The positive impacts of ABET are far reaching. They are not only confined to the workplace through productivity and efficiency gains that impact positively on the bottom line. A well-coordinated adult literacy training and adult numeracy training programme also contributes to the growth and development of the economy. This is in addition to the wellbeing of society.
Government is unable to solve the high illiteracy rate in the country on its own. It needs the help of the private sector to do so. Companies have, therefore, been incentivised to continue investing in raising the literacy and numeracy skills of their low skilled employees. In doing so, they benefit from skills development grants and tax rebates. Investing in ABET also makes a substantial contribution to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Scorecard. This is over-and-above the improved performance of employees because they have workplace literacy skills after completing ABET programmes. Alone, this is enough of a motivator for many companies to invest in workplace adult literacy training and adult numeracy training programmes.
Certainly, ABET geared specifically at poor communities is also making a significant impact on illiteracy in the country. These adult literacy training and adult numeracy training programmes are part of companies’ corporate-social investment programmes. Mines provide skills and development training opportunities to communities as part of their social-labour plans (SLPs).
https://www.wits.ac.za/media/wits-university/faculties-and-schools/commerce-law-and-management/research-entities/cals/documents/programmes/environment/resources/SLP%20Community%20Toolkit%202%20March%202017.pdf provides more reading on mines’ commitments to communities located within their operational footprints and from where they source their labour. Skills development and training are just one component of an SLP. There are a host of other requirements that companies have to meet to honour their SLPs. This is a way of ensuring that all South Africans benefit from its mineral wealth and not only mining companies.
Invest in ABET
However, responsible companies invest in ABET because they know that it is the correct thing to do. This is especially in a country where illiteracy is rife. Refer to https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS?locations=ZA for information on our literacy rate.
UNESCO [www.unesco.org] defines the literacy rate by the percentage of the population of a given age group that can read and write. The adult literacy rate corresponds to ages 15 and above and the youth literacy rate to ages 15 to 24. It is typically measured according to the ability to comprehend a short simple statement on everyday life. Literacy also encompasses numeracy. Measurement of numeracy incorporates a simple assessment of arithmetic ability.
However, UNESCO notes that it is important to distinguish the literacy rate and number of literates from functional literacy. Functional literacy requires a more comprehensive measure of literacy that is assessed on a continuum in which multiple proficiency levels can be determined. Functional literacy is the capacity to engage in all activities in which literacy is required for effective function in groups and communities.
UNESCO adds that it is an ability to continue using reading, writing and calculation for personal and community development. Individuals who have completed adult literacy training and adult numeracy training possess these abilities. They can, therefore, function at optimal levels in all facets of life that require literacy and numeracy skills.
ABET Level 3 qualification
Someone who has an ABET Level 3 qualification is already considered to be literate. This level of adult literacy training and adult numeracy training is equivalent to Grade 7 at school. There is one more level after ABET Level 3. ABET Level 4 is at a National Qualifications Framework Level 1 and, therefore, equivalent to a Grade 9. https://www.dhet.gov.za/Planning%20Monitoring%20and%20Evaluation%20Coordination/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Adult%20illiteracy%20in%20South%20Africa_March%202022.pdf provides reading on this topic.
Worryingly, as many as 4,4-million South African adults were illiterate in 2019. This was before the onset of COVID-19 which had a significant negative impact on education throughout the world. In 2021, almost 3% of 15-year-olds and nearly 9% of 17-year-olds dropped out of school in the country. This followed a significant rise in the number of out-of-school children when schools were closed for extended periods in 2020. Bear in mind that many of the townships and rural areas have limited internet connectivity or not at all.
Therefore, many students could not partake in remote learning, or the hybrid education models that were implemented in subsequent lockdown phases. These measures were necessary to contain the spread of the virus between citizens by restricting movement and contact. https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=15520#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20close%20to%203,olds%20dropped%20out%20of%20school provides interesting reading on the topic. Adult literacy training and adult numeracy training will remain very important for years to come. This is considering the role that it has to play in equipping these citizens with essential basic foundational skills. These are skills that they were supposed to acquire in their formative years.
ABET is a second chance
ABET is a second chance for your employees to become literate and acquire the skills that they need to perform at their absolute best. Adult literacy training and adult numeracy training impart the skills that your employees need to be productive, efficient and accurate workers. Equipped with literacy and numeracy skills, your employees are also able to complete their daily tasks in a health and safe manner. Importantly, they are also primed to continue acquiring new skills. This is so that they can add even more value as members of your team and improve their earning potential. They can assume additional responsibility in the workplace because they have the skills to do so. Previously, their skills levels only enabled them to perform menial jobs that offered very little or no scope for development.
ABET helps grow the economy
In this way, ABET, including adult literacy training and adult numeracy training, helps to grow the economy.
Higher earning citizens spend and consume more and pay higher taxes to government. In this way, they play their part in increasing the country’s gross-domestic product (GDP). South Africa’s GDP would be 23% to 30% higher with a more typical level of school performance. This is according to both microeconomic and macroeconomic estimates. For more reading on this topic, refer to this study undertaken by the University of Stellenbosch [https://resep.sun.ac.za/the-costs-of-illiteracy-in-south-africa/sample-post/].
