The World of Child 6 Billion
EDUCATION

Because you are reading this right now, you are most likely literate. You can read a newspaper, figure your change at a store, and follow simple written directions. In industrialized countries, including the U.S., 98 percent of men and 96 percent of women are literate. In less economically developed countries, these figures are only 79 percent and 62 percent, respectively. These figures are even lower -- 60 percent and 38 percent -- in the world's least economically developed countries.*

Basic education is crucial for sustained economic development and for reducing poverty, preserving the environment, and promoting equality.

The Dominican Republic's literacy rate of 82 percent for men and women is considered relatively high. Yet the country is faced with major educational problems: scarce classroom materials, poorly trained and paid teachers, and overcrowded classrooms. For every 100 children entering primary school, only 58 finish fifth grade and only 22 complete high school in 13 years or less. People age 25 and older average only five years of schooling.

In response, the Ministry of Education, individual school districts, and Peace Corps Volunteers are working together on community education projects. Volunteers work to improve the quality and accessibility of education by holding teacher training programs and establishing resource centers for educational materials. Other Volunteers teach skills that are necessary to plan, implement, and evaluate community education projects. Peace Corps Volunteers also help construct and shore up school buildings.

*The United Nations includes 48 countries in its "least developed" category. These countries are a subset of the economically developing countries.

Presentation Guide

Graphs:

• Secondary School Enrollment Ratios in Major World Regions
• Secondary School Enrollment Ratios Over Time
• Adult Literacy Rates in Major World Regions
• Improvements in Adult Literacy Rates Since 1985
  
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