SAN JOSE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

San Jose, Malilipot Albay

Course Instructor: GEMMA B. ARCIGA

Course Code: NSTP 2
Course Title: National Service Training Program-Literacy Training Service (LTS)
Term: 1st Semester SY 2023-2024
FB Account: Gemma Biñas Arciga

NSTP 1 National Service Training Program

Module 2
Lesson 3

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LITERACY IN SOCIETY

I – Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

 identify the laws and policies connected to literacy
 establish an understanding of how civil society views literacy
 synthesize the government and civil society views on literacy

II – Learning Experiences:

A. Explore

Literacy plays a crucial role in society as it defines it as whether it is functional or not. In a

country, if the citizenry does not value literacy and its different types, the opposite of an orderly
and efficient society would be displayed.

Let us find out what is already in place according to the law on the topic of literacy. The
Philippine government is mandated to deliver quality education to tis citizens. The mere presence
of literacy in the Constitution, Republic Acts, Executive Orders and Resolution and Ordinances
strengthens its place in the State.

You may want to browse through the different laws available online or in your library while
having this in your thoughts. If this already written, what have they been doing to address it? There
are three columns. Familiarize yourself with the law, write a short description of each ad its intended
beneficiary.

 BP 232: Education Act of 1982

 RA 7165: Literacy Coordinating Council Act
 RA 10122: Literacy Coordinating Council Act Amendments
 RA 10533: Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013
 RA 10556: Araw ng Pagbasa Act
 RA 11522: National Higher Education Day
  RA 11551: Labor Education Act
 RA 11394: Neutral Desk Act
 RA 11369: National Students’ Day Act
 RA 11358: National Vision Screening Act
 RA 10743: National Teacher’s Day Act
 RA 10679: Youth Entrepreneurship Act
 RA 10922: Financial Literacy Week Act
 RA 10650: Open Distance Learning Act
 RA 10410: Early Years Act
 RA 10157: Kindergarten Education Act
 RA 11713: Teacher Education Act
 RA 11650: Learners with Disability Act

Law Description Beneficiary

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Education is important in every nation. The Philippine Constitution stipulates that the State
shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education taking the appropriate
measures for all to gain access. Free public education is shouldered by the government.
Scholarships, subsidies and loans and other incentives are made available to those in need
particularly those underprivileged. The state will also promote the non-formal, informal and
indigenous learning systems responding to the needs of the community. As well as to provide adult
citizens, the disabled, out-of-school youth with training in civics, vocational efficiency and other
skills. From the different laws you have read and made a short description of, you may counter
check it with the contents of Article XIV.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, in a survey conducted in 2019, the functional
literacy rate is at 91.6% of Filipinos between 10 to 64 years old. Among the age group surveyed,
the highest percentage garnered from 20-24 year olds and lowest for the 60-64 years old. (MAPA,
2020) in another survey conducted by the Philippine Institute of Development Studies in 2021,
around 40% of Filipinos have one out of six information and communication technology skills in
Southeast Asia. (Albert, 2021)

What do these numbers mean? Does having a proportionate number of literate indicate what
kind society?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
 What is the difference between functional literacy and digital literacy?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

How this affect our society as a whole?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Now what kind of society would thus be created in scenario? Will there be a peace and order
in such a place? Who would be running the whole show? Are the people willing to listen? This
usually happens when people who are deemed literate, find solace in the fact that they wanted to
be left alone. But what kind of society would that produce? Clearly not a utopian, idealized and
developed society. For in progressive society, everybody knows their part, everybody contributes
and everybody makes it a point to learn a common language for everyone to understand.

Functional literacy is a higher form of literacy involving necessary skills in order to understand
and live on a daily basis. It deals more in the practical aspect of literacy of how to go about in one’s
work or business. One of the skills involve aside from reading and writing, is also numeracy skills.
If one is knowledgeable about basic numeracy, they can interact and undergo exchanges with other
individuals with confidence.

Digital literacy means to have the understanding of the use of technology in fast paced world.
Adaptiveness is the key in securing digital literacy. Whatever the social class may be, a basic,
understanding of digital literacy goes way. During the pandemic, Philippine society shifted its focus
on the traditional way of transactions in order to secure the safety of the public. Everyone had to
learn how to do them remotely resulting in increased digitalization of what used to be. Government
had to think of ways of still functioning while practicing safety protocols. Banks and other financial
institutions made use of digital currency and it has expanded the knowledge of the citizenry of how
digital transactions are. As one of example of digital literacy, it has become an effective tool in
teaching people of the importance and practical ways using their gadgets, safety and efficiency.

B. Explain

Since the dawn of man, tribes have been set to increase security and safety compared to
before. Individuality can only get one so far. While when one is connected to a group of people,
they tend to communicate with one another. In this type of society, where groups band together,
they thrive and longevity ensues. As they thrive, their way of living improves and they further
develop the various aspects in society. Issues and rights are raised. Women’s right are heard and
brought forth.

Society can be composed of different civil forces, sectors or even classes. Civil forces could
be associated with movements whose associations engaged with the state. Sector could mean
women, workers and peasantry. Classes may be determined by the upper, middle and lower or
rural poor. (Abinales and Amoroso, 2005)
 Imagine a society where people from different backgrounds never understood each other.
Where everyone wanted their own way. Their own culture or plainly their own interest. There was
no commonality between them, even language seemed to be a barrier. Constantino stated to us
the disconnected and miseducation between the two classes of the rich mestizo families and the
rural classes much divided by the skin color and language of the educated which is English, yet this
same language if instruction could also be used as a tool to liberate the minds of the subjugated if
one’s mind is open to it. (Constantino, 1970)

According to C. Wright Mills, a sociologist, an individual cannot be separated from this

surrounding and their lives cannot be viewed in isolation. As these individuals interest with each
other, their actions are influenced by vital social, cultural and economic factors. (Mills, 1959).
Studies also show the more literate the individuals, the more they can rise up and maximize their
potential. Most players, if not all, become active participants in the community. They become
contributing members of society and this translate into progress and development. If they continue
and pass this on to the next generation, steady progress ensues with the rise of the citizen in good
health. However, if these individuals are misguided or misinformed, their path sometimes collides
with the justice system and disciplinary actions must be taken. If literate individuals can determine
what is factual from what is not, if they can think critically and learn to understand and adapt to
their environment then we can promise a safe community and purposeful work in a national and
global setting.

If society is composed of various people, what kind of sector, or social class do you belong
to? How can you relate to this?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

How then can one connect the interrelation of society and literacy in terms of national
development?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Will an educated and literate society provide a promising future to its people? How so?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Are local institutions doing their part in ensuring proper literacy of their constituents with
facts or opinions?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

C. Enact

Based on the laws and the views of civil society in literacy, find your group meters and
discuss among yourselves, which law resonates with you and how much impact did the lack of
literacy have on you? List down the points of discussion, compare and contrast your views and
finally conclude how important literacy is in the development of the nation. Draw a diagram of how
reading, writing and thinking correlative with each other. Insert examples from your daily life. (Ex.
Read the news, critically reading facts, follow reliable, reject fake news?

III – Key Points

 Literacy can be found in various Republic Acts promoting different sectors of society from
the youth to teachers. There are even days dedicated to commemorating literacy.

 Functional literacy is a higher form of literacy involving necessary skills in order to understand
and live on a daily basis while digital literacy means to have an understanding of the use of
technology in fast-paced world.

 Society is composed of different ranks, sectors and classes. Individuals cannot be separated
from society as they are also shaped by their environment.