Through continued investment in the ABET Levels, companies are helping to fight high illiteracy in South Africa. This is a significant contribution to our society at large. Bear in mind the large socio-economic impact of low literacy. It affects all of us and continues to hold the entire nation back. Illiteracy stifles economic growth; fuels inequality and poverty; and erodes the very social fabric of a country.
ABET Levels are a solution
The ABET Levels are a solution to high illiteracy rates in South Africa. This can be described as a national crisis and the situation is deteriorating further.
According to this report, embargoed_2023_reading_panel_background_report_7_feb_2023.pdf (groundup.org.za), South Africa has regressed in literacy education. Fewer primary school children can read to understand now than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also notes that most children entering grade two do not know the alphabet.
The report was authored by Nic Spaull, a renowned education economist [https://nicspaull.com]. The panel of researchers were led by former Deputy President, Phumzile Nlambo-Ngcuka. Refer to Former Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, 2013–2021 | About us: Directorate | UN Women – Headquarters].
In the Western Cape, the share of grade 4 children who cannot read for meaning has increased to at least 82%. This stood at 78% in 2016.
Meanwhile, about 60% of children in the North West have not learned most of the letters of the alphabet by the end of grade 1. This is according to data from the Department of Education’s Early Grade Reading Study as a source cited in the report. It tracked the progress made by children attending more than 200 North West schools in acquiring literacy skills over more than seven years. Refer to Early Grade Reading Study (education.gov.za) for more information on the topic.
By the end of grade 2, more than 30% of children still do not know all the letters of the alphabet. According to the report, these children are “perpetually behind” and, therefore, in “catch-up mode”. Sadly, many will not keep pace and, therefore, leave school prematurely. Poor performance is one of the reasons so many South African children drop out of school. Increase in number of out-of-school children and youth in SA in 2020 | Statistics South Africa (statssa.gov.za) provides more reading on the topic.
ABET Levels become more important
Considering this, the ABET Levels will become even more important now and in the many years to come.
There are already millions of unemployed youths who do not have the fundamental skills that are needed to participate in a modern economy. Those that are fortunate to secure employment, will be confined to general and mundane work that pays low wages. Others may have to work in the informal industries for survival. These casual jobs do not provide fixed-term contracts and benefits. In both cases, their earnings will struggle to keep pace with rampant inflation and the rising cost of living.
The most worrying aspect of the study is that there seems to be no real plan in place to improve literacy levels of children. DHET PSET Monitor Report – Factsheet.indd provides more reading on the severity of adult illiteracy in the country. In 2020, 3,7-million South African adults were still illiterate more than 20 years after democracy.
ABET is the only way that these individuals will be able to obtain basic English literacy and numeracy skills once they have slipped through the cracks. These skills are required to effectively function in all aspects of life. They are not only skills that individuals use in the workplace or to secure employment. However, improved performance of staff is a sound enough motivation for companies to continue to invest in ABET for their employees.
ABET Levels impart health literacy
The ABET Levels also impart health literacy skills. Health literacy is the degree to which citizens of the country can obtain, process and understand basic health information and services. This is so that they can make appropriate health-related decisions.
People who are unable to read cannot adhere to important instructions for taking prescribed medicines. They are also unable to follow medical advice for the prevention and management of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes. This leads to increased morbidity and mortality rates and hospitalisation for longer periods. It also results in negative health behaviours, such as smoking; abuse of illegal substances; and other poor lifestyle choices.
The use of the Health Literacy Test for Limited Literacy (HELT-LL) to accurately measure the health literacy of South Africans was recently validated. There was previously no appropriate health literacy measure for the educationally diverse South African population. Systems used to date to measure health literacy have emanated from developed countries. HELT-LL assessed the health literacy of 210 isiXhosa-speaking patients admitted to primary health care facilities. The system has varied cognitive demand and assesses functional literacy skills and local burden of disease knowledge. It also includes self-reported questions. The Multidimensional Screener of Functional Health Literacy was used as the comparator.
Notably, almost a third of the study population or 32,4% had inadequate health literacy skills. Only 17,6% achieved an adequate health literacy rating. 65,9% of the patients with inadequate health literacy had minimal formal schooling of between 0 and four years. The HELT-LL score had a close association with education (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001) and English proficiency (p < 0.001). Significant concurrent validity with the MSFHL was also established. Refer to Full article: Health literacy test for limited literacy populations (HELT-LL): Validation in South Africa (tandfonline.com) for more reading on this topic.
ABET Levels improve lives
There are other ways that the ABET Levels help to improve lives.
Research has shown that an increase in schooling reduces the risk of HIV infection. A study was undertaken of women in 32 countries to determine the impact of literacy on health. It demonstrated that literate women are equipped with the knowledge that they need to safeguard themselves against HIV infection. They are three times more likely to know that a person in seemingly good health can be infected than illiterate individuals. Illiterate individuals were also four times more likely to know how to protect themselves against infection. Refer to The Social and economic impact of illiteracy: analytical model and pilot study – UNESCO Digital Library for more reading on the topic.
As many as 5,7-million South Africans are infected with HIV. This means that the country has one of the highest numbers of infected adults and children in the world. The epidemic is generalised across the country’s population and primarily driven by sexual transmission.
