The Causes of Illiteracy

by Sanae

There are many people who don’t have literacy in the world. For example, Benin has the highest illiteracy. Illiteracy is at 39.8%; next to Benin is Senegal at 41.0%. By way of comparison, Canada’s illiteracy is 8.0%, and Japan's is 0.3%. I think this problem isn’t only in these countries where people don’t have literacy, but also all over the world. Therefore, we have to help these countries. If we go there and teach, that is very difficult for us, but we can raise money or think about this problem, and then we look for cure for this problem. Some countries’ people don’t have opportunities to study. In fact, there are a lot of causes of illiteracy.

One of the reasons is that they suffer from poverty. First, they don’t have a job. Even if they have a job, they can’t earn enough money. Therefore, some families think that children are labor force, especially boys. Employers also think that because kids’ wage is cheaper than adults', they can hire them. Girls marry young because in some countries, if a daughter marries, the girl’s family can get money from the husband or husband’s family. Therefore, their parents think that girls don’t need to go to school. Girls have to do house works instead. Some girls also have a baby when they are young, so they don’t have time to they go to school. In addition, they can’t buy school supplies. They can’t even eat enough food.

The next reason is war. First, a war makes poverty. Next, children can’t go to school safely. Third, some people think that the most important thing is to win the war, so they also think children are military strength. In my opinion, if they fight in the war, they will lose their dream because they can’t see their good future. Therefore, they think they don’t need to study.

The biggest reason is government systems. First, the government doesn’t make much of education. If there are some schools, these are only in cities, so children who live in the countryside have to walk a lot. That is very difficult and dangerous for children, especially grade 1 to 4.

The most important thing is that the education system must change. First, a government has to make a law that obliges citizens to study until middle school. Second, the government especially has to solve the problem for children who live in the countryside. For example, make transportation or send a teacher who can get money more than a city teacher.

Finally, everyone who lives in poverty has to change their thinking, especially parents. I hope that every child can study and have a dream because children have great possibilities and a great future. We have to support them and give them a great future.