Other studies have also shown the strong correlation between literacy and economic growth. This includes https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/catalogue/89-552-M2004011. It highlights the importance of human capital, such as education and training. Human capital is three times as important to economic growth as investment in physical capital, such as machinery and equipment. Moreover, direct measures of human capital based on literacy scores perform better than indicators of years of schooling. This is when explaining growth in output per capita and per worker. Notably, the study also states that human capital accumulation is significantly important for the long-term wellbeing of countries. Moreover, it notes that countries that promote strong literacy skills widely among their populations are more successful in fostering growth and wellbeing. This is compared to those countries that do not promote robust literacy skills widely among their populations.
ABET is especially important
ABET is especially important in South Africa where we are paying a high price for illiteracy. In 2010, it was estimated that illiteracy costs South Africa R450-billion each year. This motivates the need for further adult literacy training and adult numeracy training programmes. This is considering their efficacy in also fighting illiteracy in other countries of the world.
Certainly, it is not only South Africa that is grappling with illiteracy. Illiteracy is a worldwide problem, costing the global economy about USD1,19-trilllion a year. This is due to poverty, unemployment, long-term illness, dependence on welfare or charity, social exclusion and crime. Add to this lost earnings and business productivity; missed wealth creation opportunities; and inadequate high-tech skills capacity. These, alone, amount to about 2% of GDP for developed countries; 1,2% for emerging economies; and 0,5% for developing countries, such as South Africa.
ABET fights poverty
ABET fights poverty by equipping people with the basic skills that they need to participate meaningfully in the economy and earn a decent income.
There is a strong connection between income and illiteracy. This is one of the reasons many companies target their adult literacy training and adult numeracy training programmes at poor areas. In these areas, illiteracy, unemployment and poverty coincide.
The average income of countries with literacy rates of less than 55% is USD600. This is compared to USD2 400 in countries where the literacy rate is between 55% and 84%. In countries where the literacy rate is between 85% and 95%, income average is USD3 700. Average income is as high as USD12 600 in countries where the literacy rate exceeds 69%.
The significant divide in earnings between skilled and unskilled workers in South Africa is fuelling growing inequality. South Africans who have scarce critical skills earn significantly more than the vast majority of citizens who are unskilled or semi-skilled. Worryingly, our country is one of the most unequal in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund [https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/01/29/na012820six-charts-on-south-africas-persistent-and-multi-faceted-inequality]. Adult literacy training and adult numeracy training are a means of solving this problem. This is by equipping citizens of the country with the absolute basic skills that they need to participate in a modern economy. These basic skills can be further developed and honed over time.
ABET develops literacy skills
ABET develops the literacy skills that countries need to industrialise.
Citizens with higher levels of education who obtain better jobs increase opportunities for business. This later leads to industrialisation and job creation. South Africa continues to undergo a process of deindustrialisation, which is fuelling high unemployment. This especially among young adults, many of whom are functionally illiterate. Bear in mind that the proportion of unemployment in South Africa is structural, which is changes in the composition of labour supply and demand. Our service-based industries are reliant on sophisticated knowledge which is short supply compared to unskilled and semi-skilled labour. https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/27288/01dissertation.pdf?sequence provides more reading on this topic.
Countries with high literacy rates benefit significantly from a more capacitated population. A larger amount of human capital, including adult literacy training and adult numeracy training, provides higher earning labour. This again increases the tax base and, in doing so, providing more resources for government to invest in the country. There is also greater discretionary income available that can be allocated to charitable donations and further contribute to the development of society. This is over-and-above the greater influence that citizens who earn more because of their education level have on society.
ABET contributes to social wellbeing
By improving literacy, ABET contributes to a country’ social wellbeing.
Civic benefits increase in countries with higher literacy rates. This is because individuals can make informed decisions and participate in community activities.
Crime levels are also lower in countries with higher levels of literacy and numeracy skills. There is ample evidence that demonstrates a close correlation between crime and illiteracy. Refer to https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJSE-07-2020-0448/full/pdf and https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09500782.2012.691516 for more interesting reading on the topic.
A literate population also provides social capital. Literate people tend to have more citizenship values and participate in volunteer activities. In addition, they are inclined to be more trusting and have higher racial tolerance. This is especially important in a diverse country such as South Africa with its complicated past.
Educated families are also able to make greater use of their resources and have a future orientated vision.
Literate individuals also tend to be happier because they are able to make better life decisions. They can also more easily pursue new interests and take advantage of opportunities because they have the resources to do so.
There is also a strong correlation between the literacy and health of a population. Literate citizens are able to access information that enables them to live healthier lifestyles. Refer to https://www.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/learn/Understanding.html for more reading on health literacy.
Learn more about Triple E Training and our quality adult literacy training and adult numeracy training programmes. www.eee.co.za