Infant mortality rates also drop significantly when women have received an education. This is especially the case if they have completed their basic schooling. It is estimated that infant mortality decreases by 9% for every year of education attained by women.
South Africa also has a very high infant immortality rate. In 2021, it was estimated at 24,1 per 1 000 live births. The main causes of maternal and child mortality in South Africa are HIV and Aids, as well as pregnancy and childbirth complications. This is in addition to neonatal and childhood illness, in addition to malnutrition. These are all related to great inequality, which is being fuelled by, among other factors, illiteracy. Refer to Overview of Maternal, Neonatal and Child Deaths in South Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, Progress and Future Prospects – PMC (nih.gov).
ABET Levels address rising inequality
The ABET Levels help to address rising inequality.
According to research, individuals with the lowest literacy scores are 16,5 times more likely to have received public financial aid in the past year. This is compared to those individuals who have high literacy skills. Individuals with poor literacy skills are also more likely to be in the lowest measured wage group.
Almost 16-million South African citizens are receiving welfare. This includes the 18-million traditional recipients of state welfare, such as grants for old age, child support and disability. The introduction of a R350 grant during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the number of individuals dependent upon state handouts. A further 11-million South Africans have since received welfare. This is an immense responsibility for government and a tremendous burden for taxpayers. South Africa currently spends 3,3% of its gross-domestic product on welfare, primarily for child support and pensions.
According to a World Bank report, transforming the labour market in South Africa is key to reducing inequality. This is considering that the share of inequality explained by education and employment has grown between 2006 and 2015. It now even eclipses race, which was always an important factor in explaining inequality. Skilled South African employees earn five time more than their unskilled counterparts. Even middle-income earners struggle to keep abreast of increasing living costs and inflation. What then of their counterparts who perform semi- and low-skilled work? This research brings to the fore the significant mismatch between demand and supply for skilled labour. Refer to South Africa: Better Education & Spatial Integration Crucial for Reduced Inequality, Job Creation (worldbank.org).
ABET fights poverty
By imparting literacy skills, ABET fights poverty.
According to research, if all citizens in low-income countries had basic reading skills, 171-million people would be able to escape poverty. This is considering that they would have the proficiencies they need to secure well-paid jobs in a modern economy.
One in five South Africans currently live in poverty. According to the United Nations’ Human Development Report, 18,9% of the country’s population – 11-million South Africans – live on less than R28 a day. This is about R800 a month, supplemented by welfare grants. Worryingly, many of these citizens are stuck in multi-dimensional poverty. They also do not have access to water, sanitation, electricity, healthcare, education or other essential basic services. A significant contributor to this dire situation is high unemployment. This is especially among the vast number of South Africans who do not have fundamental skills. Many of these individuals are young previously disadvantaged citizens who have not completed their basic education. They, therefore, have nothing much in the way of skills to offer an economy that is transforming into being a service orientated one. Less job opportunities are, therefore, be created for general factory, mine, agricultural and construction workers.
ABET Levels fight crime
By equipping individuals with fundamental skills, the ABET Levels also help to fight crime.
There is a strong correlation between crime and illiteracy. This is considering that many people who do not have fundamental skills are unable to earn a living. They, therefore, have no other choice but to resort to a life of crime. Others may have chosen a life of crime because their illiteracy made them feel ostracised from society. It is not unusual for people with low literacy skills to lack confidence and have low self-esteem. They tend to avoid any situation that will expose their shortcomings.
Interestingly, many prisoners decide to participate in ABET programmes. According to a study, they do this to avoid recidivism. Refer to Why prisoners pursue adult education and training: Perceptions of prison instructors | Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training (journals.co.za). Completing ABET enables convicts to acquire the skills that they need to secure employment after their release.
South Africa has extremely high crime levels. There are over 100 000 South Africans incarcerated in our more than 200 prisons. According to the latest statistics, crime continues to increase. Common robbery is up by 21,2%; general assault by 12%; and assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm by 8,7%. Robbery with aggravated circumstances has increased by 10,8%.
Meanwhile, illiterate adults are also more susceptible to crime. This is considering that they are unable to access information that will help them to live safer and more secure lifestyles.
ABET Levels imparts political literacy
ABET Levels impart political literacy skills. This is important to safeguard our democracy.
Educated citizens can make informed decisions when voting and will not be that easily swayed by politicians. They will also hold their leaders accountable for what they promise, say and do. This helps democracy to flourish in countries.
With the correct knowledge, skills and attitudes, citizens also understand the importance of and know how to participate in public events and debate. Their ability to understand conceptual knowledge and facts enables them to develop citizen competence. They can, therefore, hone the skills that they need to participate in political reasoning. This is in addition to acting with other citizens to address political problems. These active citizens make a meaningful contribution to society and their communities.
A leading provider of ABET Levels
Triple E Training is a leading provider of all ABET Levels.
For more than 30 years, we have been working with many companies to help break the back of illiteracy in the country.
Illiteracy is one of the largest stumbling blocks in the way of building a better South Africa for all citizens.
We look forward to helping you to make a substantial contribution to South Africa’s economic growth and development. Learn more about Triple E Training and our quality ABET for workplace and community training. www.eee.co.za
