Population (approx.)1,215 millionLiteracy StatisticsOverall: 81.5%Male: 89.9%Female: 72.7%GNP Per Capita (US Dollars)$3,330Source: The World Bank Development Indicators, 1996; CIA World Fact Book 1997 |
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Country Report presented by Zhang TaoIn response to the call of the World Conference on Education for All, the Chinese government placed literacy at the head of its educational development agenda. Along with a 9-year compulsory schooling plan for all school-age children, the eradication of illiteracy among China's adult population is a top priority. To date, the goal of universalizing 9-year compulsory schooling has been realized in six provinces and municipalities and in 1,882 county-level administrative units, covering an area inhabited by 65% of the nation's population. In addition, from 1992-1997, 28 million illiterate young and middle-aged adults have learned basic reading and writing skills. One of the successful literacy programs developed in China promotes girls' education in the Gansu Province where participation in education by girls has been chronically low. Over the last decade, girls' education has been promoted at the local level through community mobilization and local non-formal classes. Overall, increased awareness and the involvement of parents and community members have been key to the initiation and success of these programs. Flexible schedules allow girls to attend classes during slow farming seasons or when they are free from family duties. The curriculum is based on the needs of the learners, and instruction makes use of popular folk songs that are already known to the girls. The literacy programs have also been coupled with popular local income-generating skill training, such as weaving, sewing, and embroidery. To motivate the girls, success stories from literate women in the local community have been compiled, and literacy prizes have been established to encourage outstanding students. |
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