hand, it is the job of the leaders and superiors to listen to
employee grievances and provide solutions. Hence, to redress employee grievances and
provide solutions to them would play an important part in facilitating the performance of job
duties and helping them develop the feeling of job satisfaction. Problems and grievances are
regarded as the major barriers within the course of implementation of job duties. Hence, to
redress employee grievances, it is vital for the individuals to possess the basic literacy skills.

Teamwork – Teamwork is common, particularly in the performance of job duties of

research and project work. In educational institutions and organizations, teamwork is
encouraged on a large scale. When the individuals are required to work on research projects,
they may work on an individual basis, but in most cases, teamwork is promoted. The major
advantage of teamwork is, job duties get divided among individuals in accordance to their
skills and abilities. Therefore, they are able to alleviate pressure and even focus upon other
tasks. Furthermore, the individuals are able to generate information in terms of viewpoints
and perspectives of others. Hence, to carry out teamwork in an appropriate manner, it is
essential for the individuals to augment basic literacy skills.

Conclusion

In India, there are differences among individuals, not only in terms of factors such as,
caste, creed, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, occupation, and socio-economic
background, but also in terms of acquisition of educational qualifications. Some individuals
are well-educated and even attain masters and doctoral degrees, whereas, some are graduates,
some complete high school or senior secondary or secondary schooling, some just possess the
basic literacy skills of reading, writing and numeracy, whereas, some are non-literates. In
some cases, certain problems and challenges prove to be impediments within the course of
acquisition of education and even in the up-gradation of literacy skills. But in the present
existence, there have been initiation of programs, which put emphasis upon the fact that it is
necessary for the individuals to hone the basic literacy skills. When the individuals will be
able to read, write and solve numerical problems, they would be able to enrich their lives.

When understanding meaning and significance of literacy, the main aspects, which
are taken into account are, literacy as skills, literacy as applied, practiced and situated,
literacy as a learning process and literacy as text. Within the working environment as well, it
is indispensable for the individuals to implement the basic literacy skills. Workplace literacy
and basic skills are utilized in the implementation of job duties and achievement of
organizational goals. These are put into operation in the case of various functions, and these
are, managerial functions, decision making processes, leadership, technological skills,
workshops and seminars, training and development, changing job requirements, job duties of
employees, discussion meetings, recruitment and selection of employees, redressing
employee grievances and teamwork. In rural and urban areas, there have been formulation of
programs and schemes, which are putting emphasis upon honing basic literacy skills of even
elderly population. Through the acquisition of basic literacy skills, individuals can bring
about improvements in their livelihoods opportunities.
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